Free Checking Account

Keep it simple with a free checking account

Pricing

Get free checking when you go paperless

Enroll in paperless statements within 60 days of opening your account to keep your checking account fee-free.D

  • Minimum opening deposit of $50
  • Choose your overdraft protectionD level
Benefits

Convenience without costs

Forget the fees

Avoid any fees on your free checking account by meeting the above criteria.

Get overdraft protection

Choose the right level of overdraft protection coverageD for your account.

Take control of your finances

Use proactive protectionD to track and manage your money with convenient services, online tools, account alerts and more.

Get alerts

Securely keep track of your account activity with text and email alerts.

Spot spending trends

Use the Manage My Money trends tool to visualize your spending habits.

Pay with your phone

Link your debit card to digital wallets like Apple Pay® and Samsung Pay®.

Not quite sure? Answer a few questions to find the right checking account for you.

Payments & Transfers

Instantly move your money wherever you need it

Pay your bills from any device

Send money with Zelle®

Transfer funds to other accounts

Learn more about payments and transfers in digital banking
Payments & Transfers

Instantly move your money wherever you need it

Pay your bills from any device

Payments & Transfers

Instantly move your money wherever you need it

Send money with Zelle®

Payments & Transfers

Instantly move your money wherever you need it

Transfer funds to other accounts

Learn more about payments and transfers in digital banking
FAQ

People often ask us

A free checking account lets you safely and easily deposit and withdraw money for everyday purchases. You can use personal checks or a debit card to spend your money, buy groceries and gas, pay bills, and get cash from ATMs.

You can open a free checking account online with First Citizens, or by visiting your local branch. You can also call us at 888-FC DIRECT where a representative will help you.

Yes. Your free checking account comes with a Visa debit card that makes everyday spending simpler, safer and quicker than carrying cash or checks. You can request a debit card by logging into Digital Banking.

You can use Digital Banking to manage your free checking account online. Easily track your transactions, set up budgets, transfer money and make payments all in one convenient place. Download the First Citizens mobile banking app to manage your account and deposit checks on the go.

We offer multiple ways to protect your free checking account from overdrafts. Go beyond basic overdraft protection by linking to a savings account or opening a Checkline Reserve. Learn more about your options for overdraft protection coverage.

Yes. We use top-of-the-line security to protect your free checking account, including data encryption and multi-factor authentication. You can also set up alerts to monitor your account balances, transactions and settings in real time.

Your Family First

Do more for your family and finances

Simplify and manage the complexities of your family's financial life.
Learn more about Your Family First
Cash Rewards

Get cash back on every purchase

Keep it simple. Earn unlimited cash back and pay no annual fee with our Cash Rewards credit card.
Learn more about our cash rewards credit card
Bank on Customer Service

Need help with opening your account?

Account openings and credit are subject to bank approval.

For complete list of account details and fees, see our Personal Account Disclosures.

Apple, the Apple logo and Apple Pay are trademarks of Apple, Inc., registered in the US and other countries.

Samsung and Samsung Pay are trademarks of Samsung Electronics, Ltd.

Zelle® and the Zelle® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.

Paperless statements are required. To be eligible for Free Checking, you must sign up to receive First Citizens paperless statements within 60 days of account opening. If you do not sign up and receive paperless statements, your account will be converted automatically and without prior notice to you to a Select Checking account and will be subject to the fees and charges applicable to a Select Checking account. The applicable fees and charges will be debited from your account without further notice to you and will appear on your account statement. If you overdraw your account, fees may apply. Refer to our Personal Account Disclosures for full details.

First Citizens does not charge fees to download or access First Citizens Digital Banking, including the First Citizens mobile banking app or First Citizens Text Banking. Mobile carrier fees may apply for data and text message usage. Check with your carrier for more information. Fees may apply for use of certain services in First Citizens Digital Banking.

First Citizens Bank will charge you up to $36 each time we pay an overdraft, up to our limit of four (4) overdraft charges per business day. We will not charge you for overdrafts caused by transactions of $5.00 or less. You are obligated to pay overdrafts immediately. We pay overdrafts at our discretion. If we do not choose to pay your overdraft, the transaction will be declined. Consumers are responsible for the repayment of overdrafts and have the option to decline this service. Overdraft protection is not available on the Together Card. Please see our Deposit Account Agreement for additional details.

Links to third-party websites may have a privacy policy different from First Citizens Bank and may provide less security than this website. First Citizens Bank and its affiliates are not responsible for the products, services and content on any third-party website.

Bank deposit products are offered by First Citizens Bank. Member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender. icon: sys-ehl.