Guide to Checking Accounts

Q: What do checking accounts do?

Consumers can use a checking account to manage their financial life by setting up direct deposits and by making electronic payments. Having a checking account gives account holders access to a debit card as well. Business bank accounts can also have checking accounts.

Q: Are bank accounts and checking accounts the same?

A checking account is also known as a bank account. These terms are used interchangeably, but it’s also common to refer to a bank account and be talking about an account that houses both a checking and savings account.

Q: Is a debit card the same as a checking account?

No, a debit card is not the same thing as a checking account. A debit card is a payment card that is linked to a checking account and payments are withdrawn from that checking account.

Jacqueline DeMarcoUpdated January 30, 2023

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Editor’s note: Lantern by SoFi seeks to provide content that is objective, independent and accurate. Writers are separate from our business operation and do not receive direct compensation from advertisers or partners. Read more about our Editorial Guidelines and How We Make Money.

Opening a checking account can make it a lot easier for consumers to keep their financial life secure. What is a checking account? Essentially, a checking account is a bank account designed to make it easy to keep money safe and accessible. Keep reading to learn more.

What Is a Checking Account?

A checking account is a bank account that makes it possible to manage everyday payments. With a checking account, the account holder can make regular cash deposits and withdrawals so that the funds they need to pay their bills and buy essentials like groceries and gas are easily accessible.

How Do Checking Accounts Work?

A checking account is designed to make it easy to deposit and withdraw cash frequently, unlike savings accounts that have limits on how often someone can withdraw cash. With a checking account, consumers can expect to make unlimited transactions each month. On the downside, checking accounts don’t earn interest on deposits like savings accounts do. When someone pays with a paper check, that transaction comes out of their checking account and nowadays it’s also possible to make electronic transfers from a checking account or to use a debit card or other form of contactless payment. Many consumers have their employers direct-deposit their paychecks into their checking account via electronic deposit, which saves them a trip to the bank every two weeks.

Pros and Cons of Checking Accounts

Like with any type of financial product, checking accounts have both advantages and disadvantages that are helpful to be aware of.

Pros

These are a few pros associated with checking accounts:

Payment flexibility via check, debit card, or electronic transfer
Can direct deposit paychecks
Makes bill payment simple
Federal insurance on deposits up to $250,000
Can access cash via ATMs

Cons

Some cons worth keeping in mind include:

Account fees may apply
Potential to overdraft
Can’t earn interest on deposits

Pros	Cons
• Payment flexibility • Direct deposit• Electronic bill payment• Federal insurance protects money• ATM access	• Some banks charge account fees• Overdrafting can lead to a fee• Deposits generally don’t earn interest

Types of Checking Accounts

There are a few different types of checking accounts that consumers have available to them.

Basic Checking

A basic checking account is what we previously described. Account holders can make frequent withdrawals and deposits and they can access their cash via a check, debit card, ATM, or electronic transfer. Account holders don’t earn interest on deposits.

Rewards Checking Accounts

While it isn’t all that common, there are some rewards checking accounts on the market that make it possible to earn cash back on debit card purchases. It’s more common to come across cash back rewards with credit cards.

High-Interest Checking Accounts

Again—most checking accounts don’t earn interest. However, there are some select checking accounts on the market that do earn interest on deposits, usually ranging from an APY of 1% to 4%.Recommended: What Are Premium Bank Accounts?

Senior Checking Accounts

A senior checking account is a normal checking account with perks like less fees and free checks to help keep seniors financially fit during retirement.

Student Checking Accounts

Student checking accounts are designed to meet the financial needs of college students, similar to a senior checking account, and often require proof of enrollment in an eligible college.

Checking Accounts for Minors

Minors can’t open checking accounts on their own, but most banks allow them to open a checking account with a joint account owner such as a parent or guardian. Some banks have checking accounts designed for children.

