When personal finance blogger Allan Liwanag was establishing his career and living paycheck to paycheck, he often had just enough money to cover his expenses each month. He ran into an issue with an old checking account that caused him some major grief.
“I forgot to account for the $15 monthly fee that the bank would charge,” Liwanag says. “So I was short covering my rent. It was a stressful situation because I didn’t know at first if the bank would process the payment for the rent or not.” The bank ultimately covered it, but Liwanag got charged $35 for an insufficient funds feeâon top of the original monthly fee.
Liwanag, who now runs a consumer money-saving site called The Practical Saver, learned a lot from that experience. The main point being, checking accounts can rack up feesâeven for standard activity. In fact, bank fees, including those for ATM usage and overdrafts, continue to rise year-over-year, according to a 2019 Bankrate survey. As Liwanag learned, fees could eat away at the funds in your checking account, which may become problematic when it’s time to pay bills or take care of other expenses.
What you may not know is that there are no-fee checking account options without the hassle of common fees. Discover®Cashback Debit, a no-fee checking account, for instance, doesn’t charge any account fees.1 It also offers no-fee checking without an opening deposit requirement, which is especially beneficial if you’re starting with a small balance or plan to make big withdrawals or transfers.
So you might be thinking right about now, “What are the benefits of a no-fee checking account?” To answer that question, it’s important to understand what types of fees you may be racking up and how you can make the most of a no-fee account. Let’s get to it.
Bank fees, including those for ATM usage and overdrafts, continue to rise year-over-year.
Your most common checking account fees
Checking account fees can become a trap you may not realize you’ve fallen into until it’s too late. It’s possible to be charged fees just for keeping your account open or for services or features you may have assumed came standard with the account. Being charged a fee doesn’t necessarily mean you’ve done anything wrong, but it’s a hassle you can avoid with the proper research.
Here is a list of some of the common checking account fees you could be paying:
Monthly fees to maintain or service your account
Overdraft or insufficient funds fees
ATM fees
Fees to order books of checks
Online bill pay fees
Stop payment fees
Replacement debit card fees
Not sure which checking account fees you’re dishing out for? Contact your bank or visit its website to get a copy of your deposit account agreement. This document usually has a list of fees related to your checking account that may apply to you.
Another good tipoff: “If you see monthly, quarterly or annual fees broken out on your monthly bank statement, you’ll know whether your account is truly no-fee,” says CPA and financial analyst Riley Adams of Young and the Invested, a site with strategies for financial independence.
It’s important to review your statements regularly to identify which fees you are being charged and to determine how that’s impacting your budget.
3 benefits of a no-fee checking account
Now that you’ve identified the many possible checking account fees you could be charged, you’ll find that the benefits of a no-fee checking account go beyond just freeing up some cash in your budget. In addition to the features you’re used to with a regular checking account, a no-fee checking account gives you a financial edge in the following ways:
More money for your financial goals. “Having a no-fee checking account can help you get ahead financially,” Adams says. “Instead of paying monthly service fees and even overdraft fees, you can apply that money toward your own financial goals.” The money you save on fees could be used to pay down debt, boost a savings account or help fund an education, business venture or vacation.
Flexibility. A benefit of a no-fee checking account is that it allows you to bank on your terms. If you’re just starting out, a no-fee checking account without an opening deposit requirement means you have the flexibility to fund the account with whatever amount makes sense for you. Need to make a big transfer from checking to savings? No problem, since you won’t have to worry about dipping below a minimum balance threshold. You can even go on your merry way using ATMs in your bank’s network without being restricted by fees, and if you accidentally overdraw, your no-fee account’s flexibility may save you the stress of a ding for insufficient funds.
No surprises. “Should I get a no-fee checking account?” was an easy decision for Liwanag because he knows exactly what to expect with one. “A plus of no-fee accounts is that you can rest assured that unaccounted-for or surprise fees will not kick you into overdraft,” Liwanag says. (Or, in other words, less s-t-r-e-s-s.)
Manage your finances with multiple no-fee accounts
There are also ways that no-fee checking accounts can help you better manage your income and expenses, in case you’re still wondering, “Should I get a no-fee checking account?”
Liwanag had no problem answering that question: âI have four,” he says, “which I use for easily tracking specific budget categories or expenses.”
As he explains, it can be easier to track expenses when money for different priorities, such as his emergency fund or that much-needed vacation, is bucketed into different no-fee checking accounts. Because he may be charged fees for excessive withdrawals from a savings account, Liwanag uses his no-fee checking accounts to manage the money he’ll need to access frequently for specific purposes.
The best part: Maintaining multiple checking accounts doesn’t cost him extra since a benefit of no-fee checking accounts means fees aren’t in the equation, he says. Some banks do have limits on how many checking accounts you can open, so be sure to consider this if you’re using a multiple account strategy like Liwanag.
Keeping your expenses organized is a pretty big motivator; so if you’ve answered “yes” to the question, “Should I get a no-fee checking account?”, the next step is knowing how to choose one.
Find the best no-fee checking account for your needs
Although the benefits of a no-fee checking account are key, don’t lose your head too much and forget to consider other checking account features that match your lifestyle. If customer service is your deal breaker, make sure the bank offers it around the clock and that it’s recognized for being top-notch. If you’re always on the go and your phone is right there with you, mobile features and mobile check deposit may be on the top of your list. If you’re regularly withdrawing cash, evaluate the bank’s network of no-fee ATMs and see if an ATM locator is offered to make tracking them down a breeze.
Why should credit cards have all the fun?
Now you can earn cash back with your debit card.
Learn More
Discover Bank, Member FDIC
If the benefits of a no-fee checking account are top of mind, you may also want to consider the perks of a rewards checking account. For example, Discover’s Cashback Debit even offers 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month.2 So on top of a no-fees savings strategy to meet your goals, you could also earn up to $360 a year. (Vacation, here we come!)
Start on your path to smart checking
Clearly, the benefits of a no-fee checking account and a no-fee checking account without an opening deposit requirement are numerous. Just be sure to do your research, then compare your findings carefully. The no-fee checking account you choose should ultimately help you reach your personal financial goals. You may find that saving on fees and reducing financial stress could be just the edge you need to set your checking account on the best course.
1Outgoing wire transfers are subject to a service charge. You may be charged a fee by a non-Discover ATM if it is not part of the 60,000+ ATMs in our no-fee network.
2ATM transactions, the purchase of money orders or other cash equivalents, cash over portions of point-of-sale transactions, Peer-to-Peer (P2P) payments (such as Apple Pay Cash), and loan payments or account funding made with your debit card are not eligible for cash back rewards. In addition, purchases made using third-party payment accounts (services such as Venmo® and PayPal®, who also provide P2P payments) may not be eligible for cash back rewards. Apple, the Apple logo and Apple Pay are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Venmo and PayPal are registered trademarks of PayPal, Inc.
The post Should I Get a No-Fee Checking Account? appeared first on Discover Bank – Banking Topics Blog.
When’s the last time you made an appearance at a bank branch? With the latest digital technology, there’s almost no reason to step inside a physical bank: Nearly three-quarters of Americans bank primarily online or from their mobile device, according to the American Bankers Association.
But you might still like the idea of having a checking account at a bank with a branch nearby. Why? Maybe you think online banks aren’t as convenient as stopping by your neighborhood branch to get cash (free coffee aside), the perks aren’t as good as with traditional banks or that online banks aren’t insured. Actually, these are three of several big myths about online banking.
âPeople who say online bank accounts are inconvenient may not know how they work,” says Monica Lam, founder of money-saving blog Lucky Mojito. âI can mobile deposit a check into my account at any time without having to drive to the bank and wait in line.”
Lam wishes she hadn’t fallen for common online banking myths and took the benefits of online checking accounts more seriously sooner. âIf someone had told me I could avoid using gas or spending time going to the bank to deposit my checks,” Lam says, âI would have switched a long time ago.”
By now you’re probably wondering, “What are the most common myths about online banking?” We reveal themâand debunk themâso you can understand why opening an online checking account might be right for you.
Myth 1: They’re inconvenient
Don’t just take Lam’s word that inconvenience is an online banking myth. Patricia Russell, a certified financial planner at FinanceMarvel, agrees. âSome online accounts offer 24/7 access to many features of the bank. You can open your account, view your balance, deposit checks, apply for loans and pay billsâall from the convenience of the mobile app or website,” Russell says.
Nearly three-quarters of Americans bank primarily online or from their mobile device.
In fact, some online banks make it easy and convenient to open an account. âOnline accounts are extremely easy to open,” says Miguel A. Suro, founder of the financial blog The Rich Miser. âAll you have to do is go to the website or download the app and follow the simple prompts.”
If convenience is on your mind, you may also worry about the ability to access cash without a physical bank branch, but online banks may have a large network of ATMs that you can use, Russell says. For instance, with Discover’s online checking account, called Cashback Debit, you can use your debit card at over 60,000 no-fee ATMs. How’s that for debunking myths about online checking?
Myth 2: The perks aren’t as good as with traditional banks
If you believe this, you’ve fallen for one of the most common myths about online banking.
Suro thinks one reason you may be able to score benefits from some online banks is that low overhead often means incentives can be passed down to the consumer.
One such incentive that disproves this myth about online checking is that many online banks charge low or no fees.
“You may be able to pay no fees for routine banking,” Suro says, “such as just having an account, ordering checks, ATM access and most money transfers.”
Discover Cashback Debit, for example, charges no fees. Period. That means you won’t be charged an account fee on your online checking account.1 Imagine, a host of potential fee-carrying features you no longer have to worry about!
Why should credit cards have all the fun?
Now you can earn cash back with your debit card.
Learn More
Discover Bank, Member FDIC
Another perk on the online checking account sceneâdiscrediting this myth about online checkingâis cash back rewards, which have more traditionally been associated with credit cards. With Discover Cashback Debit, you can earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases monthly.2 That means your monthly cash back earnings could yield $360 in total rewards each year. This perk could be covering a good portion of your coffee habit!
You may also find this online banking myth refuted with the fact that some online checking accounts offer higher yields compared to traditional banks, Lam says, which means you can potentially make some cash while your funds are stashed.
Myth 3: You have to be tech savvy to use online accounts
While you need to have a computer, tablet or smartphone to use an online bank and access an online checking account, one of the top myths about online banking is that you have to be a techie.
âThere is no need to know a lot about technology to have an online account,” Russell says. âSome banks know the importance of easy-to-use websites and mobile apps, so they often have a design that is simple and straightforwardâeven for those claiming not to be tech savvy.”
Lam, who recently opened a new online bank account, also challenges this myth about online banking. âI went online and filled out a simple form and instantly had access to my account,” she says.
Suro has had an online bank account for 10 years and has not found the technology to be challenging, debunking this myth about online checking. âIf you can manage your traditional bank’s account online via its website or app, you can manage an online-only account,” Suro says. âIt’s the same basic experience.”
âIf you can manage your traditional bank’s account online via its website or app, you can manage an online-only account. It’s the same basic experience.”
Myth 4: You won’t be able to talk to a human if there’s a problem
Another online banking myth is that you won’t be able to access good customer service for your online checking account because you can’t walk into a branch to talk to someone. Not so fast.
Some online banks have customer service representatives that you can call, and some may even have this service available around the clock (no need to even leave the comfort of your home if you have a question). For instance, Discover’s customer service is available 24/7.
âYou no longer have to make it to the bank before it closes, you can actually contact the bank in the evening and get an answer,” Russell says.
If you’re all about communication from your favorite device, note that some online banks offer digital customer service through the bank’s website or app, calling into question this myth about online checking. âMany online banks offer [live] chat,” Russell says. You may also be able to contact an online bank’s customer service through social media.
Despite the face-to-face opportunity, Suro doesn’t think bank branches are necessarily better at providing customer service. He once needed to send a wire transfer and easily figured out how to do it online. When his relative went into a branch to do the same thing, he got held up. “The whole thing turned into an ordeal that took over 45 minutes,” Suro says.
Myth 5: Online checking isn’t insured
One final online banking myth is that deposited money isn’t insured.
Online banks can be members of the FDIC, which means they insure your money up to $250,000 or the maximum allowed by law, Lam says. Before you open an account, you’ll want to make sure that the online bank is FDIC-insured. One way to do this is to call the FDIC’s toll-free number at 1-877-ASK FDIC (1-877-275-3342) and ask a deposit insurance specialist to confirm that the online bank in question is FDIC-insured. The FDIC’s online tool BankFind also allows you to search banks by name and informs you of their FDIC number and status, among other information. Banks often include language on their websites and in marketing materials noting if they are members of the FDIC, so be sure to look for that as well.
No myths about online bankingâonly a new reality
“Despite the benefits of online banks, many people don’t open accounts because of all these misconceptions,” Russell says.
Now that some of the common online banking myths have been challenged, you can more easily see the simplicity of online accounts and the time saved by banking onlineâtwo key reasons Suro is a huge proponent.
âThat’s why banking online is one of my core strategies for effortlessly saving money and moving through life more efficiently,” he adds.
1 Outgoing wire transfers are subject to a service charge. You may be charged a fee by a non-Discover ATM if it is not part of the 60,000+ ATMs in our no-fee network.
2 ATM transactions, the purchase of money orders or other cash equivalents, cash over portions of point-of-sale transactions, Peer-to-Peer (P2P) payments (such as Apple Pay Cash), and loan payments or account funding made with your debit card are not eligible for cash back rewards. In addition, purchases made using third-party payment accounts (services such as Venmo® and PayPalTM, who also provide P2P payments) may not be eligible for cash back rewards. Apple, the Apple logo and Apple Pay are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
The post 5 Online Banking Myths Debunked appeared first on Discover Bank – Banking Topics Blog.
