16 Best Checking Accounts of February 2026

If your checking account isn’t serving your needs anymore, you have plenty of other places to turn. 16 Best Checking Accounts of February 2026

Big banks, small banks, online banks, app-based banks, and credit unions of all kinds—each category features standouts that go above and beyond to keep deposit account holders happy.

The people you think are ‘lucky’ just know something about money that you don’t

Stop settling. Peruse this up-to-the-minute list of the best checking accounts in the United States, including some of the top high-interest accounts on the market—and get ready for a better way to bank.

Here are the best bank and credit union checking accounts available in the U.S. This list features customers from the 16 Best Checking Accounts of February 2026.

These are among the best checking account offers for U.S.-based customers at popular banks and credit unions.

Many qualify for inclusion on our list of the best free checking accounts, while others appear on our best bank account promotions page. Some offer additional deposit account types, including online savings and money market accounts with attractive yields.

Each listing includes key details about the account, such as deposit and balance minimums, yield, credit card availability, and possible fees. All financial institutions on this list are members of the FDIC and NCUA unless noted otherwise.

Axos ONE of the 16 Best Checking Accounts of February 2026

You can earn up to 4.21% APY on savings and 0.51% APY on checking by using the Axos ONE integrated bundle.

Axos ONE combines high-yield checking and savings into a single, fee-free banking solution that turns everyday banking into a wealth-building opportunity. Unlike traditional banks that separate checking and savings, Axos ONE integrates both accounts seamlessly with competitive yields on transaction and savings balances.

Minimum Deposit and Balance Requirements: There’s no minimum opening deposit or ongoing balance requirements. However, to earn promotional rates, choose either $1,500+ in monthly direct deposits with an average daily balance above $1,500, or $5,000+ in qualifying deposits with an average daily balance over $5,000. Without meeting requirements, checking earns nothing, and savings earns a competitive 1.00% APY base rate.
Account Opening Bonus: None.
Yield: Earn up to 4.21% APY on savings and 0.51% APY on checking when meeting monthly qualification requirements.
Rewards and Incentives: Get paid up to two days early with direct deposit, access to 95,000+ fee-free ATMs nationwide (exceeding Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo), up to $10 monthly in out-of-network ATM fee reimbursements, and an integrated mobile app with seamless transfers and real-time budgeting tools. For additional security, Axos ONE customers can access expanded FDIC insurance up to $265 million through Axos Bank InsureGuard+ Savings powered by IntraFi Network Deposits.
Possible Fees: None. There are no monthly maintenance fees, no minimum balance requirements, no overdraft fees, and no account opening fees.

Chase Total Checking®

Chase Total Checking® is a convenient checking account backed by Chase’s nationwide branch and ATM network.

It also has one of the best bank account bonuses around, worth $400 with qualifying activities. To earn it, simply open your new checking account using the links above or below, or enter your email here and take the coupon to a local Chase branch.

Then, set up a direct deposit within 90 days of coupon enrollment. You’ll receive a $400 bonus within 15 business days. However, you must apply by April 15, 2026, to receive the APY on all balances above $0.01.

Minimum Deposit and Balance Requirements: None, but a $15 monthly maintenance fee applies in statement cycles when you don’t meet direct deposit or balance requirements (see possible fees below).
Account Opening Bonus: Open your new Chase Total Checking account by April 15, 2026, and set up direct deposits totaling $1,000 or more within 90 days of coupon enrolment. If you complete these qualifying activities, you’ll receive a $400 bonus within 15 business days.
Rewards and Incentives: Chase has the largest branch network in the U.S. with thousands of ATMs and branches. Unlock more offers with Chase and earn up to $500 per calendar year by referring friends and family. Plus, get cash back from top brands with Chase Offers when you use your debit card.
Possible Fees: Avoid the $15 monthly maintenance fee by doing one of the following in a statement period: have direct deposits made into this account totalling $500 or more; OR keep a balance at the beginning of each day of $1,500 or more in your checking account; OR keep an average beginning day balance of $5,000 or more in any combination of this account and linked qualifying Chase checking, savings, and other eligible balances; OR pay at least $25 or more in qualifying checking-related services or fees.

Huntington Bank Huntington Perks Checking ℠

Huntington Bank’s Huntington Perks CheckingSM is an interest-bearing account with no minimum deposit to open.

Huntington Perks Checking account holders with connected consumer accounts enjoy relationship benefits based on balances in all shared accounts, whether owned individually or jointly with someone else.

Minimum Deposit and Balance Requirements: There’s no minimum deposit to open this account. To avoid the $5 monthly maintenance fee, maintain at least $5,000 in total relationship balances. ‡.
Account Opening Bonus: You can earn a bonus by opening a Huntington Perks account. Check the SM account during the offer period and earn $400 when you make qualifying direct deposits within 90 days of account opening and keep your account open for a minimum of 90 days. You should receive the bonus in your new account within 14 days of completing these qualifying activities.
Yield: See disclosures for current yield information.
Rewards and Incentives: Each statement period, Huntington Bank waives up to 5 non-Huntington ATM withdrawal fees and reimburses associated fees charged by another ATM owner. Plus, get 1.05% cash back on purchases made with your linked Voice Credit Card with Rewards.

16 Best Checking Accounts of February 2026 Chime® Checking Account of

Get Paid Up to Two Days Early

Chime offers early direct deposit for qualifying customers. Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the payment file submission from the payer. Funds are generally made available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.

Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over-the-counter advance fees may apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM.

The account includes automatic savings features. Round Ups automatically round up debit card purchases to the nearest dollar and transfer the round-up from your Chime Checking Account to your savings account. You can automatically transfer part of your direct deposit of $1 or more from your checking account to your selected Chime account. The Annual Percentage Yield (“APY”) of 1.00% for the Chime Savings Account is variable and may change at any time. The disclosed APY is effective as of December 9, 2025. No minimum balance required. To earn interest, you must have $0.01 in savings.

Minimum Deposit and Balance Requirements: There’s no minimum opening deposit and no minimum daily balance.
Account Opening Bonus: None.
Yield: None, but Chime’s high-yield savings account may earn a yield on all balances above $0.01 with no minimum deposit or balance requirements.
Rewards and Incentives: Chime has no monthly fees. SpotMe® is an optional service that requires a single qualifying direct deposit of $200 or more to your Chime Checking Account. Chime may increase limits up to $200 based on factors such as account history and activity.
Possible Fees: Out-of-network ATM withdrawal and over-the-counter advance fees may apply.

GO2bank

You can earn up to 7% cash back when you purchase eGift cards through the app. 4.50% APY is paid quarterly on savings accounts with balances up to $5,000.

GO2bank^TM offers a user-friendly online bank account with a strong yield on savings: 4.50% APY² on savings up to $5,000. The account also earns up to 7% cash back on eligible electronic gift card purchases in the app.

To avoid the $5 monthly fee, set up an eligible direct deposit. Plus, enjoy the opportunity to:

You can receive your payment up to two days earlier with ASAP Direct Deposit™. ³
Deposit cash at participating retail stores, subject to fees and deposit limits that may apply
Enjoy up to $200 in overdraft protection with opt-in and eligible direct deposit

Overdrafts are paid at GO2bank’s discretion. Terms and conditions apply.

Minimum Deposit and Balance Requirements: GO2bank has no minimum opening deposit or ongoing balance requirements.
Yield: Earn 4.50% APY² on savings up to $5,000.
Rewards and Incentives: Get paid up to two days early with ASAP Direct Deposit™³ and earn up to 7% cash back on eGift Card purchases made in the app (3% cash back on Amazon gift card purchases).
Possible Fees: Set up eligible direct deposits to avoid the $5 monthly fee. A $15 fee may apply to each overdraft transaction if it is not repaid within 24 hours of the first overdraft. See other simple fees at GO2bank.com.

Varo Bank Account: One of the 16 Best Checking Accounts of February 2026

No Monthly Account Fees or Minimums

The Varo Bank Account is an easy-to-use online checking account with no monthly banking fees and no minimum deposit or balance requirements. Its core benefits include:

Qualify for early direct deposit if your payer files to the Federal Reserve to begin the payment process.
Fee-free withdrawals at more than 55,000 Allpoint ATMs
Qualify for a pay cheque cash advance up to $100* with one simple fee and no APR
Get up to 15% cashback with Perks.**
Take the opportunity to apply for a secured credit card (Varo Believe) to help build credit

HSBC Premier of 16 Best Checking Accounts of February 2026

An HSBC Premier account comes with the following features:

Free International account opening and portable credit history
No fees* for Global Transfers between eligible HSBC accounts worldwide
Convert, hold and send money abroad with no transfer fees* with our Global Money account
No foreign transaction fees* using your Premier debit or credit card
No U.S. HSBC ATM fees* worldwide

An HSBC Premier checking account has a $50 monthly maintenance fee* that can be waived if you meet any of the following:

Maintain balances of $75,000 in combined U.S. consumer and qualifying commercial U.S. Dollar deposit and investment accounts
Have monthly recurring direct deposits totaling at least $5,000 from a third party to an HSBC Premier checking account(s)
Have an HSBC U.S. residential mortgage loan with an original loan amount of at least $500,000, not an aggregate of multiple mortgages. Home Equity products are not included.

PNC Virtual Wallet®

Earn an Account Opening Bonus Worth Up to $400 With Qualifying Activities

PNC Virtual Wallet® is a 3-in-1 solution that combines a checking account (Spend) for day-to-day spending, a short-term checking bucket (Reserve), and a longer-term savings account (Growth). For a limited time, new account holders can take advantage of an account opening bonus worth up to $400 after completing qualifying activities.

Minimum Deposit and Balance Requirements: The minimum deposit for an account opened is $0.
Account Opening Bonus: Open a new virtual wallet and establish direct deposits totalling $500 or more in the Spend account to earn a $100 bonus. Open a new Virtual Wallet with Performance Spend and establish direct deposit(s) totaling $2,000 or more to the Spend account to earn a $200 bonus. Alternatively, you can open a new Virtual Wallet with Performance. Select and establish direct deposit(s) totalling $5,000 or more to earn a $400 bonus. Your account must be open by September 3, 2024, to qualify. Other terms and restrictions apply.
Yield: See terms for the latest yields on Reserve and Growth balances.
Rewards and Incentives: Get up to 2 PNC fee reimbursements per statement cycle for domestic or international non-PNC ATM transactions, plus up to $10 in monthly reimbursements for other institutions’ ATM fees.

SoFi Checking and Savings

There are virtually no fees, and you can get paid up to 2 days early with direct deposit. Early With Direct deposit

SoFi Checking and Savings is a virtually fee-free deposit account. Its account opening bonus consistently ranks among the best new bank promotions available.

And, if you have excellent credit and you’re shopping around for an affordable loan, don’t miss SoFi’s extensive credit product lineup: student loan refinancing, personal loans, home loans, and more.

Minimum Deposit and Balance Requirements: None.
Account Opening Bonus: Earn a bonus worth up to $250 when you open an account and complete qualifying activities.
Yield: Earn up to 3.80% APY*.
Rewards and Incentives: SoFi members enjoy rate discounts on SoFi loans, free P2P transfers, customized financial planning, and exclusive offers from SoFi partners. SoFi also has a referral program that pays up to $310 for each successful referral. Plus, enjoy no-fee overdraft coverage.
Possible Fees: Virtually none. See SoFi’s account disclosures for more details.

Wealthfront Cash Account: 16 Best Checking Accounts of February 2026

You can earn up to 5.00% APY, depending on your balance tier.

Wealthfront bolsters its highly regarded investment management services with a top-tier checking account known as the Cash Account.

With a very low minimum opening deposit, a high yield on all balances, no account fees, and many value-added features—including Self-Driving Money™, one of the most powerful tools for automating money management available to U.S. consumers—it’s an ideal choice for your everyday money management needs.

Minimum Deposit and Balance Requirements: The minimum opening deposit is $1. There’s no ongoing maintenance fee.
Yield: Currently 5.00% APY on all balances.
Account Opening Bonus: For a limited time, get a $30 bonus cash when you open a Wealthfront Cash Account and fund your new account with at least $500 in new money. Terms apply. Open your account here.
Rewards and Incentives: Get paid up to two days early with direct deposit and use the handy mobile check deposit feature for paper checks. Plus, put deposits to work in the market within minutes when you use your Cash Account to invest in a Wealthfront Investment Account. Enjoy FDIC insurance on balances up to $8 million (compared with standard coverage that tops out at $250,000) and free in-network ATM access. You can pay friends with apps like Cash App, Venmo, PayPal, and others too.
Possible Fees: Wealthfront is known for low fees. Notably, it doesn’t charge any account fees or overdraft fees. See disclosures for a complete accounting of possible fees.

Betterment Checking Account of 16 Best Checking Accounts of February 2026

Earn 4.35% APY (Variable) With Betterment Cash Reserve

Backed by Betterment, a pioneering robo-advisor and leading innovator in the digital investing space, Betterment Checking is a mobile-first banking experience with no account minimums and virtually no fees.

As an accountholder, you enjoy access to a potentially generous rewards program (Betterment Cash Back Rewards) and unlimited automatic ATM fee reimbursements at all Visa-accepting machines worldwide.

Boost your return on excess cash by linking your Betterment. You can boost your return on excess cash by linking your Betterment. Checking account to an interest-bearing Betterment Cash Reserve cash management account and using Betterment’s Two-Way Sweep feature to execute transfers effortlessly. Sweep features allow you to execute transfers without even thinking about them.

Minimum Deposit and Balance Requirements: There is neither a minimum opening deposit nor a minimum daily balance.
Account Opening Bonus: None.
Yield: None, but the Betterment Cash Reserve cash management account earns 4.35% APY (variable) on all balances (subject to the $10 minimum deposit requirement).
Rewards and Incentives: Enjoy potentially generous rewards with select partner merchants through Betterment Cash Back Rewards. Plus, get automatic ATM transaction fee reimbursements at nearly 3 million Visa-accepting machines worldwide, plus unlimited reimbursement of Visa’s 1% foreign transaction fee on all international transactions and purchases.
Possible Fees: See Betterment’s website for a complete list of possible fees.

Umpqua Bank Embark Checking: 16 Best Checking Accounts of February 2026

Get Up to $10 in ATM Fee Reimbursements Each Cycle

The Embark Checking account from Umpqua Bank offers a potentially valuable two-for-one deal.

Make at least one transfer from your Embark. Deposit into your Grow Savings account during a statement cycle to avoid the maintenance fee and to accelerate the growth of your funds compared to a traditional checking account. Transfer the funds from your Embark. Check your account to your Grow Savings account within a statement cycle to avoid the savings account maintenance fee and to accelerate the growth of your funds compared to a traditional checking account.

In the meantime, enjoy no monthly maintenance fees and very low initial deposit requirements. Keep at least $2,500 in your account to qualify for $10 in monthly ATM rebates.

Minimum Deposit and Balance Requirements: You need $25 to open an Embark Checking account. There’s no minimum daily balance requirement thereafter, but you must maintain an average daily balance of at least $2,500 to qualify for $10 in ATM reimbursements each month.
Account Opening Bonus: None.
Yield: None.
Rewards and Incentives: Umpqua Bank reimburses the first $10 in ATM fees each month when you maintain an average minimum daily balance of $2,500 during the period. The Go-To app provides on-the-go financial advice from your mobile device and offers unlimited reimbursements for all U.S. ATM fees. And you enjoy a complimentary Grow Savings account (with no monthly maintenance charge) when you complete at least one qualifying monthly transfer from your Embark Checking account.
Possible fees include charges for stop payments, paper statements, and dormant accounts.

LendingClub Bank Rewards Checking: 16 Best Checking Accounts of February 2026

Earn Unlimited 1% Cash Back

The Rewards Checking account from LendingClub Bank offers an unlimited 1% cash-back reward on online and signature-based debit card transactions and moderate yields for high-balance accounts.

The catch: LendingClub Bank requires a minimum account balance of $2,500 or at least $2,500 in qualifying direct deposits each month to be eligible for cash back.

But Rewards Checking has no hidden fees and offers the opportunity to receive direct deposits up to two days early (depending on the policies of your payer and their bank).

