Compare Checking Accounts: Which Checking Account is Best

Which account is right for you?

When comparing checking accounts, consider your lifestyle and needs. Are you looking for the basics, for extra rewards, or a way to earn interest? Here’s an overview of Armed Forces Bank's best checking accounts and how they each stand out.
Open Account












































Best for Interest

Access Investment Checking


Interested in Interest?

  • Interest earned on all balances
  • Tiered rate structure means larger balances grow at higher rates
  • Special loan discounts, including a mortgage closing cost discount ($250)
  • Unlimited ATM fee waivers


Access Rewards Checking


Big Rewards. Big Protection.

  • Save with exclusive deals on shopping, dining, entertainment and more
  • Includes credit file, identity and dark web monitoring
  • Cell phone protection, roadside assistance and more
(See Insurance Disclosure)


Most Popular

Access Freedom Checking


FREE and EASY!

  • No monthly service charge
  • No minimum balance required
  • No fee money orders
  • Free eStatements



Safe Spending Account


No Overdraft Fees

  • No need to worry about Overdraft fees
  • No account activation, closure, dormancy, or low balance fees
  • In-network ATMS are free, and out-of-network ATM fees are only $2.50


Student Checking


23 and Under

  • A low-cost checking account for full-time students under 23 years old
  • Access our convenient technology to manage your money
  • Withdraw cash at locations nationwide






Analyze all the details



Account types Access Investment Checking Access Rewards7† Checking Access Freedom Checking Safe Spending Account Student Checking
Opening Balance Requirement
$100 $100 $25 $25 $25
Early Pay (1 day)¹
Check mark Check mark Check mark
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MoneyPass® 38,000+ATMs² Check mark Check mark Check mark

Online Banking with Bill Pay Check mark Check mark Check mark Check mark Check mark
Mobile Banking³ with Check Deposit⁴ Check mark Check mark Check mark Check mark Check mark
Visa® Debit Card & Controls Check mark Check mark Check mark Check mark Check mark
Free eStatements⁵ Check mark Check mark Check mark Check mark Check mark
Rewards & Benefits
Interest Earned on all balances6

Unlimited ATM Fee Waivers

Mortgage Discount - $250 off closing costs

No Fee Money Orders & Cashier's Checks

Complimentary
Standard Checks

Free eStatements &
Paper Statements⁵
Credit File Monitoring

Identity Monitoring

Dark Web Monitoring

Cell Phone Protection

Online Shopping Discounts

Movie, Dining &  Theme Park Discounts

Roadside Assistance

No Fee Money Orders & Cashier's Checks

Complimentary Standard Checks

Free eStatements⁵

(See Insurance Disclosure)
No Fee Money Orders

Free eStatements⁵


Monthly Service Charge $20 $6 $0 $5 $5
Additional Monthly Service Charge details
No monthly service charge when you meet one of the following requirements each statement cycle:

Maintain daily balance of $5,000

OR

Maintain average balance of $10,000 per statement cycle
Non-Waivable
eStatements required.
 
$5 monthly fee will be charged if paper statements are chosen.
Non-Waivable
No fee when you meet all of the following requirements each statement cycle:

Enrolled in Online Banking

AND

Signed up for eStatements

AND

Under 23 years old
Open an Account




 
Closing new accounts within 90 days of opening will result in a $25 early closure fee.

Saving Cents

What's your spare change worth? Plenty over the long haul. Using our Saving Cents option, every debit card purchase rounds up and the change is automatically transferred to your Armed Forces Bank Savings Account.

  • Choose to round up to the nearest dollar or in $5 increments
  • Each night, the rounded-up change automatically transfers from your checking to your savings
  • Track your savings progress through Mobile and Online Banking

To sign up, call or visit a branch, or log into Mobile Banking and send a Secure Message.




FAQs




Armed Forces Bank is a full-service financial institution founded in 1907 catering to active-duty and retired military, Department of Defense personnel, veterans, civilians, and their families in all 50 states and around the world.
* Registration/activation required.
1 Direct deposit required. Maximum ACH credit is $15,000.
2 No fees for withdrawals, transfers, balance inquiries or denied ATM transactions at ATMs in the MoneyPass® Network if you have a MoneyPass® logo on the back of your card. MoneyPass® Network ATMs are within the U.S. only.
3 Message and data rates charged by your mobile phone carrier may apply.
4 Deposits are subject to verification and not available for immediate withdrawal. Deposit limits and restrictions apply. 
5 Free eStatements or $5 paper statements for Access Rewards and Access Digital Checking accounts. Paper statements are free for Access Investment account holders.
6 Interest begins to accrue no later than the business day we receive credit for the deposit of non-cash items. If the account is closed prior to the interest payment date, no interest will be paid. Fees may be charged to the account, which could reduce earnings on the account.
 7 Benefits are available to personal checking accounts and their primary account owner and joint account owner(s) subject to the terms and conditions set forth for the applicable Benefits. Some Benefits require authentication, registration and/or activation. Benefits are not available to a “signer” on the account who is not an account owner or to businesses, clubs, trusts, organizations and/or churches and their members, or schools and their employees/students. 
† Special Program Notes: The descriptions herein are summaries only and do not include all terms, conditions, and exclusions of the Benefits described. Please refer to the actual Guide to Benefit and/or insurance documents for complete details of coverage and exclusions.
Visa's Zero Liability policy covers U.S. issued cards only and does not apply to ATM transactions, PIN transactions not processed by VISA® or certain commercial card transactions. Cardholders must notify card issuer promptly of any unauthorized use. Consult issuer for specific restrictions, limitations and other details.

INSURANCE DISCLOSURE: Insurance products are NOT insured by FDIC or any Federal Government Agency; NOT a deposit of or guaranteed by the bank or any bank affiliate. Coverage is provided through the company named in the Guide to Benefit or on the certificate of insurance.