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Citi Interest Checking Accounts review

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Citibank Account Package
2.7
★★★★★
Finder score

Citibank Account Package isn't available on Finder right now.

Fee
$25 per month
APY
0.05%
Minimum deposit to open
$0

Our verdict

Earn interest on your balance with the convenience of a linked savings account.

Citi®'s interest-bearing checking accounts come with access to rewards, cash bonuses and a linked savings account to make growing your funds convenient. However, it also comes with maintenance fees that can only be avoided with high average monthly balances. If you're just starting to build your savings, these accounts might not be your best option.

Pros

  • Earn Citi ThankYou Rewards points
  • Earn interest on your checking account balance
  • No Citi fee for using non-Citi ATMs when monthly balance requirements are met

Cons

  • Overdraft fees
  • Low interest rate
  • Branch availability

In this guide

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How do I open a Citi Interest Checking Account?

Go to the provider’s site and follow the steps to apply.
  1. Navigate to Checking and select from Interest Checking and Citi Savings, Interest Checking or Regular Checking to open an account.
  2. Enter your personal information, confirm your identity and complete additional steps for the account.
  3. Enter your banking info, fund your account and submit your application.

Eligibility

To open an account, you must meet eligibility requirements that include:

  • At least 18 years old
  • US citizen or resident alien
  • Valid US residential address
  • Valid Social Security number

Required information

You must provide personal and financial information that includes:

  • Name
  • Date of birth
  • Proof of residential address
  • Address
  • Social Security number
  • Employment information

Signup bonuses for Citi Interest Checking Account

Eligible checking accounts come with three tiers of signup bonuses, each with several required activities.

$300, $700 or $1,500 bonus — and required activities

  • Open Basic Banking Regular Checking or a checking account in the Citi Account, Citigold Account or Citi Priority Packages by Sunday, July 17, 2022.
  • Enroll in the New to Citi Checking Account Bonus Offer on the same day that you open your account.
  • Deposit at least $15,000 in new funds within 20 days, qualifying for the $300 bonus. To get a higher reward, deposit at least $50,000 to receive the $700 bonus or $200,000 for the $1,500 bonus.
  • Maintain the minimum balance required for another 60 consecutive calendar days — at least $15,000 for the $300 bonus, $50,000 for the $700 bonus or $200,000 for the $1,500 bonus.
  • Citi credits your bonus to your account within 90 calendar days after you qualify.

Choose an account package with Interest Checking

Only the Citi, Citigold and Citi Priority Account Packages offer Interest Checking.

The monthly fee, interest rate and perks of your Citi Interest Checking account vary depending on the package you select.

  • Citibank Account Package. A checking account with the ability to earn rewards and waive Citi’s out-of-network ATM fee if you maintain a balance of $10,000 or more.
  • Citi Priority Account Package. Priority banking with investment resources, rewards points, preferred pricing and more.
  • Citigold Account Package. Full-service checking account with financial planning, dedicated customer representatives, preferred rates and a concierge service to help you book travel, tickets or dining.

6 benefits of Citi Interest Checking

Citi Interest Checking accounts offer a handful of perks that make it stand out from the rest.

  • Cash bonus. Earn a cash bonus of up to $1,500 when you meet required activities.
  • Earn interest. Earn APY on your account balance.
  • Convenience. Bundle the account with savings to keep more of your banking needs with Citi.
  • Security. Deposits of up to $250,000 are covered by the FDIC.
  • Accessibility. Accounts come with access to more than 70,000 free ATMs across the country, over 600 branch locations and a free app for banking on the go.
  • Rewards. Earn rewards that you can apply toward shopping, travel and more. And join the Citi Entertainment program to get exclusive access to concerts and other events.

Citi ATM network and fees

Your Citi debit card unlocks access to more than 70,000 fee-free ATMs and 600 branch locations nationwide. If you can’t make it to a Citi, Allpoint or MoneyPass ATM, you can still avoid paying extra.

