Best Checking Accounts in Washington for 2025
Washington banks work hard to earn your business. The best checking accounts in Washington might be online or local – that depends upon what you need and want from the banking experience. Read on to discover what you’ll find with online or local checking accounts in Washington.
Compare Washington and Online Checking Accounts
Start by having an idea of which bank is right for you – the online bank or the local one? Here are a few questions to help you decide.
- Do you prefer to handle your money on your own?
- Do you find it easy to use mobile apps and websites?
- Do you often use an ATM to handle your money?
- Do you deposit cash often?
- Do you withdraw money on a regular basis?
- Do you need strong customer service?
- Do you avoid banks that charge fees?
- Do you want to earn interest on your money?
Compare Local Washington and Online Checking Accounts
Best Checking Accounts in Washington
Reviewing some of the best checking accounts in Washington can help you choose the one that’s right for you. Here are some solid examples of what to expect.
WaFd Bank
Washington Federal Bank is home to numerous checking accounts for customers who live in Washington and surrounding areas. Each account requires $25 to open, except for the Free Checking, which is free even with minimum and opening balance requirements.
Though most of the accounts here don’t require a minimum balance, the Interest Checking does; customers must have at least $5,000 in daily balances in this account to waive the $12 service fee and earn interest.
Most accounts earn cash back on debit card purchases, and all offer digital banking, overdraft protection, and the opportunity to link a savings account.
Umpqua Bank
Four unique checking account options at Umpqua Bank can help you choose the one that’s right for you and your money.
Foundation Checking is right for those who are just starting out or looking to rebuild their financial life. Attain Checking offers interest and other perks, including up to $25 reimbursement for foreign ATM fees and free cashier’s checks.
Embark Checking makes banking easy with seamless transfers to savings accounts and up to $10 reimbursement for ATM fees per cycle. Finally,
Access Checking is for those who occasionally use bells and whistles, like wire transfers, but not regularly enough to pay a higher fee for the service.
Banner Bank
Washington is home to Banner Bank, with four options for checking accounts.
The basic account is the Digital Account, which allows you to bank entirely online with a service charge of $3 per month; this requires $25 to open.
Connected Checking allows ways to waive the monthly fee and reimburse ATM charges. Rewards Checking offers those perks and more, such as insurance protections and discounts. Best Checking requires a higher daily balance of $5,000 but also provides excellent interest on higher balances and the opportunity to get even larger discounts with the bank and bank partners.
Easily Compare the Best Checking Accounts Online
Finding the bank with the best checking account to meet your needs is as simple as skimming the table below. Compare checking accounts and find the best bonuses and lowest fees being offered today.
Pros and Cons of Local Banks
Local banks offer serious convenience but can also have a few disadvantages.
Let’s look at some pros and cons of the bank or credit union right down the street.
Pros
- Local banks often have deep roots in the community and give back to those in need.
- Expect 24/7 customer service via phone but in-person banking during the day.
- You’ll usually find a full suite of services with local banks, including mortgages and the like.
- There are numerous branches and ATMs and the opportunity to meet with a banker.
Cons
- Interest rates might leave something to be desired, especially for those with lower balances.
- Customer service is great in the branches but perhaps not so much via phone, text, or email.
- Branches are usually open only during business hours, which can be tough for those who work those hours.
Online Checking for Washington Residents
Finding a strong online bank in Washington requires doing some research. What better way than to get first-person accounts of how the bank treats customers? These reviews of online banks can help you find the right one.
Mercury
Mercury offers tailored business banking solutions with its business checking and savings accounts, designed for startups and tech-focused businesses. Both accounts have no monthly fees, minimum balance requirements, or overdraft charges, making them cost-effective for growing companies.
The checking account supports unlimited free ACH transfers and wire payments, both domestic and international. Its savings account, called Mercury Treasury, allows businesses to earn competitive returns by allocating funds to government-backed securities.
Mercury’s standout feature is its powerful, intuitive dashboard. Users can manage finances, issue virtual and physical debit cards, and integrate with tools like QuickBooks and Stripe. Additional perks include multi-user access with custom permissions and automated cash flow management tools.
While Mercury doesn’t offer traditional branch services or cash deposits, its tech-first approach is ideal for digital-first businesses. Mercury’s accounts provide a sleek, scalable banking solution for modern entrepreneurs and startups seeking efficiency and financial control.
