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Best checking accounts of August 2026

Updated August 26, 2026

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The best checking accounts offer easy access to your money, a large ATM network and don’t charge pesky fees. Some of the best accounts also offer perks, such as cash back, a decent annual percentage yield (APY) or ATM fee reimbursements. Bankrate reviewed and rated checking accounts from over 100 banks and credit unions based on their fees, balance requirements, funds access, perks and more to help you choose the best checking account for you.

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Banks with the best checking accounts for August 2026

Note: APYs may have changed since they were last updated and may vary by region for some products. Bankrate's editorial team validates this information regularly, typically biweekly. Bankrate only includes FDIC banks or NCUA credit unions in the editorial listings below.

 

CIT Bank

Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5.0 Bankrate score
  • Annual percentage yield

    0.10%
  • Min. deposit to open

    $100

Why CIT Bank?

CIT Bank offers an online checking account that earns interest on all balances, though you'll need $25,000 or more to earn the top APY. The eChecking account comes with a number of features, including ATM fee reimbursements and Zelle capabilities. One of the top highlights, and what makes it an incredibly accessible account, is that there are no monthly service fees, overdraft fees or fees for online transfers. You will need at least $100 to open the account.

  • Pros
    • Earns interest on all balances.
    • Reimburses up to $30 a month of ATM fees charged by other banks.
    • Peer-to-peer payments with Zelle.
    • No monthly service fees or overdraft fees.
    Cons
    • Opening deposit of $100 required.
    • At least $25,000 required to earn the top APY.

Quontic Bank

Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5.0 Bankrate score
  • Annual percentage yield

    1.10%
  • Min. deposit to open

    $100

Why Quontic Bank?

You’ll need $100 to open Quontic’s High Interest Checking account, a solid option with up to 1.10% APY and no monthly or overdraft fees. Quontic also provides access to over 90,000 fee-free ATMs so you can access your funds with ease. To earn the APY, you must make 10 qualifying debit card purchases — of at least $10 each — during your statement cycle.

  • Pros
    • Earn up to 1.10% APY on all balances.
    • No monthly service fees.
    • Large network of over 90,000 fee-free ATMs.
    • Peer-to-peer payments with Zelle available.
    • No overdraft or foreign collection fees.
    Cons
    • Minimum deposit required.
    • Must make qualifying purchases to earn more than 0.01% APY.

UFB Direct

Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5.0 Bankrate score
  • Annual percentage yield

    2.00%
  • Min. deposit to open

    $0

Why UFB Direct?

UFB Direct offers its interest-bearing Freedom Checking account with no minimum and no monthly fee — and an incredible 2.00% APY with no requirements to earn other than a balance greater than $0. When paired with the Portfolio Savings or money market account, you may also be able to boost your savings APY by up to 0.20% by completing a number of qualifying actions.

  • Pros
    • High earning return on all balances.
    • Over 90,000 in-network ATMs and some ATM fee reimbursements.
    • No minimum balance and no monthly fees.
    • Boost savings or money market account.
    • Free non-rush debit card replacement.
    Cons
    • NSF fee of $25 per transaction, up to $75 a day.

Bask Bank

Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5.0 Bankrate score
  • Annual percentage yield

    1.00%
  • Min. deposit to open

    $0

Why Bask Bank?

Bask Bank’s Interest Checking account earns the same competitive APY on all balances, and it charges no monthly maintenance fees. There’s no minimum deposit requirement, but the bank may close your account if you don’t fund it within 15 days. Customers have access to a large fee-free ATM network and refunds on ATM surcharges at Allpoint ATMs.

  • Pros
    • More than 55,000 free ATMs.
    • No monthly service fee.
    • Earns competitive interest rate.
    • Customers have access to peer-to-peer payment network Zelle.
    Cons
    • Outgoing, manual domestic wires cost $35 each.

Capital One

Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5.0 Bankrate score
  • Annual percentage yield

    0.10%
  • Min. deposit to open

    $0

Why Capital One?

While its 0.10% APY is modest compared to some competitors on this list, the Capital One 360 Checking account stands out for the ability to deposit cash for free at thousands of retail locations, including CVS and Walgreens. It's an especially good fit for customers who want the flexibility of online banking without giving up the option of in-person support if you're in select states where Capital One offers branches.

  • Pros
    • Earns some interest.
    • No monthly fees.
    • Your first order of checks is free.
    • 70,000+ ATM network.
    • Access to early direct deposit.
    • More than 250 branches in eight states and Washington, D.C., as well as cafe-style locations in various states.

