Personal Banking Made Easy

Ready to find your next personal checking account? From simple and free to interest-earning and accounts for teens, weʼve got the types of checking accounts you need, plus all the digital banking features you want.

Which Checking Account Checks All Your Boxes?

Online Banking

Manage your money from the palm of your hand. Securely transfer funds, check balances, pay bills, and take care of your finances anywhere. Download the app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Download on the App Store
Get it on Google Play
Simply Free Essential BayLive Interest Advantage Teen Checking
Open Now for Simply Free Find a Location for Essential Open Now for BayLive Open Now for Interest Advantage Find a Location for Teen Checking
Monthly Service Fee
$0 $1.95 $10 or $0 $10 or $0 $0
Earns Interest
No No Yes Yes Yes
Access to 55,000 free ATMs
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
$25 refunded in out-of-network ATM Transactions*
No Yes No Yes Yes
Access to Online Banking
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Send Money with Zelle®
Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Online Bank to Bank Transfers
Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Forward Pay (Get paid up to 2 days early)
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
BayFirst Mobile Banking App
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Online Bill Pay
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Age requirement
No No No No 13-18
Free coin counting
Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Why BayFirst?

At BayFirst, we’re Here for What’s Next®, including your next checking account. For more than 20 years, we’ve helped people in our own backyard reach their long- and short-term financial goals by providing some of the best personal checking accounts available, with features designed for every customer. We promise an easy account opening process, safe and secure banking, and an expert team that is here to help every step of the way.

Personal Checking FAQ

What is a checking account?

A checking account is a type of bank account that allows you to deposit and withdraw money easily. It’s designed for frequent transactions such as paying bills, making purchases, and withdrawing cash.

What is the difference between a checking account and a savings account?

While both checking and savings accounts are offered by banks, they serve different purposes. A checking account is typically used for everyday transactions and often has no limit on the number of withdrawals you can make. A savings account, on the other hand, is designed for saving money over the long term and may have restrictions on withdrawals.

Can I earn interest on a checking account?

Yes, some of our checking accounts do offer interest. However, the interest rates are typically lower than what you would earn with a savings account.

How to open a new checking account?

BayFirst makes it easy to open your checking account online and in person at a banking center near you. You’ll just have to provide your name, date of birth, address, email, phone number, social security number, and additional information to get started. 

What is the best checking account for me?

When it comes to your next personal checking account you’ll want to compare all of the types of checking accounts BayFirst offers. Check out our comparison chart to see the differences.

What are the different types of checking accounts?

Determining the best checking account depends on your financial habits and preferences. At BayFirst, we offer simple and free accounts, interest-bearing accounts, teen accounts, and more, each offering unique features and benefits tailored to specific needs.

Is my money safe in a BayFirst Checking account?

Yes, our savings accounts are FDIC insured up to the maximum allowable limit of $250,000. Open a checking account online today and enjoy the benefits of banking with BayFirst, while having peace of mind knowing that your money is secure.

*Account holders will be reimbursed up to $25.00 per month for fees incurred using out-of-network ATMs. This includes up to $10 per month in foreign ATM fees imposed by BayFirst and up to $15 per month in additional surcharges imposed by the ATM’s bank or owner. Reimbursements will be made automatically at the end of each monthly statement cycle.