Quontic Checking
Quontic Bank offers innovative checking account options designed to meet various financial needs. Its most notable product is the High Interest Checking, which rewards account holders with up to 1.10% APY, depending on debit card usage. This account stands out for blending traditional checking convenience with the benefits of a high-yield savings account.
Another option is Cash Rewards Checking, which offers 1% cash back on qualifying debit card purchases, making it ideal for frequent shoppers. Bitcoin Rewards Checking caters to cryptocurrency enthusiasts, allowing users to earn Bitcoin instead of traditional cash back—a unique feature in the banking industry.
Quontic’s accounts come with no monthly maintenance fees and offer access to over 90,000 surcharge-free ATMs. The user-friendly mobile app supports mobile deposits, bill pay, and budgeting tools. However, branch access is limited since Quontic operates primarily online. Overall, Quontic’s checking accounts combine innovative rewards with modern banking convenience.
Axos Checking
Axos Bank offers a range of checking accounts designed for different financial needs, blending digital convenience with competitive features. Its flagship account, Essential Checking, has no monthly maintenance fees, overdraft charges, or minimum balance requirements, making it ideal for everyday banking.
For higher returns, the Rewards Checking account offers up to 3.30% APY when specific conditions, such as monthly direct deposits and debit card purchases, are met. CashBack Checking is great for spenders, providing up to 1% cash back on qualifying debit card purchases.
Axos also features First Checking for teens and Golden Checking for seniors, offering age-specific benefits like no overdraft fees and interest earnings. The bank’s online platform includes a highly rated mobile app with tools like bill pay, check deposits, and money transfers.
While Axos lacks physical branches, its extensive ATM network and fee reimbursement policy ensure convenient access. Axos Bank delivers flexible, fee-friendly checking options tailored to diverse customer needs.
Pros and Cons of Online Checking Accounts
Local banks have their high points and low points, but so do online checking accounts.
Here’s how they might differ from the local guys.
Pros
- Expect higher interest rates with online banks since they usually have less overhead.
- Website and mobile apps will be strong enough to allow seamless banking.
- Look for banks that offer perks, such as cash deposited into your account when you meet certain requirements.
- Customer service is mostly virtual and can be reached online via email, text, chat, or phone.
Cons
- Don’t expect to find mortgages, auto loans, and the like at most online banks.
- Online banks don’t often have branches; those that do are usually in metro areas.
- Automated systems can make reaching a real customer service representative tough.
What to Look for When Choosing a Checking Account in Washington
If you’re ready to sign up for a checking account in Washington, great! Just keep these points in mind.
Monthly Fees
Many banks require monthly fees but provide easy ways to waive them. This might be as simple as having a direct deposit sent to your account every month or opting for online statements instead of paper ones. Look at the fees and how easy it is to waive them, and decide if that account is worth the hassle.
Other Fees
Even those banks that have no monthly fees will often charge for other things, such as wire transfers or getting a cashier’s check. Look at the fine print to find out what these fees are. If you never use those things or use them very rarely, you can safely ignore most of those fees when choosing your account.
ATM and Branch Access
Being able to access your money when you want is a crucial benefit of any checking account. Make sure your account offers an ATM card, fee-free ATMs, and a good mobile app. You can also look for a local bank that has branches if you prefer to bank in person or want more than a checking account to handle your money.
Interest Rates and Bonuses
Some online banks offer competitive interest rates on checking accounts, but some local banks get into the game with higher rates. Also, look for bonuses and other perks that come from signing up – sometimes, that means a nice sum of cash deposited into your account over a few months of keeping things in good standing.
Mobile Banking Apps
If you choose to bank online, you will certainly need a strong mobile app. Keep in mind that some local banks will overlook their mobile and online options in favor of improving their in-person customer service. Decide how you want to bank, then try out the mobile app to ensure it works well.
What to Know About Washington Checking Accounts
To wrap things up, here are some interesting facts about checking accounts in Washington.
- Postdating a check is certainly permissible, but banks can cash a written check at any time, no matter what the dateline says. Take care when writing out a check, and ensure there is plenty in your account to cover it at any time.
- Stop payment orders must be confirmed in writing to be valid in Washington state, so if you use a phone call to place the stop quickly, make sure you go to the bank to fill out the paperwork within 14 days to extend the stop payment for six months.
- In Washington, $500 in a bank account is exempt from garnishment, and institutions must complete many layers of paperwork to initiate a garnishment. This was implemented to protect consumers during the COVID-19 epidemic.