It’s a nonstop day. The usual. You’re at the grocery store, grabbing a few things for dinner (note to self: hit the ATM on the way out!), then a much-needed coffee at the drive-through (swipe that debit card), before you drop your tween at her first day of basketball practice (remember to bring your checkbook). Phew. And you’re only halfway done.
In the middle of it all, you certainly don’t want the nagging feeling that you can’t access your money at a moment’s notice, that you’re missing spending perks or that you’ll be hit with unnecessary fees. So a good question for you might be, “What’s the best checking account for busy families?”
How about a checking account that matches your lifestyle? Robert Farrington, founder of millennial personal finance site The College Investor and father of two, suggests that banking for busy parents should include an account that is âconducive to an on-the-move life.”
With everything on your plate, you may not realize that as your family’s needs change, the way you manage your money will likely need to change too. The good news is that many financial institutions offer bank accounts for busy families like yours, designed with features aimed at supporting your active lifestyle.
To select the checking account that best serves your needs, Farrington recommends first examining your current patterns. âNotice how you deposit money and how you spend it,” Farrington says. âLook at your banking trends and see where you’re being charged.”
Next, identify the unique features offered by each new checking account you are considering. To help you do that, here are four key things to look for as you narrow down your search:
1. Cash back rewards: More bang for your buck
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it costs about $12,980 a year to raise a child. Even if your kids get their share of hand-me-downs and you don’t buy them everything they want, you’re still spending a lot. The biggest costsâafter housing (29 percent of child-rearing costs)âare food (18 percent) and child care/education (16 percent). None of that even includes birthdays, holidays and so on…
If you’re trying to find the best checking account for busy families, consider that all those purchases could be a little less painful with a checking account that rewards spending, typically in the form of cash back or rewards points.
Ashley Patrick, founder of the blog Budgets Made Easy, loves the idea of a checking account that offers rewards. Patrick, whose blog tells the story of how she paid off $45,000 of debt in 17 months, recommends that budget-conscious families use debit cards for purchases. âIf those purchases were rewarded,” Patrick says, âthat money would multiply.”
Say hello to cash back on debit card purchases.
No monthly fees. No balance requirements. No, really.
See Details
Discover Bank, Member FDIC
If you’re using a checking account that rewards you for debit card purchases, some of those seemingly endless expenses can actually help you save a bit of extra cash. Discover Cashback Debit, for example, lets you earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month.1 That means your monthly cash back earnings could yield $360 in total rewards each year. This feature of a bank account for busy families could pay for one night at your favorite family resort!
2. Easy account access: At home or on the run
You’re dropping off one kid, picking up the other, then have to get ready for a fundraiser. You are always on the go, so it’s time to find the best checking account for busy families that’s always right there with you. Patrick suggests opening a checking account with a bank that has a vast network of no-fee ATM locations. For example, Discover offers more than 60,000 no-fee ATMs around the U.S.
âI live out in the country, about 12 to 13 miles from town, so I need an ATM nearby,” Patrick says. âI usually go to town on Fridays or Mondays, get lunch for the kids, go to the store for groceries and get cash. Everything needs to be in one location.”
Besides getting money for day-to-day purchases, a conveniently located ATM is a must for depositing cash. Why make a special trip to visit your local branch when you can make deposits at an ATM that’s at or near a place you already frequent? Banking for busy parents is hard to imagine without this benefit.
âNotice how you deposit money and how you spend it. Look at your banking trends and see where you’re being charged.”
3. Online and mobile features: Save time in spades
In fact, you may not need a brick-and-mortar bank branch at all. Another option to consider is opening a checking account with an online bank.
The best bank account for busy families is one that offers maximum convenience. With an online checking account, all you need is a computer, tablet or smartphone to deposit a check (most online banks have a mobile app that allows you to take a photo of your check to deposit the funds). An online checking account also makes banking for busy parents effortless by allowing them to manage bills and bank statements from a deviceâeither while at home or out and about. Save the paper for your kids’ cute drawings that you tack up on the fridge.
Nermeen Ghneim, blogger at Savvy Dollar and mom of two, says the best checking account for busy families would offer a mobile app.
âI want to be able to access everything a bank can offer through my mobile device,” Ghneim says. âIt saves time, and it’s huge for a parent with a full-time job.”
Here are some of the other online and mobile features that are key if you’re looking for the best checking account for busy families:
Online transfers. Farrington says the ability to transfer money between accounts is especially important. Things come up unexpectedly and you may need to quickly transfer from savings to checking, or move those cash back rewards into a college fund for the kids. If you’re moving your cash back rewards into savings, you may even be able to make that happen automatically. For example, when you enroll in Discover’s Auto Redemption to Savings, we’ll automatically deposit your cash back into a Discover Online Savings Account every month.
Online bill payments. With everything else on your mind, you shouldn’t have to go through a stack of bills every month. The best checking account for busy families would allow you to set up automatic bill payments, so each month’s charges are automatically debited from your checking account.
Balance notifications. You should never be in the middle of a transaction and see those dreaded words: Insufficient Funds. Instead, you want to get a heads-up when your balance is close to zero, so there aren’t any surprises.
Debit card protection. While it’s important to be able to quickly and easily use your debit card, Ghneim says it’s just as important to be able to freeze it. Some banks offer a digital feature that enables you to switch your debit card on and off, so you can instantly freeze your debit card if it’s been misplaced or you want to curb spending.
Connecting to other digital applications. Nowadays, busy families rely on budgeting and spending apps to help manage their finances. A good bank account for busy families would be able to easily sync with those other tools online or via your mobile device so that you can efficiently manage your money and take advantage of the features of each app.
Farrington says that when selecting the best bank account for busy families, a no-fee checking account is a must-have, so it’s worth shopping around until you find one. For example, Discover Cashback Debit has no account-related fees.2 âYou shouldn’t have to pay a fee if you don’t keep a minimum balance,” Farrington says. âParents often don’t have the bandwidth to keep track of whether they’ve made a certain number of transactions.”
If you are getting hit with a checking account fee for any of the items below, you may want to consider a new checking account to make banking for busy parents easier:
Monthly maintenance
In-network ATM withdrawals
Replacement debit card
Standard checks
Online bill pay
Insufficient funds
Stop payment order
Official bank check
If you’re exploring a new bank account for busy families, Ghneim advises to watch out for hidden costs. Even no-fee checking accounts will sometimes hit you with unexpected charges. âThere should be no hidden fees because if a family is living off a budget, it’s very stressful to incur unexpected fees,” Ghneim says. Farrington agrees: âThere are some things that might cost you money, like wire transfers, but you shouldn’t have to pay for most features these days.”
âThere should be no hidden fees because if a family is living off a budget, it’s very stressful to incur unexpected fees.â
Banking for busy parents just got easier
Above all, Farrington says you want to prioritize the features that are most relevant to your family’s needs and lifestyle. If you’re always on the go, you may care most about convenient, no-fee ATMs and mobile check deposits. If your schedule necessitates a lot of out-of-pocket spending, you may want to prioritize debit card cash back rewards.
Keep in mind that when it comes to establishing the best banking for busy parents, you have options. âThere are so many checking accounts being offered now,” Farrington says. As long as you’re aware of the features that are available, you can make an informed decision and choose the account that’s best for you and your family.
1 ATM transactions, the purchase of money orders or other cash equivalents, cash over portions of point-of-sale transactions, Peer-to-Peer (P2P) payments (such as Apple Pay Cash), and loan payments or account funding made with your debit card are not eligible for cash back rewards. In addition, purchases made using third-party payment accounts (services such as Venmo® and PayPal, which also provide P2P payments) may not be eligible for cash back rewards. Apple, the Apple logo and Apple Pay are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
2 Outgoing wire transfers are subject to a service charge. You may be charged a fee by a non-Discover ATM if it is not part of the 60,000+ ATMs in our no-fee network.
The post Banking for Busy Parents: 4 Essential Checking Account Features appeared first on Discover Bank – Banking Topics Blog.
Perhaps you’ve found yourself driving across town to locate an ATM in your bank’s network. Or maybe you’ve been hearing about rewards checking accounts with benefits like cash back, which yours doesn’t offer. Oh, yeah. And what about that charge you saw on your last statement for not carrying a high enough balance? It’s pretty easy to feel like the only person on Earth with a checking account that’s just not cutting it.
Robert Farrington, founder of the personal finance website The College Investor, says it’s important to routinely review your checking account to make sure it still meets your needs. âYou might have opened a checking account in high school, college or when you got your first job, and you haven’t looked back,” Farrington says. “But banking has changedâand it’s likely that your needs have as well.”
Given the growing crop of new checking accounts with flexible
and appealing features, it’s probably time to take a closer look at your
current account offerings: What are they doing for you? Do they align with your
current financial situation? What benefits are you missing?
However, with all the options out there, you’re probably thinking, “How do I choose a checking account?”It’s simple, really. Just consider these three needs: no fees, convenience and lifestyle compatibility.
âYou might have opened a checking account in high school, college or when you got your first job, and you haven’t looked back. But banking has changedâand it’s likely that your needs have as well.”
