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Maximize your checking: Compare high-yield checking accounts, no-fee checking accounts and more.

Explore checking basics

A woman uses mobile banking while eating.
From no fees to online bill pay, here are the must-have checking account features.
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If you overdraw your account frequently, then overdraft protection could be a good way to avoid hefty overdraft fees.
close up of hands signing a check
Checks aren’t as ubiquitous as they once were, but you may still have to write one.

Get started with a checking account

Checking

Types of checking accounts

Whether you’re making payments online, using a debit card, or writing a physical check, a checking account is a necessity for most people. Here are some of the most-widely available types of checking accounts offered at banks and credit unions.

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Checking

Available balance vs. current balance

Learn about the two separate balances you may see when looking at your bank account.

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Checking account fees

Learn about the different kinds of checking account fees and what you can do to avoid them.

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Checking

Bank account alerts to protect your money

Explore the types of bank account alerts you can set up to help you stay informed about your finances whenever and wherever you are.

 

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Experts in all things banking

Our expert writers and editors bring you timely news and reliable information - backed by data and first-hand experience.

About Bankrate's team
Greg McBride

Greg McBride, CFA Arrow Right Icon

Chief Financial Analyst

Sarah Foster

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Principal U.S. Economy Reporter

Mark Hamrick

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Senior Economic Analyst

Latest articles

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Finding the account number on a check is easy — if you know where to look.
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Balancing your checking account may sound dated, but it still makes sense.
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Online checking accounts stand out for different features. Here’s our top picks.
close up of hands signing a check
Checks aren’t as ubiquitous as they once were, but you may still have to write one.
Young woman withdrawing money using phone at the ATM machine on the street in Budapest in Hungary.
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Capital One Bank signage in New York City
Banks are cutting overdraft fees in response to consumers and regulators’ demands.
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Opening a business checking account isn’t as simple as opening a personal checking account. Here’s what to know.
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Losing your wallet can be reduced to a minor inconvenience if you know what to do.
Woman watering flowers
Online banks typically offer savings accounts with much higher yields than brick-and-mortar banks.
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You may have to do some research, but it’s not hard to find a decent savings account rate.
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Working with less can keep women from saving, investing and growing wealth.
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Here’s how to use cash to help you stay within your budget each month.
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Use these strategies to keep your deposits safe when they top FDIC limits.
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Here’s what you need to know about tapping into your emergency fund.
A man gets into a car.
Typically high-net-worth individuals have a net worth of at least $1 million.
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That’s even as the latest data shows that wages are rising faster than prices.
Young Woman Checking Her Finances At Home
Finding the account number on a check is easy — if you know where to look.
loan manager with paperwork talking with client in bank branch
The most impressive banks make it easy to interact both on old and new channels.
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Savers, here are strategies to invest in CDs.
exterior of Bank of America branch building
Knowing bank holiday schedules can help you avoid delays on necessary transactions.
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Get the latest rates on top-yielding money market accounts.
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Check out the latest CD rates from Bankrate’s weekly survey of banks and thrifts.
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