While 80% of Americans report having a joint bank account with their significant other, you don’t need to be married (or even dating) to get use out of a joint bank account. A joint checking or savings account can make financial management easier with your spouse, roommate, business partner and even your kids. We’ve researched and analyzed over 400 joint accounts, and here are eight of the best.
SoFi's Checking & Savings all-in-one online account takes the top spot for best overall joint bank account. An additional owner can easily be added to your account with a simple online application that's directly sent to them. There are no monthly or overdraft fees or an opening deposit requirement. The checking and savings both earn APY: 0.50% for checking and up to 4.60% for savings. To earn the highest APY on savings, set up direct deposit, which also gives you access to no-fee overdraft coverage up to $50. If you don't do direct deposit, you can still earn 4.60% APY on savings by depositing at least $5,000 per month. If you don't meet either deposit requirement, your savings still earns 1.20% APY. SoFi also offers optional FDIC insurance up to $2 million. However, many users report issues connecting their bank to fund their SoFi account if their existing bank isn't compatible with Plaid.
Pros
Allows one additional joint owner
No monthly or overdraft fees
Up to 4.60% APY on savings
Cons
No physical branches
Requires direct deposit for best perks
Uses Plaid to fund from external accounts
APY
4.60% on balances of $0+ 0.50% on balances of $0 to 1.20% on balances of $0+
Intro or bonus offer
Get up to $300 cash bonus with qualifying direct deposit. Terms apply. This offer is available until June 30, 2024.
Rewards
Get up to $300 cash bonus with qualifying direct deposit. Terms apply. This offer is available until June 30, 2024.
Greenlight is a top kids' account offering parents three plans to choose from. Each plan offers up to five kids' debit cards and an app with granular parental controls that allow you to set store- and category-level spending limits. There are no reload fees, and you and your kid will get access to chore and allowance features, money games, and tools for spending, saving and earning. Greenlight also offers a credit card that's currently waitlisted called the Family Cash Card that accepts kids as authorized users so they can start building credit history. One of the only downsides with Greenlight is that you'll pay a monthly fee of at least $4.99 per month.
Pros
Up to five kids per plan
Strong parental controls
Optional investing platform and credit card
Money games and educational content
Cons
Unavoidable monthly fee
Monthly fee
$4.99
ATM withdrawal
$0
Card replacement fee
$3.50
Card type
Debit
Card network
Mastercard
Special offer
For each successful referral you or your kid make, you’ll earn a cash bonus and so will your referral.
Relay wins our best pick for a joint business bank account. This business checking account lets you create up to 20 customizable checking accounts for your team or specific expenses and assign up to 50 debit cards to employees with daily spending and ATM withdrawal limits. There are also no monthly fees, foreign transaction or ATM fees. Its savings account also offers 1% to 3% APY, depending on your balance. On the downside, Relay doesn't offer checkwriting, and you'll need a balance of at least $1 million to earn the 3% APY on the savings account.
Pros
No monthly, foreign or ATM fees
Up to 20 checking accounts
Up to 50 debit cards for employees
Cons
No checkwriting privileges
Requires high balance for best APY
APY
3.00% on balances of $1,000,000+ 2.00% on balances of $250,000 to $999,999 1.50% on balances of $50,000 to $249,999
Relay is a financial technology company, not an FDIC-insured bank. Banking services and FDIC insurance are provided through Thread Bank and Evolve Bank & Trust; Members FDIC.The Relay Visa® Debit Card is issued by Thread Bank pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and may be used everywhere Visa® debit cards are accepted.
Zeta stands out for its joint accounts for married and unmarried couples alike. There are no monthly or overdraft fees and no balance requirements. When you sign up, you get one joint bank account and two debit cards. The mobile app is bursting with couple-friendly features like an in-app chat function to discuss finances, auto-bill pay, envelope system budgeting, virtual cards, savings goals and more. You and your partner can set up weekly or monthly spending trackers to stay on budget. Also earn up to 2.43% APY on your checking balance with VIP status by depositing at least $1,000 per month or holding a minimum balance of at least $5,000. You can also link your credit cards to the Zeta joint account, so the app can set aside money for you to easily pay off the balance. However, app reviews frequently mention the app has some technical issues.
