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Thanks to new legislation protecting consumers from outrageous overdraft and penalty fees, free checking is almost a thing of the past. While some smaller banks are still offering free checking, large institutions are making it more difficult for consumers to avoid monthly fees.

This new expense makes it more important than ever for consumers to find the best checking accounts. For a checking account to be worth the monthly fee, it must offer a number of useful features.

When looking for the best checking accounts, consumers should avoid any account that costs money to open. The best accounts are free to open and do not require a minimum deposit. Upon opening an account, consumers should be issued a debit card and a box of check. While replacement checks and debit cards may cost money, the first ones should be free. These are the most basic features of the best accounts.

After finding an account that meets those basic requirements, its important to begin looking at a number of other features. The best checking accounts should always offer free online banking. Nowadays, most consumers want to be able to manage their account online. Many banks even offer smartphone apps to make this even easier. Taking advantage of online banking allows consumers to manage their spending, avoid overspending, and take advantage of automatic bill pay, which is great for people that regularly forget to pay bills on time.

Many checking accounts offer even more useful features. While most banks offer overdraft protection, some offer this protection for free. That means that there is no fee for over-drafting your account. Many banks also offer extras like free checks, interest on deposits, and ATM fee reimbursement. While these perks may be few and far between, some banks still reward customers for choosing them.

The last important thing for consumers to look for is customer service. The best checking accounts provide fast and easy customer service. If a customer cant visit their bank in person, they should be able to quickly contact their bank by phone or e-mail. If a bank doesnt offer convenient customer service, maintaining your checking account may end up being a headache, regardless of the accounts attractive features.

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