    Cons
    • No paper statements.
    • Cash deposits are limited to $1,500 per day and $5,000 per month in stores.

NBKC Bank

Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5.0 Bankrate score
  • Annual percentage yield

    1.75%
  • Min. deposit to open

    $0

Why NBKC Bank?

The biggest draw to online-only NBKC Bank's Everything Account is its competitive rate, which you earn without needing to meet any criteria. The account has no monthly service charge or overdraft fees and allows you to deposit cash. You also get access to over 90,000 fee-free ATMs and monthly ATM fee reimbursements of up to $12 per month.

  • Pros
    • No fees for overdraft, returned items, stop payments, cashier’s checks and other services.
    • Wide network of fee-free ATMs across the country.
    • Reimburses up to $12 per month for out-of-network ATM fees. 
    • Cash deposits available at branches and ATMs.

    Cons
    • Isn’t on the Zelle peer-to-peer payment network.

Alliant Credit Union

Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5.0 Bankrate score
  • Annual percentage yield

    0.25%
  • Min. deposit to open

    $25

Why Alliant Credit Union?

Alliant Credit Union’s High-Rate Checking account holders earn 0.25% APY by opting into e-statements and setting up one electronic deposit per month. The account doesn’t have monthly or overdraft fees and provides access to a large ATM network (and will reimburse you up to $20 per month for using out-of-network ATMs). Alliant Credit Union is easy to join for anyone, despite its status as a credit union. You'll be required to open an Alliant Savings Account to join, which you can do at the same time as you open a checking account.

  • Pros
    • The account earns some interest if you meet certain requirements.
    • Fee-free access to more than 80,000 ATMs.
    • $20 per month in ATM surcharge rebates.
    • The first box of checks is free.
    • Early direct deposit (up to two days early).
    Cons
    • Must open Alliant’s High-Rate savings account at the same time. 
    • Have to keep the savings account open with at least $5 in it to stay a member.

Happen Bank

Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5.0 Bankrate score
  • Annual percentage yield

    1.00%
  • Min. deposit to open

    $0

Why Happen Bank?

Happen Bank's LevelUp Checking account offers a unique combination of interest earnings and rewards — but you'll need to meet certain requirements to earn them. While there is no minimum balance required to open the account, you only earn interest if you maintain $2,500 in the account. You'll also earn 1.00% cash back on certain debit card purchases when you set up a monthly direct deposit.

  • Pros
    • Earn 1.00% APY on balances of $2,500 or more.
    • Earn 1.00% cash back on specific everyday spending categories with a direct deposit.
    • Unlimited ATM fee rebates. 
    Cons
    • Must maintain at least $2,500 in your account to earn interest.

SoFi

Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5.0 Bankrate score
  • Annual percentage yield

    0.50%
  • Min. deposit to open

    $0

Why SoFi?

SoFi's Online Checking account’s 0.50% APY isn't the highest available but it applies to all balances. Note that when you sign up for a SoFi checking account, the bank will also automatically open a savings account in your name, which earns a solid interest rate too, if you meet certain requirements. SoFi is also currently offering a checking account bonus of up to $400 to new members who enroll and meet direct deposit requirements.

  • Pros
    • Potential to earn a bonus when direct deposit requirements are met.
    • Overdrafts will be covered up to $50 with no fees when your account is set up to receive a direct deposit of at least $1,000 per month.
    • Early direct deposit is offered.
    Cons
    • Its savings account is compulsory.

TAB Bank

Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5.0 Bankrate score
  • Annual percentage yield

    2.75%
  • Min. deposit to open

    $0

Why TAB Bank?

TAB's Spend account comes with a top-notch rate of 2.75% APY and 1% cash back on debit card purchases — and there are no activity requirements to unlock those benefits. The account requires no minimum opening deposit, and customers can make fee-free withdrawals at MoneyPass ATMs nationwide, making this account a rare find that combines high yields, rewards and few fees.

  • Pros
    • Earns a highly competitive APY.
    • Earn cash back on purchases made using the account’s debit card.

    Cons
    • Doesn’t reimburse any ATM surcharges assessed by other banks or ATM owners. 

Zynlo Bank

Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5.0 Bankrate score
  • Annual percentage yield

    2.00%
  • Min. deposit to open

    $0

Why Zynlo Bank?

ZYNLO's More Spending account earns a top-notch 2% APY with no minimum balance requirement and no maintenance fee. If you link it to a ZYNLO Tomorrow Savings account, the bank rounds up debit card purchases, transfers that amount to your savings account, and matches it (100% if you have an average daily balance of at least $3,000, or 25% if not).