Pros
No monthly fees or balance requirements
Up to 2.43% APY with VIP status
In-app chat function
Budgeting, savings goals and auto bill pay
Cons
Must obtain VIP status for APY
Reviews point out buggy app
No separate savings account
APY
2.43% on balances of $0.01+ 2.43% APY with $1,000 in direct deposit or $5,000 minimum daily average
Ivella features a joint savings account that's heavily designed for engaged or married couples. It offers a very high 5.15% APY with direct deposit, or by subscribing to Pods+. When you open the Ivella checking account, you get up to two pods for free. With its Pods+ membership costing $5 per month (and a free 30-day trial), you can create up to 500 savings pods to separate your custom savings goals for things like a honeymoon, college savings, vacations, emergencies — you name it. Each savings pod has its own account and routing number, so it's like having 500 savings accounts in one. You also get virtual cards that can be assigned to individual pods for easy budgeting. Set savings goals you can track in the app with your partner, and have peace of mind with up to $500,000 on FDIC insurance. Just keep in mind that if you don't set up some form of direct deposit or get Pods+, the APY drops to 1%.
Pros
Highly competitive 5.15% APY
Pods come with up to two virtual cards each
Create and track savings goals
Up to $500,000 in FDIC insurance
Cons
More than two pods requires Pods+ paid account
Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
5.15%
1.00%
Minimum balance to earn interest
$0
APY
Up to 5.15%
Fee
From $0
on Ivella's secure site
verified_userFDIC Insured
Best for joint checking
Ally Bank Spending Account
4.3
★★★★★
Finder score
Ally Bank's Spending Account is a top account for singletons and couples alike. You can add up to four joint owners who each get their own login, and there are no monthly fees or balance requirements. It's full of hard-to-beat perks, including $10 in monthly out-of-network ATM reimbursements, free checks, online bill pay, savings roundups, and early direct deposit. You can also create up to 30 spending buckets, which function like digital envelopes for budgeting. Earn up to 0.10% APY on balances under $15,000 and up to 0.25% APY on balances over $15,000 on your spending account and buckets. Even if you can't earn the highest APY, the 0.10% rate is still higher than the national average of 0.07%. However, as an online bank, you'll get no physical branches, and you can't make cash deposits.
Pros
Allows up to four joint owners
No monthly or overdraft fees
Create up to 30 spending buckets
Earn 0.10% to 0.25% APY on balance
Cons
No cash deposits
Best APY requires a $15,000 balance
APY
0.25% on balances of $15,000+ 0.10% on balances of to $15,000
Fee
$0 per month
ATM transaction fee
$0
Foreign transaction fee
1%
Overdraft fee
$25
APY
Up to 0.25%
Fee
$0 per month
Minimum deposit to open
$0
verified_userFDIC Insured
Best joint credit card
Discover it® Secured
4.4
★★★★★
Finder score
Discover It Secured is a highly rated credit card with no annual fee. Discover credit cards allow up to five authorized users. There's no minimum credit score requirement, so it's great for young couples or families looking to build credit together. You can earn 2% cash back at gas stations and restaurants up to $1,000 each quarter and unlimited 1% everywhere else. Plus, Discover matches all the cash back you earned in the first year of card ownership automatically with no limits. After seven months, Discover reviews your account to see if you can upgrade to an unsecured card and earn your deposit back. Like other secured credit cards, there's an APR, and you'll need to make an opening deposit of at least $200.
