Checking accounts are a safe place to keep money you need for everyday spending. Most checking accounts today make it easy to access your money, offer flexible withdrawal options, and are FDIC insured. And the best checking accounts have low or no fees, a high annual percentage yield (so your money is making money), and ATM reimbursement.
Ready to compare checking accounts? We've evaluated over 100 banks to find the accounts below -- our picks for the best checking accounts.
3 of our best checking accounts
If you're short on time, here are three of the best bank accounts:
- Top savings and checking account in one: SoFi Checking and Savings
- Top checking account for cash back: Discover® Cashback Debit
- Top checking account for earning interest: Axos Bank Rewards Checking
Compare the best checking accounts
Show The List [+]Hide The List [-]
- up to 4.60% APY:SoFi Checking and Savings(Member FDIC.)
- 0% APY:Discover® Cashback Debit(Member FDIC.)
- 0.40% (up to 3.30%) APY:Axos Bank Rewards Checking(Member FDIC.)
- up to 1.10% APY:Quontic High Interest Checking(Member FDIC.)
- 1.00% APY:American Express Rewards Checking(Member FDIC.)
- 0% APY:Betterment Checking(Member FDIC.)
- up to 0.25% APY:Ally Spending Account(Member FDIC.)
- 0.45% APY:Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking(Member FDIC.)
- 0.10% APY:Capital One 360 Checking(Member FDIC.)
- 0.45% APY:EverBank Yield Pledge® Checking(Member FDIC.)
- Up to 0.15% APY:LendingClub Rewards Checking(Member FDIC.)
- 1.50% APY:E*TRADE Checking Account(Member FDIC.)
Show Best Offers Available in
Rates asof Apr 17, 2024
| Offer | APY | Minimum to Earn APY | Rating | Promotion | Next Steps | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SoFi Checking and Savings Open Account for SoFi Checking and Savings Member FDIC. Rating image, 4.75 out of 5 stars. 4.75/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | up to 4.60% Rate infoYou can earn the maximum APY by having Direct Deposit (no minimum amount required) or by making $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits every 30 days. See SoFi Checking and Savings rate sheet at: https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.Min. to earn: $0 | Rating image, 4.75 out of 5 stars. 4.75/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | $0 | New customers can earn up to a $300 bonus with qualifying direct deposits! | Open Account for SoFi Checking and Savings Offer Alert New customers can earn up to a $300 bonus with qualifying direct deposits! | |
Discover® Cashback Debit Open Account for Discover® Cashback Debit Member FDIC. Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars. 4.00/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | 0% Min. to earn: N/A | Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars. 4.00/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | N/A | Earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month (see details when you click 'Open Account') | Open Account for Discover® Cashback Debit Offer alert Earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month (see details when you click 'Open Account') | |
Axos Bank Rewards Checking Open Account for Axos Bank Rewards Checking Member FDIC. Rating image, 4.25 out of 5 stars. 4.25/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. Disclaimer | 0.40% (up to 3.30%) Rate infoTo earn the full APY, account holders must do all of the following: Receive monthly direct deposits totaling more than $1,500; make 10 transactions a month with your Axos debit card, or sign up for Axos's Personal Finance Manager; maintain an average daily balance of $2,500 per month in an Axos Invest Self Directed Trading Account; and use your Rewards Checking account to make your full monthly Axos Bank consumer mortgage, personal, or auto loan payment.Min. to earn: Monthly direct deposits totaling at least $1,500 | Rating image, 4.25 out of 5 stars. 4.25/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | Monthly direct deposits totaling at least $1,500 | Use promo code AXOS300 and apply by June 30th, to earn up to a $300 bonus! | Open Account for Axos Bank Rewards Checking offer alert Use promo code AXOS300 and apply by June 30th, to earn up to a $300 bonus! | |
To be eligible to earn all or a portion of the cash incentive as part of the "AXOS300" $300 promotion, an Axos Bank Rewards Checking account that includes the promotional code "AXOS300" must be opened between November 1, 2023, at 12:00 am PST and June 30, 2024, at 11:59 pm PST. Axos Bank reserves the right to limit each primary account holder to one (1) checking account promotional offer per year, and customers who have held primary ownership of an Axos Bank or Axos Bank for Nationwide checking account at any time in the past 12 months may be disqualified from the "AXOS300" offer. Promotional terms and conditions are subject to change or removal without notice. Bonus cash may be taxable and reported on IRS Form 1099-MISC. Consult your tax advisor. After meeting the initial requirements mentioned above, the amount of cash bonus earned will depend on meeting the additional requirements outlined below: To earn up to a $300 bonus, you must be approved for your new Axos Bank Rewards Checking account, fund it within 30 days of account opening, and have qualifying direct deposits that total at least $5,000.00 each calendar month during the first seven (7) calendar months your account is open as well as maintain a minimum average daily balance of $7,000. The minimum balance must be achieved and maintained through the first