Having a checking account is one of the signs of adulthood. This is a financial responsibility that many people must have in order to be able to pay bills, establish credit and create some financial order out of the day to day living. Interestingly enough, it is thought that Dutch merchants in Amsterdam were the first real banking customers, since sailors and merchants both deposited their monies with the cashiers when they came to shore. Essentially, this was both a savings account and a checking account, and once the practice was shown to be both convenient and safe for all involved, it became very widespread.
When you open a checking account, you will have several options to choose from, and the actual policies and requirements will often vary from bank to bank and among the types of accounts being offered. Most of the time you will be expected to begin with a larger deposit amount, and the checks will be ordered. Once they arrive, you will have the opportunity to withdraw and add money as needed. Depending on the banking institution, you may have a free checking account, may get penalized if your balance goes below a certain point, or you may have access to free online banking.
If you are looking for ways to get a great checking account that won’t cost you money each month, begin talking to several different banks. Since they all have their very own specific policies, you might be able to get a better account offer from one than another. Additionally, many banks will offer a new account holder various discounts or special offers when they first open their account, so be sure to look for promotional deals.
There are many advantages to having this type of financial arrangement, and you can usually also get a debit card as well as paper checks. Today’s customers realize that this is not your average checking account – you can now have paper, plastic or electronic banking in ways that were not available even just a few years ago. Most people elect to do without the paper statements and do all of their banking transactions online. This means you can check your balance, withdrawals, deposits and rates without ever having to leave home.
If you want a great checking account, shop around. Look for one that will offer the fewest costs and fees and offer the greatest amount of protection. In this day and age of identity theft, you simply cannot be too careful, so make sure your assets will be protected. Look carefully over all bank policies, since some may charge for use of debit card, while others may charge for use of paper checks. Find one that can be customized to meet your specific needs and that will be convenient, safe and trustworthy. It is easier than ever before to open an account whether you are an adult or a minor, and in fact, this is a great way to teach children how to be responsible with their money.