Pros
Up to five authorized users
No annual fee
No minimum credit score requirement
Cashback and match program
Cons
Minimum deposit of $200
Starting 28.24% purchase APR
Annual fee
$0
Purchase APR
28.24% variable
Balance transfer APR
10.99% intro for the first 6 months (then 27.99% variable) Balance transfer fee of 3%
Welcome Offer
Discover will match cash back earned at the end of your first card year
Rewards
Up to 2% cash back
Welcome Offer
Other
Rewards
Up to 2% cash back
Annual fee
$0
Minimum credit score
300
Best for roommates
Quontic Cash Rewards Checking
Quontic Cash Rewards Checking accepts one primary owner with up to four other joint owners, with no monthly fees. And, as the name suggests, there's cash back to be earned: 1% cash back on all signature-based purchases up to $50 per month. Quontic also offers a unique product called Pay Ring, which is a wearable ring that works like a contactless debit card that's tied to your Quontic checking account. It's free to get, doesn't need to be charged, is water- and scratch-resistant and can easily be turned on and off from the Quontic app. Each joint owner can also get a free Pay Ring. This cashback checking account has a $100 opening deposit requirement, but after that, there are no minimum balance requirements.
Pros
Up to five joint owners
No monthly fees
1% cash back up to $50 per month
Free Pay Ring for contactless payments
Cons
$100 opening deposit
APY
N/A
Fee
$0 per month
Foreign transaction fee
0%
Overdraft fee
$0
Fee
$0 per month
Minimum deposit to open
$100
verified_userFDIC Insured
Methodology
Finder’s banking experts research over 400 bank accounts to find the best joint account options. We compare checking, saving, business and kids’ bank accounts to find the best in the current market and update our best picks regularly. We also favor accounts with no monthly fees, no opening deposit requirements, and accounts with joint-specific features such as in-app chats, shared savings goals and budgeting.
Nationwide availability
Monthly fee at or below $5
Must accept more than one account holder
Opening deposits:
At or below $100 for savings and checking
At or below $200 for credit cards
Reasonable requirements to earn APY on savings, such as a direct deposit requirement
How do joint bank accounts work?
Joint bank accounts work just like regular bank accounts — the main difference is that two or more people share the account. For joint checking, each owner gets their own debit card and can access the funds. Both owners are responsible for fees incurred, like overdraft charges, so you should only open a joint bank account with someone you trust.
Although they typically allow up to two account holders, some providers allow three or more people. Most joint accounts give owners equal access, but some banks allow you to add restrictions, such as requiring dual signatures for withdrawals or closures — a particularly common restriction with joint business bank accounts.
How to open a joint bank account
The application process for a joint bank account is nearly the same as opening an account on your own. However, some banks don’t allow you to open a joint account unless you already have an account with them. Some traditional banks might require you to visit a branch to verify the person you’re adding to the account.
To apply for a joint bank account, you and the other intended owner(s) need to show proof of identity and address, provide other contact information and meet deposit requirements, if applicable. Some banks review your bank account history through ChexSystems when you apply.
Are joint accounts a good idea?
Joint bank accounts are a great way for spouses and life partners to manage expenses and get on the same page financially.
Both owners can see transactions, pay bills, keep track of spending and their budget. Joint accounts can also be great for roommates, business partners and family members who share expenses, or caregivers who manage someone else’s finances.
Whoever you choose to get a joint account with, trust is key — co-owners will likely have equal access to the funds unless set up otherwise.
Joint accounts for kids
Joint accounts are also a great idea for parents, as they can open a joint bank account with their kids to monitor their spending and teach them how to manage their money. Parents can also open a shared savings account to set their child up for later.
Expert tip: How FDIC insurance works with joint accounts
Each co-owner of a joint account is insured up to $250,000 for the combined amount of their funds in all joint accounts at the same institution, according to the FDIC. Simply put, this means you and each joint owner are individually insured up to $250,000. Insurance covers the depositor (you), not the account. If you and one co-owner pool over $500,000 in one bank, consider spreading out funds for full deposit insurance coverage.
Joint bank accounts are great for couples and can also help anyone looking to share or manage expenses with multiple people. Regardless of where you open your joint checking or savings account, be sure you and the co-owner trust each other.