seven (7) calendar months your account is open including the month in which your account was opened. A cash bonus of up to $300 can be earned in the following manner during the first seven (7) statement cycles. A statement cycle is a calendar month consisting of the days your account was open during that month. A maximum of six (6) payouts of $50 for each calendar month that the Rewards Checking account is receiving the direct deposit and maintain a minimum average daily balance of $7,000 can be earned during the seven (7) statement cycles, and the bonus will be deposited into your Axos Bank Rewards Checking account within 10 business days following the end of the statement cycle in which the direct deposit requirement was met. Your Axos Bank Rewards Checking account must be open and in good standing at the time the bonus is paid to be eligible to receive the bonus, and your Axos Bank Rewards Checking account must remain open for 210 days, or an early closure fee of up to $300 may apply, equal to the amount of the total bonus earned up to $300. A direct deposit is an electronic deposit of your paycheck or government benefits, such as Social Security, Disability etc. Other deposits (i.e., online banking transfers, ATM and mobile check deposits, etc.) or person-to-person payments are not considered a direct deposit. A statement cycle is defined as a period of time that starts on the first day of the calendar month and ends on the last day of the calendar month. | To be eligible to earn all or a portion of the cash incentive as part of the "AXOS300" $300 promotion, an Axos Bank Rewards Checking account that includes the promotional code "AXOS300" must be opened between November 1, 2023, at 12:00 am PST and June 30, 2024, at 11:59 pm PST. Axos Bank reserves the right to limit each primary account holder to one (1) checking account promotional offer per year, and customers who have held primary ownership of an Axos Bank or Axos Bank for Nationwide checking account at any time in the past 12 months may be disqualified from the "AXOS300" offer. Promotional terms and conditions are subject to change or removal without notice. Bonus cash may be taxable and reported on IRS Form 1099-MISC. Consult your tax advisor. After meeting the initial requirements mentioned above, the amount of cash bonus earned will depend on meeting the additional requirements outlined below: To earn up to a $300 bonus, you must be approved for your new Axos Bank Rewards Checking account, fund it within 30 days of account opening, and have qualifying direct deposits that total at least $5,000.00 each calendar month during the first seven (7) calendar months your account is open as well as maintain a minimum average daily balance of $7,000. The minimum balance must be achieved and maintained through the first seven (7) calendar months your account is open including the month in which your account was opened. A cash bonus of up to $300 can be earned in the following manner during the first seven (7) statement cycles. A statement cycle is a calendar month consisting of the days your account was open during that month. A maximum of six (6) payouts of $50 for each calendar month that the Rewards Checking account is receiving the direct deposit and maintain a minimum average daily balance of $7,000 can be earned during the seven (7) statement cycles, and the bonus will be deposited into your Axos Bank Rewards Checking account within 10 business days following the end of the statement cycle in which the direct deposit requirement was met. Your Axos Bank Rewards Checking account must be open and in good standing at the time the bonus is paid to be eligible to receive the bonus, and your Axos Bank Rewards Checking account must remain open for 210 days, or an early closure fee of up to $300 may apply, equal to the amount of the total bonus earned up to $300. A direct deposit is an electronic deposit of your paycheck or government benefits, such as Social Security, Disability etc. Other deposits (i.e., online banking transfers, ATM and mobile check deposits, etc.) or person-to-person payments are not considered a direct deposit. A statement cycle is defined as a period of time that starts on the first day of the calendar month and ends on the last day of the calendar month. | |||||
Quontic High Interest Checking Open Account for Quontic High Interest Checking Member FDIC. Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars. 4.00/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. Disclaimer | up to 1.10% Min. to earn: $1 | Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars. 4.00/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | $1 | High APY when you complete 10 or more qualifying debit card purchases each month | Open Account for Quontic High Interest Checking High APY when you complete 10 or more qualifying debit card purchases each month | |
10 debit card point of sale transactions of $10 or more per statement cycle required to earn the maximum APY. If the qualifying activity requirement is not fulfilled, the interest rate paid on the entire balance will be 0.01% APY. | 10 debit card point of sale transactions of $10 or more per statement cycle required to earn the maximum APY. If the qualifying activity requirement is not fulfilled, the interest rate paid on the entire balance will be 0.01% APY. | |||||
American Express Rewards Checking Read Review Member FDIC. Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars. 5.00/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | 1.00% Rate infoAPY = annual percentage yieldMin. to earn: $0 | Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars. 5.00/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | $0 | N/A | Read Review | |