Read on for how to assess your checking account’s performance for each need, and, if it’s lacking, how to select a checking account:
Find
out if fees are eating away at your funds
Fees are a big consideration when picking a new checking account. One way to determine whether your current checking account is treating you fairly in regards to fees is to review your statements from the past few months, Farrington says. You may be getting charged for things you aren’t aware of, such as not meeting a minimum balance.
âIf you have an account that requires a minimum balance or a certain number of transactions, then looking at past banking records can help you determine if you’re meeting those requirements,” he says. If keeping a minimum balance seems to be a challenge, you might want to consider alternative options to help you avoid checking account fees.
What else should you keep an eye out for fee-wise on your monthly statements if you’re considering picking a new checking account? How about charges for out-of-network ATM usage? When you withdraw cash out of network because your bank doesn’t have branches or ATMs that are convenient for you, those fees can add up. According to Bankrate’s 2018 checking account and ATM fee study, the average ATM surcharge (the fee from the ATM owner for non-customers) has gone up 19 times in the past 20 years, reaching $3.02, its highest amount at the time the report was published.
A no-fee checking account means no charges for checks, online bill pay, monthly maintenance, replacement debit cards and even insufficient funds. That’s a lot of dough saved by picking a new checking accountthat comes with no fees.
Online-only banks may offer some of the best deals for no-fee checking, since they don’t operate physical locations and can often pass those savings down to you. For example, Cashback Debit, Discover’s checking account, charges no account-related fees.1
Know
what conveniences you need
If you’re like most people on the go, you’ll want to access your checking account fast and at any time. So convenience may be a checking account benefit that ranks high on your list when considering how to select a checking account.
When it comes to how to choose a checking account, understanding what features banks offer to make their checking account convenient is important, says Chane Steiner, the CEO of Crediful, a personal finance and credit blog.
Convenience can come in many formsâfrom easy access to your
bank’s services and personnel, to proximity, to mobile features and more. Below
is a list of services you should consider if convenience is a premium:
Customer service that’s available after hours or 24/7.
A large network of ATMs makes accessing your money quick and easy. So when picking a new checking account, consider the ATM network you’ll be able to use. For example, Discover’s Cashback Debit card can be used at over 60,000 no-fee ATMs nationwide. With a network this vast, you may be able to enjoy the convenience of ATMs located near you without having to pay out-of-network fees.
Online banking can be “a great alternative to going to a branch if the majority of your transactions can be done online or you use services like direct deposit,” Steiner says. Think of the time you’ll save by banking from your computer or mobile device rather than traveling to a branch location.
Mobile check deposits can be an important feature when learning how to choose a checking account if you are remote, travel often or need to make a lot of deposits. In many cases, you can use your bank’s app on your mobile phone or tablet to snap a picture of a check you want to deposit and upload the image.
Branch access could be important to you if you get paid in cashâfor example, if you work in childcare or are a gig worker or freelancerâbecause you may need to visit the physical branch location in order to deposit the cash. In this case, a checking account at a traditional bank could be convenient.
There’s also a variety of other features to consider when picking a new checking account.
“You just have to define your needs and decide from there,” Steiner
says.
For additional help thinking through what features are most important to you, let your lifestyle and financial goals guide you. What comes next are some tips on how to do just that.
Tailor
your checking accountâand its perksâto your lifestyle
Maybe you like certain benefits that you’ve learned about in your research for picking a new checking account. “But you need to decide what’s most important to you for your banking needs,” Farrington says. “And those goals may be very different from your neighbor’s based on your banking habits.” If you’ve moved or changed jobs and your branch and ATM locations are no longer convenient, for example, that could be a good reason for seeking a new checking account.
On the other hand, Crediful’s Steiner says, âIf you realize you don’t go to a branch and simply need ATM access, an online checking account may be a great fit. It’s easy to open, convenient and most have all the services that a traditional bank offersâusually at a lower price or fee structure.”
Inevitable things (read: life events) should also be considered when thinking about how to select a checking account. These include getting married (think: combined lives, joint checking account) and having kids (think: convenience, cash in a pinch).
The reasons you first opened your checking account could also be different from why you need one now. Perhaps you used it to pay down a number of credit card bills in the past and regularly held a high balance. Fast forward, and now the cards are paid off and you’re no longer storing as much cash in the account, making you fall below your bank’s minimum balance requirement and causing you to get hit with fees. In that case, picking a new checking account that doesn’t have a minimum balance requirement may be a great choice.
Finding a bank that offers perks that complement your current lifestyle is important to consider when determining how to select a checking account, as it could help you make a final decision. Two benefits to consider:
Say hello to cash back on debit card purchases.
No monthly fees. No balance requirements. No, really.
