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With a wide variety of checking accounts available to consumers, it can be overwhelming to choose a solution that fulfills your banking needs and helps you achieve your financial goals. Keep in mind that each checking account type offers different benefits and convenient features, like overdraft protection, local surcharge-free ATM access, and even high-interest earnings. The features that should be the most important to you are the ones that align with your unique financial habits!

Traditional Checking Accounts

If you’re looking for an everyday banking account that allows you to make bill payments and offers debit card capabilities, a traditional checking account could be ideal for you. These types of checking products usually offer low or no maintenance fees, especially if you maintain a minimum balance if one is required. You’ll usually have an option to receive an ATM card to withdraw funds or a debit card, which allows you to make ATM withdrawals and purchases.

With a First Harvest Free* Checking Account, members won’t have to worry about monthly service fees or minimum balance requirements when they make just one transaction within a 12-month period to keep the account active. Accountholders may also access our overdraft privilege and can connect to our Digital Banking services, which include bill pay services, direct deposits, mobile check deposits, and our online and mobile banking platforms.

High-Yield Checking Accounts

If you’re someone who keeps a larger amount of money, like a few thousand dollars, in a checking account consistently, then a high-yield checking account would be a beneficial solution. These types of checking products are ideal for individuals looking to earn higher interest on their balance compared to a traditional checking account but want more convenient access to funds than most savings accounts offer.

With these types of accounts, higher minimum balances, recurring direct deposits, or minimum debit card transactions may be required to avoid monthly service charges, with the reward of earning a higher rate on checking account balances.

Our Growth Checking Account offers a competitive high-earning rate with no monthly service fees on accounts with a minimum average daily balance of at least $1,000 or a monthly direct deposit of $500. This solution offers many of the conveniences of our Free* Checking Account, like debit card capabilities, digital banking, and surcharge-free ATM access.

Personal Basic Checking Accounts

If you’re brand new to checking accounts, want the bare minimum, have trouble qualifying for traditional checking products, or are someone who overdrafts often, a basic checking account could be beneficial. Common examples include student checking, second-chance checking, and lifeline checking accounts, which usually have small service or maintenance fees. These simplified checking accounts are helpful for establishing positive spending habits and building better banking history while still offering many banking conveniences like debit card access.

Our First Step Checking program provides account holders with a way to build positive transaction history and gain better control over their finances. This account offers straightforward terms, a minimal monthly service charge, and the ability to avoid overdraft advanced transactions as accountholders are only able to spend within their available account balances. Additionally, individuals can have access to debit card capabilities, direct deposit, online bill pay services, and more.

A checking product is an essential building block on the road to financial independence. While comparing checking accounts, make sure to evaluate the habits, needs, and goals you want to achieve with your checking account. And when evaluating the key account features, consider the priorities: account fees, minimum balance requirements, debit card capabilities, and account protections.