Betterment Checking Read Review Member FDIC. Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars. 3.50/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | 0% Min. to earn: $0 | Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars. 3.50/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | $0 | N/A | Read Review | |
Ally Spending Account Read Review Member FDIC. Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars. 4.50/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | up to 0.25% Min. to earn: $1 | Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars. 4.50/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | $1 | N/A | Read Review | |
Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking Read Review Member FDIC. Rating image, 4.75 out of 5 stars. 4.75/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | 0.45% Min. to earn: $0.01 | Rating image, 4.75 out of 5 stars. 4.75/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | $0.01 | N/A | Read Review | |
Capital One 360 Checking Read Review Member FDIC. Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars. 4.50/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | 0.10% Min. to earn: $1 | Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars. 4.50/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | $1 | N/A | Read Review | |
EverBank Yield Pledge® Checking Read Review Member FDIC. Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars. 5.00/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | 0.45% Min. to earn: $0 | Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars. 5.00/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | $0 | N/A | Read Review | |
LendingClub Rewards Checking Read Review Member FDIC. Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars. 4.00/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | Up to 0.15% Min. to earn: $2,500 | Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars. 4.00/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | $2,500 | N/A | Read Review | |
E*TRADE Checking Account Open Account for E*TRADE Checking Account Member FDIC. Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars. 5.00/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | 1.50% Min. to earn: $0.01 | Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars. 5.00/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. | $0.01 | N/A | Open Account for E*TRADE Checking Account | |
A note from our head of product ratings, Brian Frey
The checking accounts we rank highly all meet these standards:
- Issued by well-respected financial institutions
- Boast competitive APYs or cash back rewards
- Offer the ability to add on a savings account
These features are critical to a positive checking experience.
Open Account for SoFi Checking and Savings
Member FDIC.
A closer look at the best banks for checking accounts
Show The List [+]Hide The List [-]
- up to 4.60% APY:SoFi Checking and Savings(Member FDIC.)
- 0% APY:Discover® Cashback Debit(Member FDIC.)
- 0.40% (up to 3.30%) APY:Axos Bank Rewards Checking(Member FDIC.)
- up to 1.10% APY:Quontic High Interest Checking(Member FDIC.)
- 1.00% APY:American Express Rewards Checking(Member FDIC.)
- 0% APY:Betterment Checking(Member FDIC.)
- up to 0.25% APY:Ally Spending Account(Member FDIC.)
- 0.45% APY:Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking(Member FDIC.)
- 0.10% APY:Capital One 360 Checking(Member FDIC.)
- 0.45% APY:EverBank Yield Pledge® Checking(Member FDIC.)
- Up to 0.15% APY:LendingClub Rewards Checking(Member FDIC.)
- 1.50% APY:E*TRADE Checking Account(Member FDIC.)
Show Best Offers Available in
Ratings Methodology
Rates asof Apr 17, 2024
2024 Award Winner
SoFi Checking and Savings
Open Account for SoFi Checking and Savings
Member FDIC.
Rating image, 4.75 out of 5 stars.
4.75/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating image, 4.75 out of 5 stars.
4.75/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Open Account for SoFi Checking and Savings
Offer Alert
New customers can earn up to a $300 bonus with qualifying direct deposits!
APY
up to 4.60%Rate infoYou can earn the maximum APY by having Direct Deposit (no minimum amount required) or by making $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits every 30 days. See SoFi Checking and Savings rate sheet at: https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
Min. To Earn APY
$0
- Competitive APY on both Savings and Checking
- No account fees
- Welcome bonus up to $300 (direct deposit required)
- Early access to direct deposits
- Tools to help you track savings goals
- Unlimited number of external transfers (up to daily transaction limits)
- ATM access
- FDIC insured (up to $2M with opt-in to SoFi Insured Deposit Program)
- Combo account only; no stand-alone savings or checking
- Maximum Savings APY requires direct deposit
- Overdraft protection requires monthly direct deposit minimum
- No branch access; online only
For those who plan to set up direct deposit with their new account, we thinkSoFi Checking and Savingsis hard to beat. Not only does this savings account offer a strong APY, but the linked checking account earns above-average, too — which is a rare perk. Plus, there’s the opportunity for an up to $300 bonus and a long list of extra account features. Frankly, it’s the kind of combo that could make it worthwhile to switch banking relationships.
You can earn the maximum APY either by making direct deposits into checking or savings, or by depositing $5,000 or more every 30 days. Learn more.
Read Full Review
2024 Award Winner
Discover® Cashback Debit
Open Account for Discover® Cashback Debit
Member FDIC.
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Open Account for Discover® Cashback Debit
Offer alert
Earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month (see details when you click 'Open Account')
APY
0%
Min. To Earn APY
N/A
- Cash back rewards on debit cards
- Early direct deposit
- No monthly maintenance, NSF, or overdraft fees
- Great customer service
- Cash back rewards capped
- No interest-bearing checking account
- No physical branches
- No reimbursement for out-of-network ATMs
The Discover Cashback Debit account could be a lucrative option for those who frequently use their debit card. With cash back on eligible purchases, it's possible to earn even more than you could with a typical checking account APY without changing your habits at all. The fact that Discover has done away with many common checking account fees only adds to its appeal.
Read Full Review
2024 Award Winner
Axos Bank Rewards Checking
Open Account for Axos Bank Rewards Checking
Member FDIC.
Rating image, 4.25 out of 5 stars.
4.25/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating image, 4.25 out of 5 stars.
4.25/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Open Account for Axos Bank Rewards Checking
offer alert
Use promo code AXOS300 and apply by June 30th, to earn up to a $300 bonus!
APY
0.40% (up to 3.30%)Rate infoTo earn the full APY, account holders must do all of the following: Receive monthly direct deposits totaling more than $1,500; make 10 transactions a month with your Axos debit card, or sign up for Axos's Personal Finance Manager; maintain an average daily balance of $2,500 per month in an Axos Invest Self Directed Trading Account; and use your Rewards Checking account to make your full monthly Axos Bank consumer mortgage, personal, or auto loan payment.
Min. To Earn APY
Monthly direct deposits totaling at least $1,500
- High checking account APY
- Unlimited ATM fee reimbursements
- No monthly maintenance, NSF, or overdraft fees
- No monthly balance requirements
- Cash back checking option
- ATM card for high-yield savings account
- Must meet certain requirements to earn the highest interest tier
- Higher savings and CD APYs available at other financial institutions
- No physical branches
A solid checking account with an APY that far outpaces the competition. The fact that it also has no maintenance fees and no overdraft or NSF fees are the cherries on top.
Use promo codeAXOS300and apply by June 30th, to earn up to a $300 bonus!
To be eligible to earn all or a portion of the cash incentive as part of the "AXOS300" $300 promotion, an Axos Bank Rewards Checking account that includes the promotional code "AXOS300" must be opened between November 1, 2023, at 12:00 am PST and June 30, 2024, at 11:59 pm PST. Axos Bank reserves the right to limit each primary account holder to one (1) checking account promotional offer per year, and customers who have held primary ownership of an Axos Bank or Axos Bank for Nationwide checking account at any time in the past 12 months may be disqualified from the "AXOS300" offer. Promotional terms and conditions are subject to change or removal without notice. Bonus cash may be taxable and reported on IRS Form 1099-MISC. Consult your tax advisor. After meeting the initial requirements mentioned above, the amount of cash bonus earned will depend on meeting the additional requirements outlined below:
To earn up to a $300 bonus, you must be approved for your new Axos Bank Rewards Checking account, fund it within 30 days of account opening, and have qualifying direct deposits that total at least $5,000.00 each calendar month during the first seven (7) calendar months your account is open as well as maintain a minimum average daily balance of $7,000. The minimum balance must be achieved and maintained through the first seven (7) calendar months your account is open including the month in which your account was opened. A cash bonus of up to $300 can be earned in the following manner during the first seven (7) statement cycles. A statement cycle is a calendar month consisting of the days your account was open during that month. A maximum of six (6) payouts of $50 for each calendar month that the Rewards Checking account is receiving the direct deposit and maintain a minimum average daily balance of $7,000 can be earned during the seven (7) statement cycles, and the bonus will be deposited into your Axos Bank Rewards Checking account within 10 business days following the end of the statement cycle in which the direct deposit requirement was met. Your Axos Bank Rewards Checking account must be open and in good standing at the time the bonus is paid to be eligible to receive the bonus, and your Axos Bank Rewards Checking account must remain open for 210 days, or an early closure fee of up to $300 may apply, equal to the amount of the total bonus earned up to $300.