  • Pros
    • Unusually high earning return on all balances.
    • Fee-free access to Allpoint ATM network.
    • Mobile deposit and peer-to-peer payments available.
    • Early direct deposit allows access to your paycheck up to two days early.
    • No overdraft, service or debit card replacement fees.

    Cons
    • No checks (though you can order your own).
    • No cash deposits.

Ally Bank

Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5.0 Bankrate score
  • Annual percentage yield

    0.10%
  • Min. deposit to open

    $0

Why Ally Bank?

Ally Bank offers a top-tier digital experience and accounts that generally come with few fees. Its checking account — which Ally calls its Spending account — earns a little interest on all balances. It doesn’t charge monthly maintenance or overdraft fees, and account holders can access more than 75,000 ATMs nationwide to make withdrawals, while receiving up to $10 in ATM fee reimbursements each statement cycle.

  • Pros
    • Earns interest on all balances.
    • Large fee-free ATM network and ATM fee reimbursements.
    • Mobile deposit and Zelle available. 
    • 24/7 customer service support by phone.
    • Early direct deposit allows you to access your paycheck up to two days early.
    Cons
    • Can only deposit cash at Walmart.

The competition: Other checking accounts you can consider

On Bankrate's list of best checking accounts, we surface the highest-rated checking accounts from the banks we review that are also available to most people nationwide. But that doesn't mean that these accounts will suit everyone's needs or that there aren't other great accounts out there. Below, you'll find a few more contenders to consider.

  • American Express Rewards Checking: You have to already have an American Express credit card or a different existing account with the bank to open this account, so it didn't make our list based on this availability barrier, but it does get a good Bankrate score as it has few fees, no minimum deposit and earns a solid APY. Plus, you get American Express rewards points on qualifying debit card purchases.
  • Chime Checking: Chime is a financial technology company, not a bank (which is why it doesn't make our list) but it does offer a checking account which has no monthly fees and no overdraft fees. Chime is a good option for a second-chance checking account because it does not check your previous banking history as a condition of opening the account. Note that your funds at Chime are covered by FDIC insurance through Chime’s banking partners and certain conditions must be met for pass-through insurance to apply.
  • Chase Total Checking: This account's Bankrate score isn't nearly as high as the others on our list, but if you want in-person banking, Chase is likely a good option as they have branches in 48 states. But watch out for a super high monthly maintenance fee. Chase is also known for having checking account bonuses for new customers.

What to look for in a checking account

  • On occasion, you may find yourself accidentally spending more money than what’s in your checking account. If this is the case, find an account that allows overdrafts but won’t charge you hefty overdraft fees. Many banks don’t charge a fee at all, while the average overdraft fee in 2025 was $26.77, Bankrate's Checking Account and ATM Fee Study found.

    Learn more: What is overdraft protection (and do you need it)?

  • Some banks will offer cash-back rewards on purchases you make with a debit card. These rewards may be limited to a certain amount of cash back per month. Rewards checking accounts may also offer interest, though it’s often going to be less than what you’d earn in a high-yield savings account.

  • Some banks will pay you hundreds of dollars to get you to open a checking account, but these bonuses usually come with strings attached. Bankrate can help you find the best bank account sign-up bonuses.

  • If you use ATMs, it pays to find a checking account at an institution that provides access to ATMs that don’t charge you fees or reimburses you for using out-of-network ATMs. You can often avoid ATM fees by choosing a brick-and-mortar bank that offers thousands of fee-free ATMs nationwide, or an online bank that belongs to a wide third-party ATM network.

  • Bankrate's ATM fee study found 47% of non-interest-bearing accounts are free and don't charge monthly service fees. The majority of non-interest accounts will waive fees under certain conditions, such as direct deposit.
    The average monthly service fee for interest checking accounts in 2025 is $15.65, while the average monthly fee for noninterest checking is $5.47. 

What to know about checking account fees

Using a checking account can be expensive. The good news is you can find checking accounts that don't charge monthly maintenance fees as well as make it easy to avoid other common tolls. Here's what you need to know.

