--- title: How to Choose a Checking Account description: Choosing the right checking account is especially important. Here are a few things to consider when choosing a checking account. image: https://rmcu.net/hubfs/RMCU_how-to-choose-a-checking-account-blogHeader.jpg --- [![RMCULogoColor.jpg](https://rmcu.net/hubfs/RMCU-logo.svg "RMCULogoColor.jpg")](https://rmcu.net) [Online Banking Login](https://banking.rmcu.net/auth/signin) [Online Banking Login](https://banking.rmcu.net/auth/signin) [![RMCULogoColor.jpg](https://rmcu.net/hubfs/RMCU-logo.svg "RMCULogoColor.jpg")](https://rmcu.net) - - [Home Loans](https://rmcu.net/home-loans) - [Personal](https://rmcu.net/personal) - [Business](https://rmcu.net/business) - [Membership](https://rmcu.net/membership) - [Careers](https://rmcu.net/membership/about-rmcu/careers) - [Contact Us](https://rmcu.net/contact-us) - Search - [Financial Education ▾](https://rmcu.net/blog/how-to-choose-a-checking-account#financial-education-nav) - [About RMCU ▾](https://rmcu.net/blog/how-to-choose-a-checking-account#about-rmcu-nav) - [Security](https://rmcu.net/membership/security) - [TruStage: Security Alert](https://rmcu.net/trustage-security-alert) - [Money Mastermind](https://rmcu.net/money-mastermind-lessons) - [Financial Counseling](https://rmcu.net/financial-counseling) - [Savvy Money](https://rmcu.net/membership/financial-education/savvy-money) - [Blog](https://rmcu.net/blog) - [Resources](https://rmcu.net/resources) - [RMCU Team](https://rmcu.net/membership/about-rmcu/rmcu-team) - [Member Information](https://rmcu.net/membership/about-rmcu/member-information) - [Annual Meeting](https://rmcu.net/membership/about-rmcu/annual-meeting) - [Community](https://rmcu.net/membership/about-rmcu/community) - [Our History](https://rmcu.net/membership/about-rmcu/history) [back to blog](https://rmcu.net/blog) [Budgeting and Saving](https://rmcu.net/blog/topic/budgeting-and-saving) # How to Choose a Checking Account Read Time **3 mins** | Written by: Rocky Mountain Credit Union [mailto:?subject=How%20to%20Choose%20a%20Checking%20Account&body=https%3A%2F%2Frmcu.net%2Fblog%2Fhow-to-choose-a-checking-account](mailto:?subject=How%20to%20Choose%20a%20Checking%20Account&body=https%3A%2F%2Frmcu.net%2Fblog%2Fhow-to-choose-a-checking-account) ## Look at the fees  You don’t want spending your money to cost you money. Read the fine print to see what the fees are and where they apply. Some common ones are ATM fees. See if you can find an account with a hefty number of fee-free ATMs in its network. You also want to avoid minimum account balance fees (unless it comes with a perk like dividend payouts), transfer fees and transaction fees. This is the biggest area where your checking account can help you save, so be sure to comparison-shop fees when you’re picking your account.  ![Image of the word Fees with coins on top. ](https://rmcu.net/hs-fs/hubfs/RMCU_how-to-choose-a-checking-account-blog2.jpg?width=2894&name=RMCU_how-to-choose-a-checking-account-blog2.jpg)   ## Check out overdraft protection  An ideal use for a checking account is to have it connected to your savings account. That makes it easier to save automatically when your paycheck hits, and it also can offer overdraft protection if you accidentally withdraw more than your account balance. That way, if you have the money in your savings to cover a transaction, you won’t see any overdraft fees posted to your account, or canceled payments, if you overdraw.    ## Scope out ATM options  If your account is with a financial institution in your community, like a credit union, there will often be a network of conveniently located fee-free ATMs that you can use. RMCU’s ATM map makes it easy to find the closest withdrawal point, so you can access your cash at any hour.  ![ATM](https://rmcu.net/hs-fs/hubfs/RMCU_how-to-choose-a-checking-account-blog3.jpg?width=2894&name=RMCU_how-to-choose-a-checking-account-blog3.jpg)   ## Take online banking into account  Since you use your checking account for so much—from bill pay to paying friends for dinner—you want an account with an easy-to-use online banking interface that has lots of functionality. Online tools like account alerts, mobile banking, estatements, and edeposits let you manage your money easily, no matter where in the world you are. And online budget tools built in with your financial institution will make it easy to plan for your future.    ## Pick the best perks  It’s obvious that not all checking accounts are created equal. But some come with even more benefits than others. [RMCU’s SWIPE checking](https://www.rmcu.net/personal/personal-checking) account gives you five cents back on every swipe after your first ten swipes, so you can earn big when you use your debit card for those little day-to-day purchases. And if you do have a good sum to keep liquid in your account, the Summit Checking account pays dividends when you maintain $50,000 in the account and a minimum of ten transactions per month.  When it’s time to move forward with your new checking account, it’s easy to open your RMCU account and get banking. [Apply online](https://www.rmcu.net/personal/personal-checking), and see where your finances can take you.  ***If you enjoyed this blog, you might enjoy these other related blogs: *** - [So You Want to Take Your Kids to Disney World: How Much to Save and How to Do It](https://blog.rmcu.net/blog/so-you-want-to-take-your-kids-to-disney-world-how-much-to-save-and-how-to-do-it) - [Budgeting Your Money Doesn't Have to Stink! Try These Ideas to Make Budgeting Easier](https://blog.rmcu.net/blog/budgeting-your-money-doesnt-have-to-suck-try-these-ideas-to-make-budgeting-easier) - [Creative Ways to Save for College](https://blog.rmcu.net/blog/creative-ways-to-save-for-college) [![Subscribe To Our Blog!](https://hubspot-no-cache-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/default/2687142/dda73c99-1639-4c70-8bd2-a6d699cfcee5.png)](https://hubspot-cta-redirect-na2-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/cta/redirect/2687142/dda73c99-1639-4c70-8bd2-a6d699cfcee5)   ##### Rocky Mountain Credit Union Share the Love [mailto:?subject=How%20to%20Choose%20a%20Checking%20Account&body=https%3A%2F%2Frmcu.net%2Fblog%2Fhow-to-choose-a-checking-account](mailto:?subject=How%20to%20Choose%20a%20Checking%20Account&body=https%3A%2F%2Frmcu.net%2Fblog%2Fhow-to-choose-a-checking-account) You May Like These ## Related Articles ![](https://rmcu.net/hs-fs/hubfs/RMCU-Tips-for-Financing-Your-First-Car-blog-Header(1).jpg?width=700&name=RMCU-Tips-for-Financing-Your-First-Car-blog-Header(1).jpg) Tips from the Pros ### [7 Tips for Making the Most of Your Checking Account](https://rmcu.net/blog/7-tips-for-making-the-most-of-your-checking-account) It’s easy to overlook checking accounts. Here are seven tips to help you put your checking account t... Keep Reading ![](https://rmcu.net/hs-fs/hubfs/RMCU-Benefits-of-having-a-Checking-and-Savings-Account-Blog-Header.jpg?width=700&name=RMCU-Benefits-of-having-a-Checking-and-Savings-Account-Blog-Header.jpg) Financial Literacy ### [6 Benefits of Having a Checking & Savings Account](https://rmcu.net/blog/6-benefits-of-having-a-checking-savings-account) Here are a few of the benefits of having both a checking account and a savings account. Keep Reading ![](https://rmcu.net/hs-fs/hubfs/RMCU_Advantages%20of%20Opening%20a%20Summit%20Checking%20Account_1.jpg?width=700&name=RMCU_Advantages%20of%20Opening%20a%20Summit%20Checking%20Account_1.jpg) Checking & Savings ### [The Advantages of Opening a Summit Checking Account with RMCU](https://rmcu.net/blog/the-advantages-of-opening-a-summit-checking-account-with-rmcu) Here are just a few of the advantages you can look forward to when you open your Summit Checking acc... 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