Bethany Hickey is a personal finance writer at Finder, specializing in banking, lending, insurance, and crypto.
Bethany’s expertise in personal finance has garnered recognition from esteemed media outlets, such as Nasdaq, MSN, Yahoo Finance, GOBankingRates, SuperMoney, AOL and Newsweek. Her articles offer practical financial strategies to Americans, empowering them to make decisions that meet their financial goals. Her past work includes articles on generational spending and saving habits, lending, budgeting and managing debt.
Before joining Finder, she was a content manager where she wrote hundreds of articles and news pieces on auto financing and credit repair for CarsDirect, Auto Credit Express and The Car Connection, among others.
Bethany holds a BA in English from the University of Michigan-Flint, and was poetry editor for the university’s Qua Literary and Fine Arts Magazine.
SoFi and Capital One are both good picks for different reasons. SoFi is best for everyday banking, but Capital One has more account options and branches.
Yes, you may deposit a personal check named to a single individual to a joint account. Kindly take note that once deposited to the joint account, both of the account holders will have equal rights to the total amount on the account.
I am going to add another person to my account what happens that day, what information is given to them, what documentation do they have to sign does it take a long time to do?
If you plan to add another person to your account, the information shared with the person is any and all details of your account unless otherwise it can be requested with your bank to share limited information. Bank process and documentation will depend on the bank you choose.
Hope this helps! For any further questions, feel free to reach out to us again, we’re here to help.
Hi, I have a joint account with my partner. If he was to get a loan through our bank account would the bank need to ask my permission first or can he get loans without my consent?
Since it is a joint account, both parties have access towards the funds unless there is a policy advised that the account could only be accessed with both parties consent. You may need to contact your bank to check if this policy is activated with your joint account.
Since the joint account has only one online account then it has only one password. If you haven’t opened a joint account and considering to open one, please have your queries listed and ask them all to your chosen bank.
That might be possible as most banks would open joint accounts for unrelated individuals, who may be living from different states. As per this page you’re looking at, so long that both of you and your partner met the eligibility requirements, know the rules, consequences, anything on having a joint account then it is fine if you don’t live under one roof. Please note that the key to a successful joint bank accounts is trust.
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Can I direct deposit my checks to a joint checking account?
Hi AJ,
Thank you for contacting Finder.
Yes, you may deposit a personal check named to a single individual to a joint account. Kindly take note that once deposited to the joint account, both of the account holders will have equal rights to the total amount on the account.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Ash
I am going to add another person to my account what happens that day, what information is given to them, what documentation do they have to sign does it take a long time to do?
Hi Sudeysi,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder!
If you plan to add another person to your account, the information shared with the person is any and all details of your account unless otherwise it can be requested with your bank to share limited information. Bank process and documentation will depend on the bank you choose.
Hope this helps! For any further questions, feel free to reach out to us again, we’re here to help.
Cheers,
Nikki
Hi, I have a joint account with my partner. If he was to get a loan through our bank account would the bank need to ask my permission first or can he get loans without my consent?
Hi Laura,
Thanks for your inquiry.
Since it is a joint account, both parties have access towards the funds unless there is a policy advised that the account could only be accessed with both parties consent. You may need to contact your bank to check if this policy is activated with your joint account.
I hope this helps.
Kind regards,
Bella
For joint accounts is there only one password.
Hi Diane,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
Since the joint account has only one online account then it has only one password. If you haven’t opened a joint account and considering to open one, please have your queries listed and ask them all to your chosen bank.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
Can I open a new joint account with a person living another state?
Hi Michael,
Thank you for getting in touch with Finder.
That might be possible as most banks would open joint accounts for unrelated individuals, who may be living from different states. As per this page you’re looking at, so long that both of you and your partner met the eligibility requirements, know the rules, consequences, anything on having a joint account then it is fine if you don’t live under one roof. Please note that the key to a successful joint bank accounts is trust.
I hope this helps.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni