| When it comes to checking, free sounds great. Hey, | | | | will need to have free direct deposits. List your |
| we all want to spend less. But you should understand | | | | requirements and look for an account that works for |
| how it works before you sign up. | | | | you. |
| Banks offer free checking as a way for you to save | | | | When you sign up with a free checking account, there |
| money. You won't have to pay the service charges | | | | are a few things you will not receive. You will not be |
| every month. In order to sign up, you usually have to | | | | paid interest on your checking account. You will have |
| make a small deposit to open the account. Most free | | | | to choose a different type of account in order to earn |
| accounts have no balance minimum requirements. | | | | interest on your checking -- which will be minimal |
| Some will even offer you free checks with your free | | | | anyway. |
| checking account. | | | | You may not be able to see your checks after they |
| The best free checking accounts have the following | | | | have been paid. Some accounts will have the images |
| features: | | | | online, but most will not return your checks to you. |
| - No minimum dollar amount on transactions | | | | Most people do not need this service on personal |
| - Unlimited checkwriting | | | | accounts. You can use duplicate checks (these are |
| - No low balance fees | | | | usually not free), keep good records or look to your |
| - Free ATM card | | | | online images. If you need a copy, you can always |
| - No charge for direct deposits | | | | order it from your bank for a small fee. |
| - Free online access to your account | | | | When you have free checking, you no longer have |
| - Free checks, either unlimited or so many a month | | | | free stop payments and cancelled check return. Most |
| - free online bill pay There are even a few free | | | | people never really use these services. If you do, ask |
| checking plans that offer: | | | | your bank for an account type that includes them for |
| - Overdraft protection plans | | | | free. The fees for these services can often add up to |
| - No charge to use your bank's ATMs | | | | more than you are saving by taking a free account. |
| - Reimbursement of ATM fees It is rare to find all of | | | | Free checking accounts are great for those who |
| these features in a plan, but the more you find, the | | | | carry small balances in their checking accounts. Banks |
| better the plan. Shop around and look at the different | | | | offer these accounts in order to bring in business. They |
| types of free checking available to you. Look at how | | | | are hoping that you will do additional business with |
| you use your current checking. If you overdraft | | | | them, such as loans and investments. When |
| occasionally, you may really need that overdraft | | | | considering a free checking account, look at both what |
| protection. If your paycheck is on direct deposit, you | | | | you get and what you don't get before you sign up. |