Compare checking accounts to find which one is right for you.

Both ways help you spend and save wisely.  Plus, it’s easy to open a checking account online in minutes.

Bank Smartly® Checking

Why you'll love it: You get an interest-earning checking account with financial tools to help you manage your money. Plus, enroll in Smart Rewards for free to earn extra perks as your qualified balances grow. Learn more about Smart Rewards®.

Get overdraft protection tools including a $50 overdrawn Available Balance threshold, overdraft protection1 and our Overdraft Fee Forgiven program.2

Pay $6.95 or $0 monthly maintenance fees. Waive fees in multiple ways.3

Access automated financial tools. Track your spending, set up account alerts and utilize our goal planner to help you build a better budget.

Earn more on your money when you add-on a high-yield Bank Smartly® Savings account to Bank Smartly® Checking.

 

Greenlight is complimentary with an eligible U.S. Bank checking account

Raise money-smart kids, starting with Bank Smartly®

Then, add this complimentary Greenlight account4 to make finance fun using goal- setting games, money-earning chores and a debit account you can monitor.

Safe Debit Account5

Why you'll love it: You’ll skip the checks but want the tools to help manage your money and build your credit. Plus, debit card.

No overdraft fees.6 In most situations a transaction more than your balance won't go through. If it does, there's no fee.

No surprise fees. Pay a $4.95 monthly maintenance fee with no minimum balance penalty. Fee cannot be waived.

Banking essentials. Directly deposit paychecks, lock a lost debit card and pay bills for free using our award-winning mobile app.

 

U.S. Bank Safe Debit Checking Account BankOn Certification Seal

More than safe, it's certified safe.

U.S. Bank Safe Debit Account has been certified by Bank On for meeting the National Account Standards as a low-cost, low-fee account since 2016.

No matter what you choose, you'll get:

Mobile check deposits

Zelle® instant transfers7

Automated bill pay

Contactless payments

National ATM network

Account alerts and reminders

What do you need to open a checking account online?

You can apply online for a personal checking account if you’re 18 years or older and a legal U.S. resident. You’ll need the following information:

  • Your Social Security number
  • A valid, government-issued photo ID like a driver’s license, passport or state or military ID
  • A minimum opening deposit of $25 to activate your account (once you’ve been approved). This can be paid with a credit, debit or prepaid card, a transfer from another U.S. Bank account or a transfer from another financial institution.

Want to open a checking account in person?

You can visit any U.S. Bank branch to open a checking account. You’ll still need personal details such as a valid government ID and Social Security number, but you can call a U.S. Bank representative at 855-605-1871 to ensure you have what you need.

Checking account benefits for military, seniors and youth and more

This could be you.

If you're a member of one of these groups, you're eligible for added benefits and rewards.

*A Bank Smartly® Checking account and/or Smart Rewards® enrollment are not required to qualify for these benefits

Frequently asked questions

Discover simple ideas and easy tips on how to reach your goals faster.

Your #1 priority? Balancing your checking account.

Balancing your checking account monthly helps you spot errors, detect fraud and understand spending patterns.

6 questions students should ask about checking accounts.

Checking accounts can be valuable money management tools. These six questions can help decide which checking account is right for you.

Steer clear of overdrafts to your checking account.

Checking accounts are great for potential rewards and quick access, but they still require practicing smart spending habits.

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Disclosures

  1. If you have linked eligible accounts and the negative Available Balance in your checking account is $5.01 or more, the advance amount will transfer in multiples of $50. If, however, the negative Available Balance is $5 or less, the amount advanced will be $5. The Overdraft Protection Transfer Fee is waived if the negative Available Balance in your checking account is $50 or less.

    Note: If you have Overdraft Protection and your account becomes overdrawn, Overdraft Protection funds will be accessed before the account is eligible for U.S. Bank Overdraft Fee Forgiven.

    Refer to Your Deposit Account Agreement (PDF) section titled Overdraft Protection Plans for additional information.

  2. Consumer checking accounts (excluding Safe Debit accounts) assessed an Overdraft Paid Fee may qualify for a fee waiver. The Overdraft Fee Forgiven period starts the first day your Available Balance becomes negative and you were charged an Overdraft Paid Fee(s). U.S. Bank will review your account at the end of the Overdraft Fee Forgiven period (11 p.m. ET) and if your Available Balance (excluding the Overdraft Paid Fees and including immediate and same day deposits), is at least $0 we will waive Overdraft Paid Fee(s) charged. Deposits that generally will qualify for Overdraft Fee Forgiven include: ACH and electronic deposits, cash deposits, wire transfers, ATM deposits at U.S. Bank ATMs, check deposits in branch and internal transfers from another U.S. Bank account. Deposits that generally will not qualify for Overdraft Fee Forgiven include: Mobile check deposit, extended hold placed on a deposit and deposits into new accounts opened less than 30 days where funds are generally made available the fifth business day after the day of your deposit. Refer to the Determining the Availability of a Deposit – All Accounts section of Your Deposit Account Agreement (PDF) for full funds availability details.