A direct deposit is an electronic deposit of your paycheck or government benefits, such as Social Security, Disability etc. Other deposits (i.e., online banking transfers, ATM and mobile check deposits, etc.) or person-to-person payments are not considered a direct deposit.
A statement cycle is defined as a period of time that starts on the first day of the calendar month and ends on the last day of the calendar month.
Read Full Review
Quontic High Interest Checking
Open Account for Quontic High Interest Checking
Member FDIC.
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Open Account for Quontic High Interest Checking
High APY when you complete 10 or more qualifying debit card purchases each month
APY
up to 1.10%
Min. To Earn APY
$1
- High checking APY
- One of the highest APY for CDs and savings account
- No monthly fees, overdraft, or NSF fees
- Comes with a debit card
- Large fee-free ATM network
- Quontic Pay Ring: the nation's first wearable payment ring
- Must meet monthly transaction requirements to earn higher interest tier
- Limited CD terms
- No physical branches
Quontic High Interest Checking earns one of the highest APYs among checking accounts. Unfortunately, you must make 10 qualifying debit card purchases of $10 or more each statement cycle to earn the highest interest tier. Still, the account is a good option to maximize savings beyond other deposit accounts. Plus, it has no monthly fees and access to fee-free ATMs.
10 debit card point of sale transactions of $10 or more per statement cycle required to earn the maximum APY. If the qualifying activity requirement is not fulfilled, the interest rate paid on the entire balance will be 0.01% APY.
Read Full Review
American Express Rewards Checking
Read Review
Member FDIC.
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Read Review
APY
1.00%Rate infoAPY = annual percentage yield
Min. To Earn APY
$0
- High APY
- Debit card rewards with no cap
- No monthly maintenance and minimum deposit fees
- 24/7 customer service
- Must be an American Express Card Member
- Banking services are limited
- Online-only bank
With Amex Rewards Checking, you can earn 1 Membership Rewards point for each $2 of eligible debit card purchase. There are no monthly fees or minimum balance requirements for the account. You can redeem your points for deposits into your Amex Rewards Checking account and there is no cap on how many points you can earn. The account offers a high APY (annual percentage yield) and earns rewards but those are limited to certain options.
Betterment Checking
Read Review
Member FDIC.
Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.
3.50/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.
3.50/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Read Review
APY
0%
Min. To Earn APY
$0
- No monthly fees, ATM and foreign transaction fees reimbursed
- Cash back rewards
- Robust mobile app
- Wide range of financial services
- No APY
- No physical locations
Betterment Checking is a no-fee account, with generous debit card cash back rewards, and 100% of foreign transaction and ATM fees are reimbursed. It also offers a robust mobile app to help you manage your finances and take advantage of its popular robo-advisor platform. However, it may not be a good fit for those who want to speak to someone face to face and have the need to deposit cash.
Ally Spending Account
Read Review
Member FDIC.
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Read Review
APY
up to 0.25%
Min. To Earn APY
$1
- Strong online and mobile tools
- No monthly maintenance or overdraft fees
- Monthly ATM fee reimbursements
- Competitive APY
- Early direct deposit
- Higher APY available at other financial institutions
- No physical locations
- No cash deposits
The Ally Spending Account is an appealing option for those who are comfortable managing their money online. Its monthly ATM fee reimbursements give you the freedom to access your cash wherever you need to. That, plus its APY, means you should only make money with this account.
2024 Award Winner
Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking
Read Review
Member FDIC.
Rating image, 4.75 out of 5 stars.
4.75/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating image, 4.75 out of 5 stars.
4.75/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Read Review
APY
0.45%
Min. To Earn APY
$0.01
- Competitive APY
- No foreign transaction fees
- No monthly maintenance fees
- Unlimited ATM fee reimbursements worldwide
- Great customer service
- Free linked investment account with checking account
- Higher APY available at other financial institutions
- Physical locations for investment services
This free checking account is available to Schwab brokerage customers. Schwab offers unlimited domestic and international ATM reimbursements. Schwab also doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee (which can be 1% to 3% of transaction cost). In addition, there is no minimum deposit requirement and no minimum balance requirements.
Capital One 360 Checking
Read Review
Member FDIC.
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Read Review
APY
0.10%
Min. To Earn APY
$1
- Branches and Capital One Cafes in some states
- Variety of accounts
- Robust digital platform and app
- Great customer service
- Higher APY available at other financial institutions
Capital One boasts a top-rated mobile app and has over 70,000 fee-free Capital One, MoneyPass, and Allpoint ATM locations. For those looking for face-to-face interaction, Capital One has over 450 locations and 50 Capital One Cafes, where customers can bank, get a cup of coffee, and ask for advice from a certified money coach. However the APY is lower than other online banks.
EverBank Yield Pledge® Checking
Read Review
Member FDIC.
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Read Review
APY
0.45%
Min. To Earn APY
$0
- Earns APY
- Monthly ATM fee reimbursements
- Purchase protections for debit cards
- Higher APY available at other financial institutions
The EverBank Yield Pledge® Checking is a great fit for those who want no monthly fees.. While those with larger balances will benefit the most from this account, just about everyone will appreciate the rare debit card protections and ATM fee reimbursements many other online checking accounts skip.
LendingClub Rewards Checking
Read Review
Member FDIC.
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Read Review
APY
Up to 0.15%
Min. To Earn APY
$2,500
- Unlimited cash back on debit card purchases
- Unlimited ATM fee reimbursements worldwide
- Get your paycheck up to two days early
- No monthly maintenance or overdraft fees
- Low balances won't earn interest
- Most customers won't qualify for the highest APY
- Higher APY available at other financial institutions
- Must have at least $2,500 to earn cash back rewards
E*TRADE Checking Account
Open Account for E*TRADE Checking Account
Member FDIC.
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.5 stars equals Best.4 stars equals Excellent.3 stars equals Good.2 stars equals Fair.1 star equals Poor.We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs. = Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor
Open Account for E*TRADE Checking Account
APY
1.50%
Min. To Earn APY
$0.01
- Earns interest
- No monthly maintenance fees
- No minimum balances
- ATM fee reimbursements nationwide
- No branch access
This account is ideal for E*TRADE clients who want a no-frills, free checking account that earns interest. There's no branch access, but you can use your debit card at ATMs with unlimited fee reimbursements.
Read Full Review
How to choose the best checking account for you
We believe the best checking accounts typically have:
- Low fees: There's no reason that anyone should have to pay an account maintenance fee.
- High interest rates: To find the best high-yield checking accounts, compare each account's annual percentage yield -- or APY. A higher APY means more interest.
- ATM reimbursement: Some of the best online checking accounts reimburse ATM fees charged by other banks.
- Convenient ATM or branch locations: Your local bank on the corner is convenient, but it's not the only option. Some online banks have massive ATM networks and easy methods to make deposits, even with cash.
When you compare checking accounts, look at all of the above factors to get the whole picture for each account.
What is a checking account?
A checking account is a bank account designed for spending. Most checking accounts come with a debit card. Account holders can also take advantage of online bill pay services.
You can open a checking account online or in-person, through both traditional brick-and-mortar banks and an increasing number of online financial institutions.
Benefits of a checking account
Here are a few reasons to open a checking account, whether it be a high-interest online checking account or one from a traditional brick-and-mortar bank:
- Easy spending: If you have an emergency expense, an unexpected bill, or even just a fun shopping spree -- it's easy to spend money out of a checking account. Some options for spending out of a checking account include checks, debit cards, online banking, and mobile wallets.
- (Usually) no restrictions: Believe it or not, most other bank account types have restrictions on spending. With a savings account, you can usually only make six withdrawals each month. And with a certificate of deposit (CD), you can't take money out at all without paying a penalty (unless your CD has matured -- but waiting for it to mature can take months).
- Protection: Most checking accounts have insurance covering up to $250,000 in deposits. Banks have FDIC insurance, and credit unions have NCUA insurance, with each offering coverage up to the same amount. In the unlikely event that your bank shuts down, insurance would cover it. Also, consumer fraud protection services are standard and free of charge in many checking accounts, both nationwide and at local banks.
Checking account fees
Here are some of the more common checking account fees you might see:
- Monthly maintenance fee (also known as the service charge, among other names): This is the most common recurring checking account charge. It often ranges from $5 to $15, but can vary widely. Fortunately, banks often waive this charge if a customer meets certain standards. These can include a minimum number of transactions on the account's debit card, setting up recurring direct deposits from an employer, or meeting a minimum ongoing balance amount.
- Overdraft fee: This classic charge has been a staple of the checking account for many years. Should you spend more money than what you've got in the account, you'll be hit with an overdraft fee. $30 per incident is roughly the going rate. Banks don't typically waive overdraft fees, though some online checking accounts don't charge them.
- ATM fee: Banks like to charge ATM fees if you draw funds from cash machines that aren't theirs. A standard hit is $2 or $3 per transaction, but these can be much higher in certain locations, especially abroad. The ATM owner may charge their own fees as well.
Do checking accounts earn interest?
The best checking account offers include at least a low APY, but they can be hard to find. Most banks don't offer interest on their checking accounts.
This is particularly true of banks with brick-and-mortar operations. Keeping branches open is expensive and resource-draining, and the prevalence of checking accounts make them a prime target for cost cutting.
There are, however, exceptions to this no-interest standard. Interest-bearing checking accounts exist.
Unfortunately, these accounts often have relatively high opening and/or minimum ongoing balance requirements. The effort it takes to hit those marks, plus the funds they tie down, are not worthwhile for many customers, especially because many of the best interest-bearing checking accounts only offer a low APY.
You can sometimes find better APYs if you open a checking account online. Online-only banks have more wiggle room to pay interest since they don't bear those brick-and-mortar costs. It's not unusual to see interest-bearing online checking accounts. Even with the best online checking account, interest rates are generally much lower than what you'll find with online savings accounts.
Questions to ask when choosing a checking account
You'll probably use your checking account a lot, so choosing the right one is important. Here are the basic questions you should ask to compare checking accounts:
- What checking account features do you need?
Do you want a debit card? Overdraft protection? Mobile banking? - How much will your checking account balance be?
Many checking accounts have maintenance fees, but these fees can be waived if you keep a certain amount of money in the account. - What are the most convenient banks for you?
Is there a bank near your grocery store? Is there a bank with a top-rated mobile app? - What checking account fees do those banks charge?
You can usually find the bank's fee schedule online, or you can ask for it in-person at a branch. - What checking account bonus offers are available to you?
Some banks offer sign-up bonuses to new customers who fulfill certain requirements.
If you can't decide between two similar checking accounts, look for extras that make one stand out. For example, some banks offer cash back on debit card purchases or out-of-network ATM fee reimbursements. And remember: The best checking account offers for you might be different from the best checking account offers for your neighbor. Think about your lifestyle before deciding which account has the best bonus for your money.
Key checking account terms to know
Here's some important checking account terminology you should be familiar with:
| Debit card | A payment card that's linked to a checking or savings account. Debit card transactions are approved based on the current balance of your account, and the money is immediately deducted. |
| PIN (personal identification number) | A number that's typically four to six digit and is used to identify you when using your debit card for ATM withdrawals or in-store purchases. |
| Insufficient funds | If you write a check or attempt to spend more money than you have in your checking account, the transaction may be rejected for insufficient funds. |
| Overdraft | The result of a transaction that causes your account to have a negative balance. Overdrafts usually carry fees. |
| Mobile or remote deposit | Most checking accounts allow customers to make check deposits from their smartphone or other mobile device by uploading a photo of the check, thereby saving a trip to the bank. |
Checking vs. savings accounts
A checking account is great for paying bills, because it's easy to get money in and out of a checking account. Savings accounts tend to earn more interest, which make them perfect for saving money over long periods of time.
High-yield savings accounts typically have higher APYs, which makes them a better choice for an emergency fund or other cash you don't anticipate using anytime soon but don't feel comfortable investing. But savings accounts also have restrictions that limit the number of withdrawals you can make per month and the ease of access you have to your money.
Checking accounts are intended to be spending accounts used for everyday purchases. They have fewer limitations on the number of payments or withdrawals you can make each month. But they usually don't have a high APY like savings accounts do, even if they are high interest.
Discover our other checking account top picks
- Best Bank Promotions and Bonuses
- Best Banks for International Travel
- Best Banks in New York City
- Best Checking Accounts
- Best Free Business Checking Accounts
- Best Free Checking Accounts
- Best High-Yield Checking Accounts
- Best Joint Checking Accounts
- Best National Banks
- Best Online Checking Accounts
- Best Rewards Checking Accounts
- Best Student Checking Accounts
- Best Teen Checking Accounts
- Safest Banks in the U.S. for April 2024
Our checking account methodology
At The Motley Fool Ascent, checking accounts are rated on a scale of one to five stars, primarily focusing on annual percentage yield (APY) and fees. Our highest-rated banking products generally include competitive APYs without complex qualification tiers, low to no fees, and ease of use. See our full Ratings Methodology here.