Minimum Deposit and Balance Requirements: After the $100 minimum opening deposit, there’s no minimum daily balance requirement.
Account Opening Bonus: None.
Yield: Earn a decent APY on eligible balances. APY increases for higher balances.
Rewards and Incentives: Earn unlimited 1% cash back on online and signature-based debit card transactions (when you select “credit” at the point of sale). To qualify for rewards, you must do one of the following: receive a direct deposit into your account from a qualifying source of income (usually an employer or government benefits provider) totaling $2,500 or more, or maintain an average balance of $2,500 or more in your Rewards Checking account. Separately, you can receive direct deposits up to two days early.
Possible Fees: See LendingClub Bank’s terms and conditions for details about possible account fees.

Ally Bank Interest Checking: 16 Best Checking Accounts of February 2026

Earn Up to Yield: Earn 0.25% APY on Qualifying Balances

The Ally Bank Interest Checking account is a fee-free online checking account with no minimums, no maintenance fee, and solid yields on all balances.

An unusually customer-friendly mix of account features, including the option to open accounts in the name of a trust, no overdraft fees (ever), and an automatic round-up feature that can increase your savings rate with no action required, makes this one of the better checking accounts around.

Minimum Deposit and Balance Requirements: Ally Bank does not require a minimum opening deposit or ongoing balance.
Account Opening Bonus: None.
Yield: Earn 0.10% APY on balances up to $15,000 and 0.25% APY on balances above $15,000. Ally Bank uses the minimum daily balance method to calculate account balances.
Rewards and Incentives: Ally Interest Checking boasts fee-free mobile check deposits and fee-free access to more than 40,000 Allpoint ATMs, and a free feature that automatically rounds checking transactions to the next dollar and deposits the difference in your savings account. Ally Bank also issues a credit card that may be of interest to customers looking for better rewards than a debit card can provide (assuming their credit scores qualify).
Possible Fees: Ally Bank charges few fees and never levies a monthly maintenance fee or fee for ACH transfers (wire transfers may incur fees). See terms and conditions for a full accounting of possible fees.

Alliant Credit Union High-Rate Checking of 16 Best Checking Accounts of February 2026

Solid Returns on Qualifying Balances

The Alliant Credit Union High-Rate Checking account is another maintenance-fee-free online checking account with an above-average yield and a slew of customer-friendly benefits, including up to $20 in monthly ATM rebates, 80,000 fee-free ATMs, mobile check deposit, and free optional overdraft protection.

Alliant accounts are compatible with major mobile payment apps (including Apple Pay, Samsung Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, and Venmo) and come with a contactless Visa debit card too.

Minimum Deposit and Balance Requirements: Alliant doesn’t require a minimum opening deposit or ongoing balance.
Account Opening Bonus: None, though the Alliant Ultimate Opportunity Savings account may offer bonus opportunities to new customers.
Yield: Earn an above-average APY (subject to change) on eligible balances when you opt in to eStatements and make at least one deposit per month.
Rewards and Incentives: Enjoy fee-free mobile check deposits, fee-free access to more than 80,000 ATMs, and fee-free overdraft protection when you opt in.
Possible Fees: There’s a $25 fee for each NSF transaction or a $28 fee per occurrence if Alliant chooses to honor the charge (Courtesy Pay).

Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking (Charles Schwab)

Earn Interest on All Balances

It’s somewhat misleading to refer to the Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking product as a true high-yield checking account, given its nominal yield.

Then again, something is better than nothing, and Schwab does pay interest on all High Yield Investor Checking balances with no minimum balance or transaction requirements.

This account has some additional perks for travelers that deserve mention. Account holders enjoy unlimited ATM fee reimbursements worldwide and never pay foreign transaction fees, for example, though currency exchange costs still apply.

Minimum Deposit and Balance Requirements: There’s no ongoing balance or transaction requirement.
Account Opening Bonus: None.
Yield: This account offers a nominal yield on all balances.
Rewards and Incentives: Enjoy unlimited ATM fee reimbursements worldwide and no foreign transaction fees.
Possible Fees: See terms for a complete list of possible fees.

Final Word

There’s no law against having two checking accounts (or more) at more than one bank or credit union. If you simply can’t choose between the options on this list, why not spread your liquid funds among those that seem best suited to your needs?