CNBC's top big bank checking accounts for 2024.

The APYs listed in this article are accurate as of the time of publication. They may change as the Fed rate fluctuates. CNBC Select will update as new information becomes available.

Despite the increasing popularity of online banks, they will never be able to provide the same level of customer service as large banks.

Big banks provide hundreds or thousands of physical branches for customers to deposit and withdraw money, as well as the convenience of speaking to a representative face-to-face to resolve any account issues or make requests.

To assist you in selecting the ideal big-name bank for your checking account needs, CNBC Select evaluated numerous options and considered factors such as fees, minimum balance requirements, ease of use, and the number of physical branches and fee-free ATM networks. Our top picks for 2024 are based on this comprehensive evaluation. (For more details on our methodology, please refer to our article.)

To determine the appropriate account options, big banks often request your zip code when accessed online. However, there may be instances where you cannot open an account due to your location.

Best at Bank of America

This flexible checking account is perfect for those who want additional benefits, such as automatic transfer of spare change to savings and cash back on purchases.

Keep the Change® offers several benefits, including rounding debit card purchases to the nearest dollar and transferring the difference to a Bank of America savings account. Additionally, BankAmeriDeals® allows you to earn cash back at select restaurants and stores. Other perks include overdraft protection via Balance Connect®, $0 liability guarantee fraud protection, and access to virtual financial assistant Erica®.

Best at Chase

If you're a Chase loyalist, Chase Total Checking is a great everyday checking account. The bank's website states that this is its most popular checking account. With over 4,700 physical branches, Chase is a top choice if you want to be near a local branch location.

If you exceed your account balance, Chase Overdraft Assist℠ offers standout benefits such as zero liability protection for unauthorized charges and easy and quick access to Zelle for sending and receiving money.

Best at Citibank

What is Citi Access Checking? It is a suitable account for checkless banking at Citibank, which is ideal for those in metropolitan areas such as New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Miami, where most branches are located.

Citi offers $0 liability for unauthorized charges, no overdraft or returned item fees, and Relationship Tier benefits for reaching a high minimum balance threshold. Additionally, you can combine balances with immediate family members to reach the threshold. With Citi Entertainment®, your Citi card can help you access presale tickets and exclusive experiences to music, sports, arts, and cultural events.

Best at PNC Bank

If you want to simplify your finances by bundling your checking and savings, PNC Virtual Wallet with Performance Select is an excellent choice. The Virtual Wallet includes three accounts: Spend (a primary checking account), Reserve (a secondary checking account) and Growth (for long-term savings).

PNC's Spend account provides welcome bonuses and interest on your balance, while also offering overdraft protection and no fees for using out-of-network ATMs (and will even reimburse you for ATM fees charged by other banks).

Best at TD Bank

The TD Complete Checking account is suitable for individuals residing on the East Coast. With over 1,100 branches spread across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Metro D.C., the Carolinas, and Florida, most of which offer extended hours and are open on weekends, TD Bank boasts itself as "America's most convenient bank."

With a TD Bank account, you'll receive TD Overdraft Relief, early pay options, 24/7 fraud monitoring, text alerts, Zelle access, a free linked savings account, and rate discounts on a home equity loan. Additionally, students and young adults (ages 17 through 23) will receive extra perks such as non-TD ATM fee waivers.

Best at U.S. Bank

If you are living near a U.S. Bank location, we recommend the U.S. Bank Smartly Checking as your everyday account. The bank has over 2,000 branches in 26 states, but most of them are located in the Midwest and West.

With U.S. Bank, you can enjoy overdraft protection, an Overdraft Fee Forgiven program, account alerts and reminders, and the U.S. Bank Smart Assistant® for quick banking tasks. You'll also have zero fraud liability and instant transfers with Zelle. Additionally, you'll receive complimentary access to Greenlight, a debit card for kids and teens, and enrollment in Smart Rewards®, which offers exclusive benefits like cash back, fee discounts, and rate bonuses. Plus, you'll earn interest on your account.

Best at Wells Fargo

If you want to bank with Wells Fargo and keep track of your credit, consider their Everyday Checking account.

With Wells Fargo's Extra Day Grace Period, you can avoid overdrafts and enjoy 24/7 fraud monitoring, zero liability protection, and Zelle access. Additionally, you can receive direct deposits up to two days sooner with Early Pay Day, view your latest FICO Score, and get help with Fargo® virtual assistant.

How to choose a checking account

Before you open a checking account, consider these six factors:

1. Ensure that the bank or credit union you choose to open an account with offers insurance from either the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) or National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). This insurance safeguards and compensates you up to your balance and the maximum amount allowed by law ($250,000 per individual account) in the unlikely event that your bank or credit union goes bankrupt.
2. To avoid monthly maintenance fees in checking accounts, you must maintain a minimum balance. Failure to meet the balance requirements may result in a monthly fee of up to $15. Fortunately, some accounts provide alternative methods for qualifying for a waived monthly fee without a minimum balance.
3. The cost of accessing your money through checking accounts can vary, with fees such as monthly service/maintenance, overdraft, NSF, and ATM fees. These fees can range from a few dollars to $35 each time they are incurred, making it expensive to incur repeat fees.
4. To withdraw money, you must utilize an ATM or visit a branch location, which is fortunate as all the checking accounts offer access to thousands of free ATMs and physical branches.
5. Financial institutions offer interest rates on eligible balances in checking accounts, although they are not intended for long-term savings goals.
6. Consider mobile features in addition to visiting physical branch locations with brick-and-mortar checking accounts. Mobile check deposit and integration with peer-to-peer payment apps, such as Zelle, are two common features to look for.

Common checking account fees

Most checking accounts come with standard fees, but there are several good no-fee checking accounts available. Some common checking account fees you may incur include:

• The monthly fee, typically ranging from $10 to $15, that financial institutions charge for account maintenance.
• Overdraft fee: You may be charged a steep overdraft fee of up to $35 if your account balance becomes negative due to overspending.
• An NSF fee may be incurred if a check is returned due to insufficient funds.
• Using an unassociated ATM may result in two fees: one from your bank/credit union and another from the ATM operator, with banks/credit unions charging approximately $1.63 and ATM operators charging roughly $3.09.
• Enrolling in paperless statement could save you up to $5 per statement.
• Making purchases or withdrawing money from an ATM outside of the U.S. with a debit card can result in a fee of 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of the transaction.
• An account closure fee of approximately $25 may apply if your account is closed within 90 to 180 days of its opening.

By managing your account responsibly and maintaining a positive balance, you can avoid the accumulation of fees.

Why trust CNBC Select?

Our mission at CNBC Select is to deliver top-notch service journalism and in-depth consumer advice to our readers, enabling them to make well-informed decisions when it comes to their finances. Each checking account review we publish is the result of thorough reporting by our team of expert writers and editors, who possess extensive knowledge of banking products. At CNBC Select, we maintain the highest journalistic standards and ethics, and we earn a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links. However, our content is created independently, without any input from our commercial team or external third parties. To learn more about our methodology and how we select the best brick-and-mortar checking accounts, please refer to our website.

Our methodology

CNBC Select compared numerous checking accounts from major national banks and credit unions to determine which brick-and-mortar accounts offer the greatest convenience. Our rankings were based on checking accounts from banks with extensive availability, providing access to hundreds of physical branches and thousands of fee-free ATMs across the U.S.

We compared each checking account on a range of features, including:

• Fees
• Minimum deposit and/or minimum balance requirement
• Interest offered
• Number of states with branches
• Large ATM network
• Ease of use and account accessibility
• Customer reviews, when available

We took into account CNBC Select audience data, including demographics and engagement with our content and tools, when possible.

The accounts on this list are insured by the FDIC or NCUA up to $250,000 per depositor, providing protection and reimbursement in the event of bank or credit union failure.

Checking account rates and fee structures may change without notice and can fluctuate based on the prime rate. Your earnings are affected by any associated fees and the balance in your account. To open an account, some banks and institutions may require a deposit of new money, meaning you cannot transfer money you already had in an account at that bank.

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