Citi has a strong international presence, which means you aren’t charged transaction fees if you use a qualifying ATM outside the US.

With the Citibank Account Package, you can avoid foreign ATM fees of $2.50 plus 3% of transaction value per withdrawal — plus fees from the ATM owner.

Other ways to avoid non-Citi and foreign fees:

  • Non-Citi ATM fees. Select the Citibank Account Package and maintain the $10,000 minimum balance or the Citi Priority Package with any balance for no fees. ATM owner fees may apply.
  • Refunds of non-Citi ATM fees. The Citigold Account Package offers unlimited refunds non-Citi ATM fees.

4 things to look out for

  1. Monthly service charge. You could pay a service fee of up to $30, though each account offers ways to avoid the fee.
    • Citibank Account Package. Maintain an average monthly balance of $10,000 in eligible linked accounts.
    • Citi Priority Account Package. Maintain an average monthly balance of $50,000 in eligible linked accounts.
    • Citigold Account Package. Maintain an average monthly balance of $200,000 in eligible linked accounts.
  2. Overdraft fees. Pay $34 for each overdraft with a maximum of four charges a day. Citi charges $10 when it transfers money from a linked accounts to cover an overdraft transaction.
  3. Branch availability. Citi supports branches in California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, Nevada, New York, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia and Washington DC.
  4. Low APY. Interest rates are lower than checking accounts at other institutions.
  5. Compare checking accounts

    Compare interest, opening deposits, ATM network and rewards across top checking accounts. Select Go to site to apply.

    1 - 20 of 20
    Name Product USFSA-CHK Fee Minimum deposit to open Annual Percentage Yield (APY) Offer
    SoFi Checking and Savings
    Finder Score: 4.5 / 5: ★★★★★
    Bonus
    SoFi Checking and Savings
    $0 per month
    $0
    Up to 4.00%
    Get up to $300 cash bonus with qualifying direct deposit. Terms apply. This offer is available until December 31, 2024.
    Upgrade Rewards Checking Plus
    Finder Score: 4.3 / 5: ★★★★★
    Upgrade Rewards Checking Plus
    $0 per month
    $0
    N/A
    Axos ONE
    Finder Score: 4.2 / 5: ★★★★★
    Axos ONE
    $0 per month
    $0
    4.86% on balances of $0+
    1.00% on balances of $0+
    0.51% on balances of $0+
    Step Black Card
    Finder Score: 4.3 / 5: ★★★★★
    Step Black Card
    From $0 per month
    $0
    4.00% on balances of $0 to $1,000,000
    Chime® Checking Account
    Finder Score: 4.8 / 5: ★★★★★
    Bonus
    Chime® Checking Account
    $0 per month
    $0
    N/A
    Refer a friend to Chime using your referral link, and if they complete a $200 direct deposit within 45 days of opening their new account, you both get $100.
    Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance Banking®
    Finder Score: 4.5 / 5: ★★★★★
    Bonus
    Bank of America Advantage SafeBalance Banking®
    $4.95 per month
    (can be waived)
    $25
    N/A
    $300 Bank of America Advantage Banking offer: See offer page for more details. Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC.
    Discover® Cashback Debit
    Finder Score: 4.8 / 5: ★★★★★
    Discover® Cashback Debit
    $0 per month
    $0
    N/A
    Current
    Finder Score: 4.6 / 5: ★★★★★
    Bonus
    Current
    $0 per month
    $0
    4.00% on balances of $0.01 to $2,000
    Get a $50 referral bonus by inviting your friends to join Current. Once the person receives the invite link and makes qualifying deposits of at least $200 within 45 days of opening the account, you and the referred friend each earn $50
    Dave
    Finder Score: 4.6 / 5: ★★★★★
    Dave
    From $0 per month
    $0
    4.00%
    HSBC Premier Checking
    Finder Score: 3.5 / 5: ★★★★★
    HSBC Premier Checking
    $50 per month
    (can be waived)
    $0
    0.01% on balances of $5+
    New customers could earn $1,500 or $2,500 if they open a new, eligible HSBC Premier checking account from July 1, 2024 through January 2, 2025, and complete qualifying activities.
    NBKC Everything Account
    Finder Score: 4.6 / 5: ★★★★★
    NBKC Everything Account
    $0 per month
    $0
    1.75% on balances of $0.01+
    Quontic Bank High Interest Checking
    Finder Score: 4.3 / 5: ★★★★★
    Quontic Bank High Interest Checking
    $0 per month
    $100
    1.10% on balances of $0+
    0.01% on balances of $0+
    Chase Total Checking®
    Finder Score: 3 / 5: ★★★★★
    Bonus
    Chase Total Checking®
    $12 per month
    (can be waived)
    $0
    N/A
    New Chase checking customers enjoy a $300 bonus when you open a Chase Total Checking® account and make direct deposits totaling $500 or more within 90 days of coupon enrollment.
    Consumers Credit Union Rewards Checking
    Finder Score: 4 / 5: ★★★★★
    Consumers Credit Union Rewards Checking
    $0 per month
    $5
    5.00% on balances of $0 to $10,000
    4.00% on balances of $0 to $10,000
    3.00% on balances of $0 to $10,000
    Walmart MoneyCard
    Finder Score: 3.8 / 5: ★★★★★
    Walmart MoneyCard
    $5.94 per month
    (can be waived)
    $0
    2.00%
    Chase Secure Banking℠
    Finder Score: 4.2 / 5: ★★★★★
    Bonus
    Chase Secure Banking℠
    $4.95 per month
    $0
    N/A
    New Chase checking customers enjoy a $100 bonus, when you open a new Chase Secure Banking account and complete 10 qualifying transactions within 60 days of coupon enrolment.
    U.S. Bank Platinum Business Checking Package
    Finder Score: 2.6 / 5: ★★★★★
    Bonus
    U.S. Bank Platinum Business Checking Package
    $30 per month
    (can be waived)
    $100
    N/A
    Earn up to a $900 bonus when you open a new, eligible U.S. Bank business checking account online with promo code Q4AFL24 and complete qualifying activities, subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through January 15, 2025. Member FDIC.
    U.S. Bank Gold Business Checking Package
    Finder Score: 3.5 / 5: ★★★★★
    U.S. Bank Gold Business Checking Package
    $20 per month
    (can be waived)
    $100
    N/A
    U.S. Bank Silver Business Checking Package
    Finder Score: 3.6 / 5: ★★★★★
    Bonus
    U.S. Bank Silver Business Checking Package
    $0 per month
    $100
    N/A
    Earn up to a $400 bonus when you open a new, eligible U.S. Bank business checking account online with promo code Q4AFL24 and complete qualifying activities, subject to certain terms and limitations. Offer valid through January 15, 2025. Member FDIC.
    Robinhood Cash Card
    Finder Score: 4.3 / 5: ★★★★★
    Robinhood Cash Card
    $0 per month
    $0
    N/A
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    What other checking options does Citi offer?

  • Basic Banking Package Regular Checking. This simple checking account offers unlimited check writing and fee-free access to Citi’s ATM network. It also requires a lower minimum account balance than other account packages to avoid the monthly fee.
  • Access Account Package Checkless Regular Checking. This account provides access to Citi’s products and services with no paper checks.

Checking account ratings

★★★★★ — Excellent

★★★★★ — Good

★★★★★ — Average

★★★★★ — Subpar

★★★★★ — Poor

Our banking experts analyze top checking accounts and factors that include monthly fees, the ability to waive fees, ATM networks, overdraft fees, customer service and more.

Learn more about how we prioritize and weight factors in our full methodology for rating checking accounts.

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