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finder.com’s rating: 5.0 / 5.0
★★★★★
Axos Bank’s no-frills Essential Checking account features fully reimbursed domestic ATM transactions and no maintenance fees, but it doesn’t earn interest over time.
$0 per month
Fee
N/A
APY
$0
Minimum deposit to open
APY | N/A |
---|---|
Fee | $0 per month |
Minimum deposit to open | $0 |
ATMs | ATM fees reimbursed at any ATM nationwide |
ATM transaction fee | $0 |
ATM fee rebates | Unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements |
Foreign transaction fee | 1% |
Overdraft fee | $0 |
Nonsufficient funds fee | $0 |
Learn more | Apply now |
Review by
Amy Stoltenberg manages newsletters at Finder, gathering the best articles each week to help subscribers save money and stretch their hard-earned dollars. She also handles the Twitter account, dabbling in Instagram and Facebook too. When she's not on the computer, you can find her exploring Los Angeles with a good book in tow. She studied writing at Savannah College of Art and Design and has been featured on the Zoe Report.
But the account is handled entirely online and there’s no in-person help.
If the Essential Checking account appeals to you, take the following steps:
After Axos receives your Social Security information and birth date, you’ll submit the application.
Here’s what you’ll need to keep nearby when applying:
To qualify for an account, you must be a US citizen or resident alien 18 years or older. Also, you must use the Essential Checking account for personal use — it’s not meant for business.
We gathered a quick comparison of similar accounts to help you decide if Axos Bank Essential Checking is best for you. For more options, select “Compare accounts” to compare even more checking accounts.
Axos Bank Essential Checking |
Chime Checking account |
BMO Harris Smart Advantage Account |
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★★★★★ |
★★★★★ |
★★★★★ Finder rating 4.7 / 5 |
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Fee $0 |
Fee $0 |
Fee $0 |
Annual Percentage Yield (APY) N/A |
Annual Percentage Yield (APY) 1.50% |
Annual Percentage Yield (APY) N/A |
Minimum deposit to open $0 |
Minimum deposit to open $0 |
Minimum deposit to open $25 |
Compare even more checking accounts
All of Axos Bank‘s checking accounts are completely fee-free. You’ll get 24/7 access to its suite of digital banking tools like mobile deposit, online bill bay and a No-Hassle Switch Kit so you can seamlessly transfer funds from another account.
Stand-out features of the Axos Bank Essential Checking account include:
Keep an eye out for these potential drawbacks when opening an Essential Checking account with Axos:
If you want an account at a bank with branches, you’ll want to keep looking. As always, compare your options when choosing a checking account.
When you open an Essential Checking account, you’ll receive a debit card. And though Axos doesn’t have any physical locations, you can use any ATM in the US and get all fees reimbursed.
Axos Bank offers a completely digital experience. As such, its fee structure is almost nonexistent because overhead costs are low. You can make deposits online for free 24/7 and set up automatic bill pay at no extra cost.Deposit cash into your Axos Bank Essential Checking account by:
Withdraw cash at any domestic ATM. All you need is your Axos Bank Nationwide debit card.
If you’re curious about other options, Axos Bank offers:
★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
We analyze top checking accounts and rate them one to five stars based on factors that are most important to you. These factors include: monthly fees, the ease at which monthly fees can be waived, the breadth of ATM access, ATM and overdraft fees, and customer service.