Free Checking Accounts: March 2024
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Ditch the banking fees. Compare the leading free checking accounts - no large balances needed, no catches, no hassle.
PRO TIP: Right now, one of the best free checking accounts can be found with UFB Direct. Find out more
UFB Freedom Checking & Savings - Unlock Up to 3.71% APY
Combine Freedom Checking with Portfolio Savings to boost your savings APY by up to 0.20%.* Fewer fees, faster transactions. Plus, earn 2.00% APY* on your checking account.
Key Smart Checking® - $300 Bonus
- Open a Key Smart Checking® account online by December 19, 2025.
- Make the minimum opening deposit of $10, plus a total of $2,000 or more in eligible direct deposits within the first 90 days of account opening.
- Your $300 cash bonus will be deposited into your account within 60 days of meeting requirements. Account must not be closed at the time of gift payment.
CreditDonkey's Choice
Business Checking Account - $400 Bonus
- Open a new Truist Simple Business Checking or Dynamic Business Checking account online, via phone, or in a branch from 10/1/2025 through 4/2/2026 and earn $400 by making Qualifying Deposits* of $2,000 or more into your account within 30 days of account opening. Must be a new Truist business checking client, Terms Apply.
- Enrollment in the promotion is required at the time of account opening using promo code SB25Q4BIZAFL to be eligible for a promotion reward. Please refer to the Account Opening & Promotion Enrollment sections below for instructions.
- *Qualifying Deposits for new business checking accounts exclude debit card credit transactions and NSF fee refunds. Deposits can be made on a one-time basis or cumulatively over the 30 days.
Other Checking Offers You May Like
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Got a steady balance in your checking account? Consider these bonus offers. You can dodge the monthly fee by maintaining a certain balance or meeting other simple criteria.
Bank of America Advantage Banking - Up to $500 Cash Offer
- The cash offer up to $500 is an online only offer and must be opened through the Bank of America promotional page.
- The offer is for new checking customers only.
- Offer expires 1/31/2026.
- To qualify, open a new eligible Bank of America Advantage Banking account through the promotional page and set up and receive Qualifying Direct Deposits* into that new eligible account within 90 days of account opening. Your cash bonus amount will be based on the total amount of your Qualifying Direct Deposits received in the first 90 days.
Cash Bonus Total Qualifying Direct Deposits $100 $2,000 $300 $5,000 $500 $10,000+ - If all requirements are met 90 days after account opening, Bank of America will attempt to deposit your bonus into your new eligible account within 60 days.
- Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance Banking® for Family Banking accounts are not eligible for this offer.
- Additional terms and conditions apply. See offer page for more details.
- *A Qualifying Direct Deposit is a direct deposit of regular monthly income – such as your salary, pension or Social Security benefits, which are made by your employer or other payer – using account and routing numbers that you provide to them.
- Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC.
HSBC Premier - Earn Up to $3,500
- Get a $1,000 Cash Bonus: Add and maintain New Deposits of $150,000 to $249,999
- Get a $2,500 Cash Bonus: Add and maintain New Deposits of $250,000 to $499,999
- Get a $3,500 Cash Bonus: Add and maintain New Deposits of $500,000+
Earn a $25 Extra Cash Bonus when you register and logon to the HSBC US Mobile Banking App3 by December 31, 2025.
If all offer requirements are met, Cash Bonuses will be paid by May 31, 2026.
- Monthly Fee: $50 monthly maintenance fee, unless eligibility criteria is met:
- Balances of $100,000 in combined U.S. consumer and qualifying commercial U.S. Dollar deposit and investment accounts; OR
- Monthly recurring direct deposits totaling at least $5,000 from a third party to an HSBC Premier checking account(s); OR
- Any HSBC U.S. residential mortgage loan serviced by HSBC. Home Equity products, loans that are in foreclosure or bankruptcy, and loans for which servicing rights have been transferred are not included.
- Consumers who maintain Private Bank status
Wells Fargo Everyday Checking Account - $325 Bonus
- Get a $325 new checking customer bonus when you open an Everyday Checking account and receive $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits.
- Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Member FDIC
What is a Free Checking Account?
A free checking account typically means there are no monthly service fees or minimum balance required. You don't need to worry about fulfilling any criteria.
However, it doesn't mean there are no fees at all. Banks may still have other account fees for things like overdrafts, out-of-network ATMs, wire transfers, paper statements, etc.
A checking account can also be free if you can meet the requirements to waive the monthly fee. For example, Chase Total Checking charges no monthly fee if you just have qualifying direct deposits of at least $500 each month.
How to Choose a Checking Account
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Here are some things to look for when choosing a checking account:
- Opening deposit: Does the account have a required minimum deposit? There are lots of banks that let you open an account with $0 too.
- Monthly service fee: Some banks charge a monthly service fee unless you keep a certain balance in your checking account. This can become a hassle. Luckily, there are plenty of online banks that don't have monthly fees.
- Additional fees: Like mentioned above, there may be other account fees. Make sure you know what the bank charges so you can avoid them.
- Locations: Do you like to bank in-person? If so, look for a bank with physical branches. If you're ok with completely online banking, you'll have more options for free checking accounts.
- ATM access: Will it be easy to withdraw cash? Check if the bank offers free access to ATMs and if they're available near where you live and work.
- Rewards: Some free checking accounts from online banks even offer rewards, like APY or cashback. These perks make your money go further.
UFB Freedom Checking & Savings - Unlock Up to 3.71% APY
Combine Freedom Checking with Portfolio Savings to boost your savings APY by up to 0.20%.* Fewer fees, faster transactions. Plus, earn 2.00% APY* on your checking account.
- Monthly Fee: $0
UFB Freedom Checking - 2.00% APY
- Earn 2.00% APY* in your checking account, 25x the national average†
- Fewer account fees keep more of your money where it belongs – with you.
- Use your debit card at over 90,000 fee-free ATMs.
- Monthly Fee: No Monthly Maintenance Fee
Key Smart Checking® - $300 Bonus
- Open a Key Smart Checking® account online by December 19, 2025.
- Make the minimum opening deposit of $10, plus a total of $2,000 or more in eligible direct deposits within the first 90 days of account opening.
- Your $300 cash bonus will be deposited into your account within 60 days of meeting requirements. Account must not be closed at the time of gift payment.
- Minimum Deposit to Open: $10
- Monthly Fee: $0
KeyBank Hassle-Free Account® - $300 Bonus
- Open a KeyBank Hassle-Free Account® online by December 19, 2025.
- Make the minimum opening deposit of $10, plus a total of $2,000 or more in eligible direct deposits within the first 90 days of account opening.
- Your $300 cash bonus will be deposited into your account within 60 days of meeting requirements. Account must not be closed at the time of gift payment.
- Minimum Deposit to Open: $10
- Monthly Fee: $0
Compare Savings Accounts Offers
For extra funds you're not using for day-to-day, put them to work in a savings account. Explore these high yield savings accounts to see how your money can do more.
CIT Bank Platinum Savings - $300 Bonus
- Qualify for a $300 cash bonus with a minimum deposit of $50,000
- This limited-time offer to qualify for a $225 cash bonus with a minimum deposit of $25,000 or a $300 bonus with a minimum deposit of $50,000 is available to New and Existing Customers who meet the Platinum Savings promotion criteria. The Promotion begins on September 23, 2025, and can end at any time without notice.
UFB Portfolio Savings - Earn up to 3.51% APY
- Earn up to 3.51% APY.*
- No monthly maintenance fees.
- No minimum deposit required to open an account.
- Access your funds 24/7 with easy-to-use digital banking tools.
- Enjoy peace of mind with FDIC insurance up to the maximum allowance limit – Certificate #35546.
High-Yield Savings Premier - 4.05% APY
- No account fees
- Option to open individual or joint account
- FDIC insured up to $250,000 per depositor
- Only $500 minimum opening deposit
Free Checking FAQs
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Can I open a free checking account online with no deposit?
Yes, a lot of online banks have $0 deposit and let you open a checking account online in just a few minutes. You can open an account online with traditional banks too, but some may require a small opening deposit.
Can I open a debit card for free?
Absolutely. When you open a checking account with most banks and credit unions, they typically include a debit card at no extra charge.
What do I need to open a checking account?
You usually need to provide:
- Your name
- Date of birth
- Address
- Phone and email
- Government issued ID
- Social Security Number
- Proof of address, such as a utility bill
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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