If you want to earn a higher interest rate and you don’t need a physical bank for your banking needs, you should consider opening a checking account with an online bank. (All of them allow you to deposit your checks by taking a picture of them with your phone, and allow you to pay bills online.) Here are some of the best online checking accounts being offered now:
- Highest Interest Rate Option for a Low Minimum Deposit: FNBO Direct. Their APY is currently .65% and you can start an account with as little as $1.
- Free Checks: TIAA Direct Interest Checking. Your first order of checks is free, minimum required deposit is $100, and there’s no monthly fee.
- Best ATM Options & Customer Service: Ally Bank. They have no minimum balance to open the account, provide the use of thousands of ATMs nationwide at no cost, and provide live customer service 24/7.
- Best for Overdrafts: Capital One 360. If you tend to overdraft your account at times, this checking account charges less than $1 for an overdraft of $100.
Sage Personal Finance 