  3. Members of the military (requires self disclosure) and clients ages 24 and under and those 65 and over pay no monthly maintenance fee. All others can have it waived by meeting any one of the following criteria: Have combined monthly direct deposits totaling $1,000 or more; or keep a minimum average account balance of $1,500 or more; or presence of an eligible personal U.S. Bank credit card; or qualify for one of the four Smart Rewards® tiers (Primary, Plus, Premium or Pinnacle).

    The average account balance is calculated by adding the balance at the end of each calendar day in the statement period and dividing that sum by the total number of calendar days within the statement period. Other fees may apply.

    Please refer to the Consumer Pricing Information (PDF) disclosure for more details.

  4. U.S. Bank customers are eligible to receive the Greenlight Select plan complimentary when an eligible U.S. Bank checking account (excludes Safe Debit and Electronic Transfer accounts) is added as a funding source. You are required to be an authorized transactor on the U.S. Bank account, be at least 18 years of age, and be enrolled in online banking. Your U.S. Bank checking account(s) must be the preferred funding source for your Greenlight account for the entirety of the partnership. If your U.S. Bank checking account(s) cease to be the preferred funding source for your Greenlight account or you add a funding source that is not an eligible U.S. Bank checking account, you may be charged a monthly fee by Greenlight. In-app upgrades will result in additional fees. Subject to Greenlight identity verification. See greenlight.com/terms for additional information. Offer subject to change.

  5. Safe Debit Account is subject to certain account limitations and eligibility requirements, including the use of bill pay and Mobile Check Deposit. Please refer to the U.S. Bank Safe Debit Account Terms and Conditions (PDF) and Safe Debit Account Pricing and Information (PDF) guide for details. Refer to Your Deposit Account Agreement (PDF) and the Consumer Pricing Information (PDF) disclosure for a summary of fees, terms and conditions that apply.

  6. We will not charge you an Overdraft Paid Fee, but you will not be able to use your debit card or withdraw funds from your account until you transfer or deposit enough money to bring your available balance positive.

  7. To send and receive money in minutes with Zelle®, you must have an eligible United States bank account and have a United States mobile number registered in your online and mobile banking profile for at least three calendar days. Transactions between enrolled consumers typically occur in minutes.

  8. All regular account opening procedures apply. $25 minimum deposit required to open a U.S. Bank consumer checking account. Members of the military (requires self-disclosure) and clients ages 24 and under and those 65 and over pay no monthly maintenance fee.

  9. When changing existing checking options or customer group, check order discounts may not be immediately available, but will generally be available within five business days. Additional shipping fees may apply if expedited or shipped outside the continental United States.

  10. ATM Transaction Fee.  U.S. Bank will assess this fee for each ATM Transaction conducted at the Non-U.S. Bank ATM. Non-U.S. Bank ATMs are defined as any ATM that does not display the U.S. Bank logo in any manner, physically on the ATM or digitally on the screen.

    ATM Surcharge.  Non-U.S. Bank ATM owners may apply a surcharge fee on ATM transactions at their ATMs. U.S. Bank participates in MoneyPass®, an ATM surcharge free network. To find MoneyPass ATM locations, select “visit the MoneyPass locator” at the bottom of our ATM locator search results to be taken to the MoneyPass website. If you use an ATM that uses the MoneyPass® Network and are charged a surcharge fee, please call us at 800-USBANKS (872-2657) for a refund of the surcharge fee. However, a Non-U.S. Bank ATM Transaction Fee may be assessed on transactions at a MoneyPass ATM.

    Please refer to the Consumer Pricing Information (PDF) disclosure section titled Miscellaneous Checking, Savings or Money Market Fees for a summary of ATM transaction fees.

  11. When changing checking account types, corresponding Non-U.S. Bank ATM transaction fee waivers will become available on the first day of the next statement cycle. ATM transaction fee waivers are only applicable for your U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking accounts.

  12. NOTE: The Standard Savings product may no longer be available for sale. Please consult a banker for account details.

  13. Account may be assessed the Monthly Maintenance Fee when the account holder reaches 18 years of age. Account holder(s) age 13–17 will receive the monthly maintenance fee waiver under the Youth customer group. In the event the account holder is not currently a signer on the account the account holder must visit a branch with the custodian/guardian on the account to gain authority to access account funds.

  14. If you have any questions, please call the State Farm Banking Customer Service at U.S. Bank, 800-890-2233.

  15. The Retirement Money Market minimum opening deposit is $100 for State Farm clients.

  16. Valid if the client maintains an Elite Money Market account only (without the presence of a Bank Smartly® checking account); Monthly Maintenance Fee waiver starts on account open date.

  17. For banking clients of U.S. Bank Wealth Management, Private Wealth Management or Ascent Private Capital Management.

  18. For more information, refer to Your Deposit Account Agreement (PDF), in the section titled Funds Availability.

  19. The standard insurance amount is $250,000 per depositor, for each deposit insurance ownership category.

  20. Zero fraud liability – U.S. Bank provides zero fraud liability for unauthorized transactions. Cardholder must notify U.S. Bank promptly of any unauthorized use. Certain conditions and limitations may apply. See the Electronic Fund Transfers section in Your Deposit Account Agreement (PDF) for details.

  21. Variable rate account – Interest rates are determined at the bank’s discretion and may change at any time. Speak to a banker for current deposit rates, disclosures on rates, compounding and crediting and other balance information.

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Deposit products are offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC.