Checking vs Savings Account: What is the Difference?
A checking account is for everyday use, while a savings account has less flexibility but higher interest rates. Read on to learn more.
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| © CreditDonkey |
Banks offer two basic types of deposit accounts for your money: checking and savings.
A checking account is designed for everyday activity and transactions. A savings account is intended to let your funds grow over time.
Let's start with a quick peek at the basics.
Overview
Checking and savings are safe, smart alternatives to hiding wads of cash in your sock drawer. Here's what to know about both.
- Take note of account minimums. Banks may charge a monthly service fee for each account. That charge can usually be waived if you maintain a specified minimum account balance, schedule regular direct deposits, or meet other criteria.
- FDIC secured. Each account is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). This means that in the VERY unlikely event that your bank folds, the government will make sure you still get your money back, up to a total of $250,000 per depositor.
- Both are easy to open. Opening either type of account can be done in person or online depending on your bank. All you need is your basic information (name, address, Social Security number), a driver's license or current ID, and the minimum opening deposit amount.
If you're considering opening a personal checking or savings account, you must check out these promotions.
Despite their similarities, checking and savings accounts serve different purposes and have unique features. Choosing the right account really depends on your personal needs.
Features of a Checking Account
A checking account is designed to be your everyday spending account. Think of it as a digital wallet. Here's what you get.
- Flexible money access. The money in your checking account is meant to be spent, not saved. You can freely use the money in your account at any time with no limits.
- Debit cards. You'll get a debit card, which allows you to make ATM withdrawals or purchase items directly using the funds in your checking account.
- Check writing. Banks usually provide checks (sometimes for a small fee).
- Online bill pay. Most banks also offer unlimited free online bill pay. You can pay mortgage, credit card bills, utilities, student loans, etc., using the money you keep in your checking. You can set up automatic recurring payments or make one-time payments.
- No limits. Checking accounts have no monthly withdrawal or transfer limits. (Some banks do have a maximum daily ATM withdrawal limit.)
Checking accounts, however, offer little or no interest. There's no real benefit to keeping money there that you don't intend to spend in the immediate future. In fact, you're actually losing money that could be earned in an interest-bearing savings account.
Compare Checking Accounts
- Enjoy a $1,000 welcome bonus when you join Sapphire℠ Banking. Within 45 days, transfer a total of $75,000 or more in qualifying new money or securities to a combination of eligible personal checking, savings and/or investment accounts, (excludes any J.P. Morgan retirement accounts and CDs) and maintain that balance for 90 days.
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- Open your new HSBC Advance checking account by March 1, 2020; and
- Set up Qualifying Direct Deposits into your new HSBC Advance checking account; and then
- Enjoy 2% Cash Back on Qualifying Direct Deposits into your new HSBC Advance checking account, up to $30 per month, during the first 12 calendar months after account opening — up to $350
- You will automatically receive the 2% Cash Back in your new HSBC Advance checking account approximately eight weeks after completing that month's qualifying activities.
- Deposit products are offered in the U.S. by HSBC Bank USA, N.A. Member FDIC.
- Up to 1.25% APY
- No minimum balance requirements
- No fees to open or maintain account
- Overdraft Protection
- Daily Compounding Interest
- FDIC insured
Chase Sapphire℠ Checking
HSBC Advance Checking - Up to $350 Cash Back
- Get up to $350 with a 2% Cash Back Checking Offer when you open a new HSBC Advance checking account and complete the following qualifying activities.
Rewards Checking
Features of a Savings Account
Savings accounts are a place to save your money and have it grow over time. It's a great place to store an emergency fund and the savings for your goals.
Here's what you can expect.
- Higher interest rates. Savings accounts will typically offer higher interest rates than checking accounts. Banks reward you for keeping your money right where it is, rather than moving it around or spending it on bills or daily purchases.
- No caps on deposits. You can add to your balance as much as you like. You can also check your statement every month and see how much interest is accruing.
- Limits on withdrawals and transfers. The federal government limits the number of withdrawals and transfers from your savings to 6 per month. Banks charge varying (and sometimes steep) fees for every transaction above that number.
- Limited access. You can't directly use the money in your savings. For example, your savings account will not allow you to pay bills directly from your account. For that, you'll need to transfer money into a checking account.
Some banks may offer an ATM card to allow withdrawals from your savings. But unlike a debit card, these cannot be used to make purchases. Others require you to visit one of their branch locations to take out some of your money.
Compare Savings Accounts
- Enjoy up to $350 when you open a new Chase Total Checking® account with Direct Deposit and/or open a new Chase Savings℠ account, deposit $10,000 or more in new money and maintain a $10,000 balance for 90 days
- Enjoy a $200 bonus when you open a new Chase Total Checking® account and set up direct deposit
- Enjoy a $150 bonus when you open a new Chase Savings℠ account, deposit a total of $10,000 or more in new money within 20 days, and maintain a $10,000 balance for 90 days
- Access to 16,000 Chase ATMs and nearly 4,900 branches
- Open your account online now.
- Chase Mobile® app - Manage your accounts, deposit checks, transfer money and more -- all from your device.
- Available online nationwide except in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico. For branch locations, visit locator.chase.com.
CIT Bank Bonus Offer: $200 for New and Existing Customers
CIT Bank now offers up to $200 cash bonus for new and existing CIT Savings Builder customers. This limited time promotion expires April 16, 2020. Conditions apply.
Discover Online Savings - $200 Cash Bonus
To get your $150 or $200 Bonus offer: What to do: Apply for your first Discover Online Savings Account by 3/2/20, 11:59 PM ET, online or by phone. Enter Offer Code CY220 when applying. Deposit into your account a total of at least $15,000 to earn a $150 Bonus or deposit a total of at least $25,000 to earn a $200 Bonus. Deposit must be posted by 3/16/20, 11:59 PM ET. Maximum bonus eligibility is $200.
What to know: Offer not valid for existing or prior Discover savings customers or existing or prior customers with savings accounts that are co-branded or affinity accounts provided by Discover. Account must be open when bonus is credited. Bonus will be credited to the account by 3/30/20. Bonus is considered interest and will be reported on IRS Form 1099-INT. Offer may be modified/withdrawn without notice. See advertiser website for full details.
Chase Total Checking® + Chase Savings℠
Why Not Both?
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If you can afford the minimum initial deposits, opening a checking AND savings account is the best option.
- You need a checking account for everyday transactions, like purchases and bill pay.
- You need a savings account for short- and long-term goals, whether that's a new car, your first home, or a special vacation. A separate savings account will also help you keep track of that money.
Many banks offer linked accounts. Some even waive their monthly fees as an incentive for opening both. You'll get a debit card that allows access to each account from affiliated ATMs, which makes managing your money easier.
Keeping a linked checking and savings may also spur you on to better savings habits.
You can schedule automatic transfers from your checking account into savings. Or simply transfer funds when your checking account balance reaches a target level.
But be sure to leave enough money in your checking for outstanding bills and expenses!
Bottom Line
A checking account is necessary for everyday use of your money. A savings account is meant to be a place for saving money toward your goals.
Note: Interest rates, fees and minimum balances vary DRASTICALLY depending on the bank or credit union. Choosing where to save your money matters as much, if not more, than deciding the right kind of account for you.
Check out our top online checking accounts and online saving accounts.
Note: This website is made possible through financial relationships with some of the products and services mentioned on this site. We may receive compensation if you shop through links in our content. You do not have to use our links, but you help support CreditDonkey if you do.
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