Banks we monitor
Here are the 100+ financial institutions we've evaluated in our research:
Alliant, Ally, All America Bank, American First Credit Union, American Express® National Bank, Arvest Bank, Aspiration, Axos Bank, B2 Bank, Bank of America, Bank5 Connect, Bank7, Barclays, Bask Bank, Betterment, Bluevine, BMO, Bread Financial, Capital One, Carver Federal Savings Bank, Charles Schwab Bank, Chase, Chime, CIT, Citibank, Citizens Bank, Citizens Savings Bank, Columbia Bank, Connexus Credit Union, Consumers Credit Union, Copper, Cross River Bank, Customers Bank, Discover® Bank, E*TRADEEdward Jones, EverBank, Fidelity, Fifth Third Bank, First Foundation Bank, First Internet Bank of Indiana, First National Bank, First Tech Federal Credit Union, Flushing Bank, Freedom Bank, Generations Bank, GN Bank, Golden 1 Credit Union, Greenlight, Harborstone Credit Union, HSBC, Huntington Bank, Ivella, Kabbage by American Express, KeyBank, Laurel Road, LendingClub, Liberty Bank, Liberty Federal Credit Union, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Mercury, Municipal Credit Union, Mutual of Omaha, NASA Federal Credit Union, Nationwide Bank, Navy Federal Credit Union, NBKC Bank, New York Community Bank, Northpointe Bank, Novo, OceanFirst Bank, Old National Bank, ONE Finance, OneUnited Bank, Oxygen, Pacific Western Bank, PNC Bank, Ponce Bank, Popular Direct, Presidential Bank, Prime Alliance Bank, Quontic, Radius, Raisin, Redneck Bank, Regions Bank, Relay, Republic Bank of Chicago, Revolut, Salem Five Bank, Sallie Mae, Santander Bank, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Simple, SoFi, Synchrony Bank, Tab Bank, TD Bank, Third Federal, Truist Bank, U.S. Bank, UFB, Upgrade, USAA, Valley Bank, Vanguard, Varo Bank, Vio Bank, Wealthfront, Wells Fargo, Western Alliance Bank, and Zeta.
FAQs
A checking account is a bank account designed for spending. Most checking accounts come with a debit card. Account holders can also take advantage of online bill pay services.
It contrasts with a savings account, which is intended for -- yes -- saving. Savings accounts usually don't have debit cards, because banks don't expect you to spend the money in your savings account.
You can open a checking account online or in-person, through both traditional brick-and-mortar banks and an increasing number of online financial institutions (like that new banking app your coworker won't stop raving about).
Checking account costs vary dramatically. Some have multiple fees, such as maintenance charges, overdraft fees, and ATM fees, while others are entirely fee free.
Some checking accounts, especially those offered by online banks, earn interest on deposits. But it's usually a small amount.
While some banks offer checking accounts with rewards, not all of them do. If earning rewards is important to you, make sure any bank or credit union you're considering offers this opportunity.
Rules vary based on the financial institution. Conditions for earning a bonus may include:
- Using a promotional code
- Making a minimum initial deposit
- Maintaining a minimum balance for a specific amount of time
You can see even more checking account options on our Best Checking Account Promotions page.
Our Banking Experts
By:Kailey Hagen
Writer
Kailey Hagen has been writing about small businesses and finance for almost 10 years, with her work appearing on USA Today, CNN Money, Fox Business, and MSN Money. She specializes in personal and business bank accounts and software for small to medium-size businesses. She lives on what's almost a farm in northern Wisconsin with her husband and three dogs.
By:Matt Frankel, CFP®
Writer, Analyst
Matt is a Certified Financial Planner™ and investment advisor based in Columbia, South Carolina. He writes personal finance and investment advice for The Ascent and its parent company The Motley Fool, with more than 4,500 published articles and a 2017 SABEW Best in Business award. Matt writes a weekly investment column ("Ask a Fool") that is syndicated in USA Today, and his work has been regularly featured on CNBC, Fox Business, MSN Money, and many other major outlets. He’s a graduate of the University of South Carolina and Nova Southeastern University, and holds a graduate certificate in financial planning from Florida State University.
Fact CheckedNathan Alderman
Fact checker
Nathan Alderman has worked with The Motley Fool since 2005, making errors his arch-enemies in a variety of roles including a six-year stint as the dedicated fact-checker for The Motley Fool's premium newsletter services. As The Ascent's Compliance Lead, he makes sure that all the site's information is accurate and up to date, which ensures we always steer readers right and keeps various financial partners happy. A graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Nathan spends his spare time volunteering for civic causes, writing and podcasting for fun, adoring his wife, and wrangling his two very large young children.