Second Chance Checking

Banks don’t have to allow new customers to open accounts if they have exhibited bad banking behavior in the past. A second chance checking account is designed to provide banking services to consumers who made banking missteps so they can rebuild a positive banking history. Recommended: Breaking Down Bank Account Types

Tips on Using a Checking Account

When using a checking account, there are some best practices that can be helpful to follow.

Overdrafts

Overdraft means the account holder spent more money than was in their account, typically by using a debit card. Luckily, banks cover this overspending to a certain extent (for smaller overdrafts) so the payment will clear, but do charge a fee for overdrawing whether the payment clears or not.

Debit Card

When someone opens a checking account, they gain access to a debit card. Before using a debit card, it’s helpful to confirm the account balance so an accidental overdraft doesn’t happen. A debit card can be a helpful card to have around in the event someone runs out of cash or doesn’t want to use a credit card.

Service Charges

Some checking accounts come with a monthly service fee (also known as an account maintenance fee), so it’s helpful to confirm what that fee is before opening an account. Some banks also charge a fee if the account holder’s balance falls below the required minimum, which is another reason it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the account balance.Recommended: Money Market vs Checking Account

5 Uses of Checking Accounts

Now let’s take a look at five common uses of checking accounts.

1. Making Direct Deposit

Having an employer direct deposit a paycheck into their checking account can save workers the hassle of having to take their paychecks to the bank to deposit them after every single payday.

2. Doing Wire Transfers

Consumers can use the funds in their checking account to create a domestic or international wire transfer which makes it possible to transfer money to another individual’s account or as a payment, such as a personal loan or mortgage loan payment.

3. Using ATMs

With a debit card that is linked to a checking account, consumers can use ATMs to withdraw cash when they can’t make it to the bank.

4. Paying Bills

Many consumers directly pay their bills from their checking account using electronic transfers.

5. Making Use of Cashier's Checks

A cashier's check is a very secure form of check payment that guarantees the recipient will receive their payment. Consumers often use cashier’s checks to make large transactions like buying a car. Recommended: Guide to Transaction Accounts

Choosing a Checking Account

Need help choosing a checking account? Keep these different factors in mind when comparison shopping.

Fees

First, look for a checking account that doesn’t charge fees for things like not maintaining a certain balance. Then look for an account that charges the least amount of fees for overdrafting and monthly maintenance to save as much as possible.

Number of ATMs

ATMs can be really convenient, but in order to use one for free it has to be in network with the consumer’s bank. See how many ATM locations a bank offers before opening an account to get an idea of how accessible their ATMs really are.

Rewards

They are less common, but if a consumer can find a checking account that offers cash back rewards, they can save money on everyday purchases made with their debit card.

Opening a Checking Account

It’s possible to open a checking account in-person at a local bank branch and in many cases it’s also an option to open one online whether the bank is an online only bank or has local branches. To open a checking account, applicants usually need to provide identifying documentation and a proof of address. They may also need to make a minimum deposit. Recommended: What Is Checkless Banking?

Can You Get By Without a Checking Account?

Most people find it challenging to manage their financial life and keep their money safe without a checking account. While it may be possible to go without one, that isn’t the most convenient route to take.

The Takeaway

Checking accounts offer a convenient way for consumers to deposit and withdraw cash, while keeping it safe. It’s important to understand how checking account fees work and how to use a checking account properly to avoid running into problems such as overdraft fees. Lantern by SoFi offers an online banking marketplace, making it easy to compare high-yield savings accounts based on interest rate, fees, and balance minimums. Shop online savings accounts and find the best rate with Lantern today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do checking accounts do?

Are bank accounts and checking accounts the same?

Is a debit card the same as a checking account?

Photo credit: iStock/damircudic

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About the Author

Jacqueline DeMarco

Jacqueline DeMarco is a personal finance writer and editor based in Southern California. While she spends the bulk of her time writing about complex financial issues, she also tackles a variety of subjects ranging from food to fashion to travel. Her work can be found across dozens of publications such as Credit Karma, LendingTree, Northwestern Mutual, The Everygirl, and Apartment Therapy.

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