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Standout Online Checking Accounts

There are a lot of checking accounts out there. So many, in fact, it can be overwhelming to weed through all the options — good and bad — and then confidently choose one. Social scientists call this “information overload”. We call it inconvenient.

To get the most from your checking account, you need low fees, good customer support and free ATMs nearby. If you earn interest on your cash, even better. Compare standout checking accounts from our partners below.

There are a lot of checking accounts out there. So many, in fact, it can be overwhelming to weed through all the options — good and bad — and then confidently choose one. Social scientists call this “information overload”. We call it inconvenient.

To get the most from your checking account, you need low fees, good customer support and free ATMs nearby. If you earn interest on your cash, even better. Compare standout checking accounts from our partners below.

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at Chime, Deposits are FDIC Insured

Chime Spending Account

4.5

NerdWallet rating

Monthly Fee

$0

APY

N/A

Bonus

N/A

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at Chime, Deposits are FDIC Insured

Bonus

N/A

Why we like it

Chime is a mobile checking account that has no minimum balance requirements or overdraft fees, and you have access to more than 38,000 fee-free MoneyPass and Visa Plus Alliance ATMs. There are also no monthly fees, though cash withdrawal and third-party fees may apply. Through Chime’s early direct deposit service, customers can get their paychecks up to two days earlier than if they cashed their checks at a bank, though early access to direct deposit funds depends on payer.

This account works best for people who don’t write many checks or make cash deposits. If you need to write a check, Chime has an online feature that creates and mails one on your behalf. For cash deposits, you’ll need to use a third-party service.

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HSBC Premier Checking - $450 Welcome Deposit

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at HSBC, Member FDIC

HSBC Premier Checking - $450 Welcome Deposit

2.0

NerdWallet rating

Monthly Fee

$50.00

Waived with direct deposit or $75,000 minimum balance

APY

0.01%

With $5 minimum balance

Bonus

$450

Requirements to qualify

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at HSBC, Member FDIC

Bonus

$450

Requirements to qualify

Why we like it

HSBC is a huge international bank with about 220 locations in a handful of U.S. states, mostly on the East Coast. Access isn’t its strong suit — there aren’t many branches or ATMs, especially outside of major cities, and the website can be difficult to navigate. However, you can easily open and avoid fees on HSBC’s basic products, including its competitive Direct Savings account.

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at Radius, Member FDIC

Radius Rewards Checking

5.0

NerdWallet rating

Monthly Fee

$0

APY

0.10%

With $2,500 minimum balance

Bonus

N/A

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at Radius, Member FDIC

Bonus

N/A

Why we like it

The new Rewards Checking, launched in September 2019, combines the features of two previous accounts, Hybrid and Rewards Checking. You can earn 1% cash back on signature-based purchases in stores and online (at store checkouts, you select “credit” instead of “debit”). If your balance hits $2,500, a 0.10% annual percentage yield kicks in. If you have $100,000 or more, the rate becomes 0.15% APY.

Radius has only one full-service branch, in Boston, so you’ll have to be comfortable banking online.

For more details on Radius Bank, read our full review.

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Why online checking accounts dominate the list

Some important factors for virtually every bank-shopper are monthly fees, ATM access and interest rates (since they have the biggest impact on your bottom line). And, as it happens, online banks typically offer higher interest rates.