Learn more

Compare: Standard vs. best checking accounts

Feature category Traditional checking accounts Top-tier checking accounts
Interest or rewards May earn minimal interest (if any) May earn interest (sometimes substantial); often offer perks like sign-up bonuses or cash back
Fees Charges monthly fees (though with ways to waive), overdraft charges, out-of-network ATM fees No monthly, overdraft, insufficient funds or ATM fees
Extra features Bill pay, limited ATM access, early direct deposit, access to peer-to-peer platforms such as Zelle Early direct deposit, access to peer-to-peer platforms such as Zelle, spending insights or roundup savings tools, out-of-network ATM rebates
User experience Often offer in-person customer service, highly-rated mobile apps Often online-only, with highly-rated mobile apps and extended phone customer service hours (e.g., 24/7)

Deciding between branch access or online-only checking

Many of the best checking accounts on our list come from online-only banks because those banks tend to charge fewer fees and offer more perks. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't open an account at a brick-and-mortar bank if it has features you want. Be sure you can avoid service fees that would eat into your balance and that your funds are easy to access. 

You can also consider keeping two checking accounts to enjoy the benefits of both kinds of banking — online and in person. 

Bankrate staff insights

"I have my checking and savings account with SoFi, which is an online-only bank. This was not the primary factor when choosing, but it has been a plus to the SoFi banking experience. I prefer the ease of online handlings and haven’t had any issues with quick customer support or depositing checks."

Bankrate Staff Member

“My main checking account is Charles Schwab Bank, which is online. I keep a small checking account at a brick and mortar bank in case I need a signature guarantee or cash in certain denominations.”

Bankrate Staff Member

How to open a checking account: what you need 

Identification
Most banks and credit unions require two forms of identification to open an account. A Social Security card, passport, state ID or driver's license are the most commonly required documents.
Minimum deposit
If an account requires a minimum deposit — which not all do — it's typically between $10 and $25 or more. 
Address
You'll need to provide proof of address when opening an account. Utility bills, lease agreements and credit card statements can work well.
Age
It may be difficult to get a checking account under age 18. That said, opening a teen account, a joint account or a custodial account can be an option for minors.

Checking accounts at credit unions vs. banks

When it comes to checking accounts, the offerings from credit unions and banks are often similar enough, but the institutions themselves differ. Commonly, banks are for-profit corporations owned by shareholders, while credit unions are member-owned, not-for-profit entities. Credit unions are also known for involvement in their community, including providing loans to small businesses.

Another area where they differ is in who can open an account. While a bank doesn’t often have many restrictions over who can open accounts, membership in a credit union may be limited to certain people based on where they live, work or worship. 

How much should I keep in my checking account?

Since your checking account is likely the account from which you pay your bills and make debit card purchases, it’s important to keep enough money in there to cover these expenses. In addition, it often helps to keep some extra money in the account in the event your expenses are slightly higher than anticipated in a given month. 

Beyond your living expenses and a small cushion, it’s often best to keep additional funds in a savings account that earns a competitive APY. This is because many checking accounts don’t earn interest, and those that do bear interest often earn less than you can get from top-yielding savings accounts.

Your checking account is the equivalent of a financial airport. Money is coming and going quickly, and you shouldn't plan to turn it into a hotel stay. If you like to arrive at the airport with a few extra hours to spare, you probably like to keep extra money in your checking account. You only need enough to cover your monthly expenses, but it can pay to have a little extra as a security blanket
Stephen Kates, CFP®, Bankrate financial analyst

Checking account FAQs

  • Yes, you can open a checking account online — though it depends on the bank or credit union. In many cases, opening an account online is quicker and more convenient than visiting a branch.

  • While there’s no limit to the number of checking accounts you can have, it's generally practical to have one or two per person (if you want both an online and brick-and-mortar account), or perhaps more if a couple prefers a joint checking account plus individual accounts. In addition, if you have a business, you should keep a separate account for that to track business income and expenses separately from everyday household expenditures.

  • If you're tempted to sign up for a new checking account to score a bonus, read the fine print first. The exact requirements to earn a bonus will vary based on the bank, and you may need to meet a minimum balance or number of transactions to qualify for the bonus. You can explore your best options for checking account bonuses with Bankrate to see if there’s one that’s a good fit.

  • Overdraft protection is a service banks provide to cover purchases that you can’t pay for due to a too-low account balance. But signing up for overdraft protection may not be a great idea if your bank charges for the privilege. The average overdraft fee is $26.77 per item overdrawn, according to Bankrate's 2025 Checking Account and ATM Fee Study. Some banks may refund the fee for infrequent offenders, and others might simply decline the transaction.

    Some banks provide free overdraft transfers from a linked account, such as a savings account, to cover an overdrawing transaction. Depending on the bank, you can also sign up for alerts if your balance falls to a specific amount.

  • Opening or using a checking account typically doesn't impact your credit score, because these accounts aren't tied to borrowing money. Instead, checking accounts are used to manage the funds you already have, and activity like deposits, bill payments and debit card use isn't reported to the major credit bureaus. 

    That said, your banking behavior is still being tracked — just not by the credit bureaus. When you apply for a new checking account, most banks and credit unions will review your history through ChexSystems or Early Warning Services, LLC, which are consumer reporting agencies focused specifically on deposit account activity. These systems track issues like overdrafts, bounced checks, unpaid fees or suspected fraud. A negative report can make it harder to get approved for a standard account. 

    • Routing number: Along the bottom of your checks are three sets of numbers. The first nine digits, between symbols resembling colons, make up the routing number. They identify the financial institution associated with an account and are often prominently displayed on the bank or credit union’s webpage. You need these numbers to set up direct deposits or automatic payments.
    • Account number: To the right of the routing numbers is the account number, which is unique for each account holder.
    • Check number: The last set of numbers reflects the check number, which you'll also find in the top right-hand corner of a check.
    • Purpose: A checking account is designed for everyday spending, while a savings account is meant for for building money over time.
    • Access: Checking accounts offer easy access to funds via debit cards, checks and online payments. In contrast, savings accounts don't usually come with a debit or ATM card, and withdrawals out of the account may be limited to a certain number each month.
    • Interest: Savings accounts usually earn higher interest than checking accounts.

Meet our Bankrate experts

Karen Bennett
Written by
Karen Bennett Karen Bennett
Consumer Banking Reporter
Read more from Karen

Karen Bennett is a senior consumer banking reporter at Bankrate where she uses her years of banking and personal finance experience to help inform readers about money-related decisions. She’s been a reporter at Bankrate since 2021.
Expertise
  • Consumer banking
  • Savings accounts

Rhys Subitch
Edited by
Rhys Subitch
Editor, Deposits
Greg McBride, CFA
Reviewed by
Greg McBride, CFA
Former Chief Financial Analyst, Personal Finance

How we choose the best checking accounts

Bankrate researches over 100 banks, including some of the largest financial institutions, online-only banks, regional banks and credit unions with both open and restrictive membership policies.

To find the best checking accounts, we rated these institutions on their checking account fees, minimum deposit requirements, ATM network, overdraft policies, APY offerings and more. Banks and credit unions receive penalties against their overall scores for each consent decree, penalty in a case brought by a federal regulator or in a certified, federal class-action lawsuit, or adverse federal judgment for harming deposits customers.

The best checking accounts have few fees, no or low minimum deposit requirements, a large ATM network, forgiving overdraft policies and may offer some other perks, like early direct deposit, interest or cash back. The highest-rated checking accounts from broadly-available banks and credit unions made our list. Learn more about how we choose the best banking products and our methodology for reviewing banks

  • Accordia Bank, Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Alto, America First Credit Union, American Express National Bank, Axos Bank, Banesco USA, Bank of America, Bank5 Connect, BankUnited Direct, Barclays Bank, Bask Bank, BMO Bank, Boeing Employees’ Credit Union, Bread Savings, BrioDirect, BTG Pactual, Capital One, Cash App, CFG Bank, Charles Schwab Bank, Chase Bank, CIBC Bank USA, CIT Bank, Citibank, Citizens Access, Citizens Bank, Colorado Federal Savings Bank, Connexus Credit Union, Credit One Bank, Customers Bank, Discover Bank, E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley, Emigrant Bank, EverBank, Fifth Third Bank, First Citizens Bank, First Internet Bank, First National Bank of America, First Tech Credit Union, FNBO Direct, Forbright Bank, FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, Golden 1 Credit Union, Happen Bank, Huntington National Bank, Jenius Bank, KeyBank, Lake Michigan Credit Union, Live Oak Bank, M&T Bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Mountain America Credit Union, MySavingsDirect, Navy Federal Credit Union, NBKC Bank, North American Savings Bank, Openbank, Patelco Credit Union, Peak Bank, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, PNC Bank, Popular Direct, Quontic Bank, Quorum Federal Credit Union, Regions Bank, Rising Bank, Salem Five Direct, Sallie Mae Bank, Santander Bank, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Security Service Federal Credit Union, SoFi, State Employees' Credit Union, Suncoast Credit Union, Synchrony Bank, TAB Bank, TD Bank, Texas Capital Bank, The Federal Savings Bank, Third Federal Savings and Loan, Truist Bank, UFB Direct, US Bank, USAA Bank, Valley Bank, Varo Bank, Vio Bank, Wells Fargo, Western State Bank, Zions Bank, ZYNLO Bank

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