Best Free Checking Account Offers (No Monthly Fees) – May 2022

Looking to open your first ever Checking account or simply tired of paying monthly maintenance fees with your current one? A free personal Checking account may be what you’re searching for.

Many traditional Checking accounts from local banks require monthly fees that can range from a few dollars, and on up to the $20 to $30 range. The more benefits the Checking account provides, the higher the fee typically is.

You certainly can waive the fees most of the time. But, that typically involves maintaining a minimum daily balance, making certain types of deposits, having a minimum number of monthly transactions, etc.

Maybe you don’t need all the bells and whistles of a premium Checking account. Somewhere to carry a small balance and perform basic Checking tasks may be all you need. Some of these free Checking accounts also have sign-up bonuses as well.

You’ll have far more free Checking account options with online banks due to their lower overhead costs. But, depositing cash will be an issue. Depositing checks has never been easier with mobile apps.

We’ll review your best free Checking account options below.

FEATURED CHECKING ACCOUNT OFFERS

BMO Harris Bank Bonus: Up To $350 Checking Offer

• What you’ll get: Up to $350 bonus
• Where it’s available: Nationwide
• How to earn it:
  • You can choose from the following two offers:
    • Earn a $200 bonus with the BMO Harris Smart Advantage™ Account or Smart Money™ account. You’ll need have a total of at least $4,000 in qualifying direct deposits within the first 90 days of account opening.
    • Or, earn a $350 bonus with the BMO Harris Premier™ Account. You’ll need to have a total of at least $7,500 in qualifying direct deposits within the first 90 days of account opening.
• When it expires: 6/3/22

See all offers from BMO Harris here

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Chase Bonus: $200 Total Checking^® Offer

• What you’ll get: $200 bonus
• Where it’s available: Available online nationwide except in Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
• How to earn it:
  • New Chase checking customers enjoy a $200 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking^® account and set up direct deposit.
• When it expires: 07/20/2022

See all offers from Chase Bank here

Bank Of America Advantage Banking $100 Bonus Offer

• What you’ll get: $100 bonus offer
• How to earn it:
  • The $100 bonus offer 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 6/30/2022
  • To qualify, open an account through the promotional page and set up and receive qualifying direct deposits of $1000 or more into that account within 90 days of opening.
  • Bank of America will attempt to pay bonus within 60 days.
  • Additional terms and conditions apply. See offer page for more details.
  • Member FDIC

See all offers from Bank of America here

Aspiration Planet-Friendly Cash Back Account

Aspiration is a planet-friendly cash back account.

Plant a climate change-fighting tree with every purchase by rounding up to the nearest whole dollar. And know that your deposits won’t fund fossil fuel projects like pipelines, oil drilling and coal mines when you open an Aspiration Spend & Save account.

You’ll earn cash back when you spend at socially conscious retailers.

• Availability? Available online nationwide.
• Physical Branches? No physical branches.
• Mobile app? iOS & Android
• Bonus offer? $200 sign-up and referrals
• Earns interest? No. Earn cash back through socially conscious spending.
• Monthly Service Charge? None for basic Aspiration account. Aspiration Plus has a monthly fee.
• Minimum balance requirement? None
• Minimum opening deposit? $0
• ATM access? 55,000+ fee-free ATM network
• Full review: Aspiration Review

Aspiration Bonus: $200 Plus Checking Offer

• What you’ll get: $200 bonus
• Where it’s available: Available nationwide
• How to earn it:
  • $200 bonus for customers who enroll into Aspiration Plus either during account sign up, or no later than 60 days from account opening, and continue to be enrolled in Aspiration Plus through the date of credit.
  • Customer must complete the following activities:
    • (1) Open and fund an Aspiration Plus Account with a deposit of $10 or more, and (2) Use their Aspiration debit card to make at least $1,000 worth of cumulative transactions within the first 60 calendar days from account opening. $1,000 transaction minimum refers to net purchases (purchases minus any credits or returns).
  • Allow up to 120 calendar days from account opening for the offer credit to post to your Aspiration Account.

Aspiration Bonus: $150 Spend & Save Account Offer

• What you’ll get: $150 bonus
• Where it’s available: Available nationwide
• How to earn it:
  • $150 credit for customers who open a standard Aspiration Spend & Save Account.
  • Customer must complete the following activities:
    • (1) Open and fund an Aspiration Spend & Save Account with a deposit of $10 or more, and (2) Use their Aspiration debit card to make at least $1,000 worth of cumulative transactions within the first 60 calendar days from account opening. $1,000 transaction minimum refers to net purchases (purchases minus any credits or returns).
  • Allow up to 120 calendar days from account opening for the offer credit to post to your Aspiration Account.

Aspiration Bonus: $50 Sign-Up Offer & $50 Referrals

You and your referral can earn a $50 cash bonus.

• Available nationwide
• You and your referrals earn a $50 cash bonus and help save the planet.
• You can earn up to $1,500 in cash referral credits per month
• Access your referral link under the “Invite Friends” menu option in your account dash board.
• For both to receive credit, the referred customer must use their Aspiration debit card to make at least $250 worth of cumulative transactions within 60 days of account opening.

You can use our referral link below to earn the initial $50 referral bonus (thank you ahead of time!). Then you can start making $50 per referral. The link works best when you click through on your smartphone.

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Axos Bank Rewards Checking

Axos Bank is an internet-only bank that offers a few free Checking accounts. There Rewards Checking account is particularly a good one to consider. It earns interest and has no monthly maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements to worry about.

• Availability? Available online nationwide.
• Physical Branches? No physical branches
• Mobile app? iOS & Android
• Bonus offer? Check for current offers here
• Earns interest? Yes, Up To 1.25% APY
• Monthly Service Charge? None
• Minimum balance requirement? None
• Minimum opening deposit? $1
• ATM access? No ATM fees nationwide as they reimburse all fees at U.S. ATMs
• Full Review: Axos Bank Review

Axos Bank Rewards Checking Bonus: $150 Offer

The Rewards Checking account from Axos Bank earns interest and has no monthly maintenance fees. This account is available online, nationwide.

• Use Promo Code “MAY150” for a $150 bonus!
• Up to 1.25% APY
• Zero monthly maintenance fees
• Zero overdraft or NSF fees
• Zero minimum monthly balance reqs
• Unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements
• Zero Minimum Balance Requirement
• Only $50 to open an account

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OnJuno Free Mobile Banking

OnJuno is a mobile banking option that lets you earn a bonus rate on deposits and cash back.

Choose from their free Basic Checking account or their Metal Checking account with more features for a fee. Both account options will earn a bonus rate on deposits and cash back on spending.

• Availability? Available online nationwide.
• Physical Branches? No physical branches.
• Mobile app? iOS & Android
• Bonus offer? Deposit bonus & bonus rate
• Earns interest? Earn a bonus rate on deposits and cash back on spending.
• Monthly Service Charge? Basic Checking is free. Metal Checking has a fee.
• Minimum balance requirement? None
• Minimum opening deposit? $0
• ATM access? 85,000 Allpoint & MoneyPass^® ATMs. 1 free withdrawal per month at Out-of-Network ATMs.
• Full review: OnJuno Mobile Banking Review

OnJuno Bonus: $100 Offer For Direct Deposit

• Sign up with OnJuno using our referral link below.
• Setup a direct deposit of $250 or more.
• Both of us receive $100 once the direct deposit is confirmed.

OnJuno Offer: Crypto Basic Checking $100 Bonus

• $0/Month (Free Forever). A powerful checking account to get started, helping you save while you spend.
• Yearly Bonus on Deposits. 1.20% on balances up to $5,000
• Yearly Cashback. 5% when you pay with cash, 10% when you pay with crypto, on total annual spends of $500.
• Debit Cards. Instant Virtual Cards. Free physical cards available on request.
• Buy, sell and store crypto at $0 fees. Send and receive crypto to/from any wallet.
• 4% yield on USDC with no yearly limit.
• Contactless Mobile Payments. Apple Pay, Google Pay & Samsung Pay
• Out-of-Network ATMs. 1 free withdrawal per month
• No Fee Cash Withdrawals. 85,000 Allpoint & MoneyPass^® ATMs
• Android and iOS apps available

Sign up below to get a $100 bonus on your first direct deposit with OnJuno.

OnJuno Offer: Crypto Metal Checking $100 Bonus

• Free with qualifying Direct Deposits of $250 per month. A premium banking experience with an exclusive metal card for long term savers. 6x more savings.
• Yearly Bonus on Deposits. 1.20% on balances up to $50,000
• Yearly Cashback. 5% when you pay with cash, 10% when you pay with crypto, on total annual spends of $3,000.
• Debit Cards. Black Metal and Virtual Cards.
• Buy, sell and store crypto at $0 fees. Send and receive crypto to/from any wallet.
• 4% yield on USDC with no yearly limit.
• Contactless Mobile Payments. Apple Pay, Google Pay & Samsung Pay
• Out-of-Network ATMs. 3 free withdrawals per month
• No Fee Cash Withdrawals. 85,000 Allpoint & MoneyPass^® ATMs
• Android and iOS apps available

Sign up below to get a $100 bonus on your first direct deposit with OnJuno.

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CIT Bank eChecking & Savings Connect

Open a Savings Connect with a linked eChecking account, make a monthly $200 electronic deposit into your eChecking account, and keep earning the top Savings Connect APY.

The minimum opening deposit is $100 for the Savings Connect and $100 for the eChecking. Keep making the automated $200 monthly deposit into your eChecking account to continue earning the highest Savings Connect APY. Deposit checks remotely and make transfers easily with the CIT Bank mobile app.

• Availability? Available online nationwide.
• Physical Branches? No physical branches
• Mobile app? iOS & Android
• Bonus offer? Check for current bonus offers
• Earns interest? Yes, with both the eChecking & linked Savings Connect
• Monthly Service Charge? None
• Minimum balance requirement? $100
• Minimum opening deposit? $100
• ATM access? CIT Bank doesn’t charge ATM fees and reimburses up to $30 in other U.S. bank’s ATM fees on eChecking accounts.
• Full Review: CIT Bank Review

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First Citizens Bank Free Checking

First Citizens Bank is one of the largest family-controlled banks in the United States. The Free Checking account from First Citizens Bank has no monthly fees when you enroll in paperless statements. There is no minimum balance requirement and you can open an account with as little as $50.

Free digital and mobile banking is available for convenience – you can deposit checks on your smartphone for free. Zelle^® is available for sending and receiving money from people you know. While you can handle most of what you need online and through the mobile app, you’ll also have physical branch and ATM access where available.

• Availability? Available in NC, SC, TN, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, KS, MD, MO, NM, OK, OR, TX, VA, WA, WV and WI.
• Physical Branches? Physical branches available
• Mobile app? iOS & Android
• Bonus offer? Check for current bonus offers here
• Earns interest? No
• Monthly Service Charge? None
• Minimum balance requirement? None
• Minimum opening deposit? $50
• ATM access? Branches/ATMs available in NC, SC, TN, AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, KS, MD, MO, NM, OK, OR, TX, VA, WA, WV and WI.
• Full Review: First Citizens Bank Review

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Chime Free Mobile Banking

Chime is a leader in the Mobile Banking sector that is growing more and more popular as consumers are more willing than ever to manage as much as they can on their smartphones.

A Chime account includes a Spending Account (basically a Checking account) and a Savings Account. There are no monthly fees, no minimum balance fees, no overdraft fees and no foreign transaction fees.

You’ll have nearly all the functionality you’d need as you would with a traditional bank account, but there won’t be an option for in-branch service. Your ATM access includes 60,000+ fee-free ATMs – more than the top 3 national banks combined. Find them at popular retail stores like Walgreens, CVS, and 7-Eleven.

• Availability? Available online nationwide.
• Physical Branches? No physical branches.
• Mobile app? iOS & Android
• Bonus offer? $100 sign-up and referrals
• Earns interest? Low rate. See offer page for current rate.
• Monthly Service Charge? None
• Minimum balance requirement? None
• Minimum opening deposit? $0
• ATM access? 60,000+ fee-free ATMs with the Allpoint^®, Visa^® Plus Alliance, or MoneyPass^® at 7-eleven logo on a sign at the ATM or displayed on the ATM screen. You won’t be charged by Chime for using out-of-network ATMs, but the ATM service provider may.
• Full review: Chime Mobile Banking Review

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Current.com Free Mobile Banking

Current is another mobile banking option and considers itself the bank for the modern life.

Open a personal, premium checking account with Current to enjoy benefits such as getting paid up to 2 days faster, free overdraft up to $100 with Overdrive, access to 55,000 free ATMs, no minimum balance and no hidden fees. You can also earn earn points and get cash back.

• Availability? Available online nationwide.
• Physical Branches? No physical branches.
• Mobile app? iOS & Android
• Bonus offer? Make money through referrals
• Earns interest? No. Instead, you earn points that can be redeemed for cash back.
• Monthly Service Charge? Basic Checking is free. Premium Checking has a fee.
• Minimum balance requirement? None
• Minimum opening deposit? $0
• ATM access? 55,000+ free ATMs
• Full review: Current Mobile Banking Review

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Capital One 360 Checking

The Capital One 360 Checking account is an online-only account, even though Capital One bank does have physical branches.

There is no monthly service fee and no minimum deposit to open. This Checking account also earns interest.

You’ll have access to 40,000+ free ATMs nationwide in the Allpoint network, as well as the few Capital One 360 Cafes located in eight cities around the country. When using your debit card for purchases abroad, Capital One 360 is one of the few banks that don’t charge foreign transaction fees. Check deposits can be done with their mobile app.

To top it all off, there are typically several sign-up bonus offers available for this account.

• Availability? Available online nationwide.
• Physical Branches? No physical branches.
• Mobile app? iOS & Android
• Bonus offer? Several bonus offers you can find here.
• Earns interest? Yes; low rates currently.
• Monthly Service Charge? None
• Minimum balance requirement? None
• Minimum opening deposit? $0
• ATM access? Use the more than 40,000 ATMs in the Allpoint network in the U.S. for free.
• Full review: Capital One 360 Checking

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Schwab High-Yield Investor Checking

Most people are familiar with Charles Schwab for offering brokerage services, but their High-Yield Investor Checking account is a secret weapon well known among savvy travelers. This is because the account provides unlimited fee rebates on ATM withdrawals worldwide.

There is no minimum deposit requirement and no monthly service fee. You’ll have access to online bill pay just like with other online-only banks, as well as mobile check deposits.

While you don’t have to use it or even deposit funds into it, you’ll receive a free brokerage account along with this Checking option.

Open a new Schwab brokerage account first with a minimum $1,000 deposit and you can earn up to a $500 bonus first.

• Availability? Available online nationwide.
• Physical Branches? No physical branches.
• Mobile app? iOS & Android
• Bonus offer? $500 bonus with a new Checking account linked to their brokerage account.
• Earns interest? Low rate. See offer page for current rate.
• Monthly Service Charge? None
• Minimum balance requirement? None
• Minimum opening deposit? $0
• ATM access? Any ATM worldwide that accepts the Visa debit card – unlimited ATM fee rebates. This is the best access for travelers!
• Full review: Charles Schwab Checking

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Top/Trending Offers You May Like

• BMO Harris $200 & $350 Bonuses
• Chase Business Checking $300 Bonus
• Bank Of America $100 Bonus Offer
• Chase Total Checking® $200 Bonus
• TD Beyond Checking $300 Bonus
• HSBC Premier Checking $500 Bonus
• Aspiration Checking $150/$200 Bonus
• J.P. Morgan Self-Directed Investing $625 Cash
• Ally Invest Up To $3,000 Bonus
• Axos $100/$200 Checking & Savings Bonuses
• TradeStation Cash & Crypto Offers