See Details
Discover Bank, Member FDIC
Cash back rewards: If you find yourself frequently using your debit card, be sure to maximize that spending by earning rewards. On the money you spend, Discover offers 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month.2 To assess the potential value of this benefit, look at your monthly debit card spending and calculate how much you can earn in cash back. If you spend $3,000 every month, that’s an extra $360 a year. What could that extra cash be used for? Chances are, a lot of thingsâfrom a wedding gift to starting an emergency fund. Cha-ching!
Interest: âSome checking accounts will offer interest,” Steiner says. This allows your money to grow while being held in the account. Consider this if you keep high balances in your checking account.
Once you’ve considered how to choose a checking account and know what checking account you’re going with, the rest is relatively straightforward. It’s just a matter of following the right steps.
âIf you realize you don’t go to a branch and simply need ATM access, an online checking account may be a great fit.”
How
to make the switch to a new account
If you’ve decided upgrading is right for you, the next step (after you’ve mastered how to choose a checking account) is to actually make the switch. The good news is that the process is much simpler than the thinking that goes into picking one out.
Here are some quick tips for your new checking life:
Open the new accountâeither by completing your application online, in the case of an online checking account, or filling out an application at a branch.
Transfer your funds from your old account to your new one.
Change any direct deposits from the old account to the new account.
Set up automatic bill payments from your new account (and cancel them from your old account).
Close your old account. “It’s suggested you keep your old account open for a month or so to make sure you don’t miss any last transactions that may post,” Farrington says.
Enjoy
your new checking outlook
It’s an easy process to switch checking accounts, and Steiner believes the relief you’ll feel once you’ve mastered how to select a checking account will be worth it.
âSpending a few hours to make the right choice is time
well-spent and will save you plenty of headaches in the future,” Steiner
adds.
You might even enjoy calculating how much you’re saving by
comparing your old statements with your new ones and adding up the fees you’re
no longer paying. Oh yeah, about being the only person on Earth with a checking
account that’s not cutting it? Now that you’ve done the research on how to choose a checking account that
will work for your financial goals, it’s pretty simple to finally be more in
control of your cash. And it only took the amount of time to read this article
to learn.
1 Outgoing wire transfers are subject to a service charge. You may be charged a fee by a non-Discover ATM if it is not part of the 60,000+ ATMs in our no-fee network.
2 ATM transactions, the purchase of money orders or other cash equivalents, cash over portions of point-of-sale transactions, Peer-to-Peer (P2P) payments (such as Apple Pay Cash), and loan payments or account funding made with your debit card are not eligible for cash back rewards. In addition, purchases made using third-party payment accounts (services such as Venmo® and PayPal, who also provide P2P payments) may not be eligible for cash back rewards. Apple, the Apple logo and Apple Pay are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
The post What You Need to Know to Pick a New Checking Account appeared first on Discover Bank – Banking Topics Blog.
Dan Stous works in financial planning and wealth management. Online savings accounts initially came on his radar when he saw their interest rates steadily rise.
“The whole reason I was looking for an online account was because deposit rates at traditional brick-and-mortar banks have continued to stay low despite rising interest rates,” says Stous, who is the director of financial planning at Flagstone Financial Management in Lincoln, Nebraska.
He and his wife opted for a Discover® Online Savings Account, named Best Savings Account by NerdWallet in 2020, and started making monthly transfers into it to help save for a car. They were pleased to find the funds growing quickly with the account’s high interest rate and annual percentage yield (APY).
Whether you’re saving for a new set of wheels like Stous and his wife, a home down payment, an emergency fund or [enter your next big financial goal here], an online savings account could be your ticket to success.
What are the benefits of a Discover Online Savings Account? Here are six things to know about a Discover Online Savings Account that will help you take your savings game to the next level:
1. You can grow your savings with a high interest rate
Regardless of your financial goal, you’ll want your savings to earn interest (and then you’ll want that interest to earn even more interest). One of the benefits of a Discover Online Savings Account is that you can grow your money with a savings account interest rate over 5x the National Savings Average.1
You earned it. Now earn more with it.
Online savings with no minimum balance.
Start Saving
Online Savings
Discover Bank, Member FDIC
With online banks offering superior yields compared to traditional banks, Stous recommends online savings accounts to his clients as a financial strategy. “We have been steering people to online accounts because the rates have been so much better,” Stous says.
2. You can save yourself the hassle of fees
A bank account fee here and there can really add up. And who wants sneaky fees to eat into your hard-earned savings? One of the top benefits of a Discover Online Savings Account is that you won’t be charged an account fee.* Common fees that you won’t see with your Discover Online Savings Account include fees for:
Monthly maintenance
Official bank check (there’s also no fee if you need expedited delivery of your check)
Deposited item returned
Insufficient funds
Stop payment order
Account closure
Another thing to know about a Discover Online Savings Account is that the lack of maintenance or activity fees means you don’t have to stress about initiating certain account behavior (say, a regular direct deposit) to avoid a charge that could set your savings back.
“The whole reason I was looking for an online account was because deposit rates at traditional brick-and-mortar banks have continued to stay low despite rising interest rates.”
3. There’s no balance requirement
When considering important things to know about a Discover Online Savings Account, add no minimum balance requirement to the list. If you are just getting started with your savings (way to go!), it can be challenging to set aside a large chunk of cash just to avoid a balance requirement fee. With the Discover Online Savings Account’s no minimum balance requirement, you can start small and continue to add to your savings as your budget allows.
Getting ready to make a big withdrawal for an exciting big purchase? No problem. If you’ve reached a goal and need to put your savings to work, go right ahead. You won’t need to stress about getting charged for the lower balance that remains in your Discover Online Savings Account, and you can start building up your funds again for the next big thing.
4. You can manage your account onlineâand on the go
Your life is online and on the goâso your savings account should be right there with you. You can open a Discover Online Savings Account from the comfort of your couch (or when commuting in your rideshare) in three easy steps:
Enter the essentials (personal information like your address and Social Security number).
Fund the account with a starting balance of your choosing (or come back and do it later if you prefer).
Check your inbox for an email confirmation.
Once you are up and running, you can easily transfer funds between different accountsâDiscover accounts as well as external onesâand set up automatic transfers into your savings account so you can grow your funds on autopilot.
If you’re on the move, the account’s mobile app is control in your hands via your smartphone or tablet. Whether you’re in line for a coffee or waiting for your child’s extracurricular activity to wrap up, you can easily transfer money between your Discover Online Savings Account and other accounts, view your account activity and electronically deposit checks. Only have a second but want to check in? Quick View is a benefit of a Discover Online Savings Account that allows you to view your savings account balance without having to log in.
“The mobile app is very user friendly,” says Rick Vazza, financial planner and president of Driven Wealth Management. “It’s easy to use and easy to sync with a checking account. There’s a seamless flow.”
5. You can experience top-notch customer service
Customer service can be hard to evaluate, but the ability to quickly speak to a real person is certainly one sign of good customer relations.
“I’ve been seeing people particularly attracted to value-added services. The first being customer service,” Vazza explains.
Discover’s customer support is 100 percent U.S.-based and offers the ability to speak with a live person 24/7 without having to go through a bunch of automated prompts. Having knowledgeable and friendly customer service adds to the benefits of a Discover Online Savings Account.
“People like the fact that Discover is an all U.S.-based service,” Vazza adds.
“I’ve been seeing people particularly attracted to value-added services. The first being customer service. People like the fact that Discover is an all U.S.-based service.â
6. You can easily access your funds2
When and how you can withdraw money is important to know before you open a savings account. “How easy it is to get the money is a huge question, particularly with older generations,” Stous says. Having multiple ways to withdraw is a plus.
With a Discover Online Savings Account, your withdrawal options include:
Setting up electronic transfers between your Discover Online Savings Account and other internal or external bank accounts.
Requesting a no-fee official bank check.
Initiating an outgoing wire transfer.*
On your mark, get setâsave!
Understanding the things to know about a Discover Online Savings Account could help you make the decision to open an easy-to-use and high-yield financial solution for storing your cash. Whether you’re saving up for something special or creating a savings safety net, it’s tending to these areas of your financial plan that will better prepare you for what comes next.
Learn more about a Discover Online Savings Account today.
* Outgoing wire transfers are subject to a service charge.
1 The Annual Percentage Yield (APY) for the Online Savings Account as of 01/01/2021 is more than five times the national average APY for interest-bearing savings accounts with balances of $500 as reported by Informa Research Services, Inc. as of 01/01/2021. Interest rates and APYs are subject to change at any time. Although the information provided by Informa Research Services has been obtained from the various institutions, accuracy cannot be guaranteed.
2 Federal law limits certain types of withdrawals and transfers from savings and money market accounts to a combined total of 6 per calendar month per account. There are no limits on ATM withdrawals or official checks mailed to you. To get an account with an unlimited number of transactions, consider opening a Discover Cashback Debit account. If you go over these limitations on more than an occasional basis, your account may be closed. See Section 11 of the Deposit Account Agreement for more details.
The post 6 Benefits of a Discover Online Savings Account appeared first on Discover Bank – Banking Topics Blog.
, which also provide P2P payments) may not be eligible for cash back rewards. Apple, the Apple logo and Apple Pay are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
, who also provide P2P payments) may not be eligible for cash back rewards. Apple, the Apple logo and Apple Pay are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
