For ZIP  

Build a smarter foundation with Bank Smartly Checking

Person standing outside in the city holding smartphone
Callout from the mobile app showing checking transactions with the monthly maintenance fee waived

Start with $0 Monthly Maintenance Fee 1

$12 Monthly Maintenance Fee 1 automatically waived for the first two months when you open a Bank Smartly Checking account.

After that, most people continue to pay $0 by meeting just one of the following requirements:

  • $1,500 minimum account balance 2
  • Monthly direct deposits totaling $1,500+
  • Account owner age 13-24 or 65 and over, military personnel or qualify for one of our customer groups
Additional ways to waive fees below

Secure, reliable access to your money anytime, anywhere.

4,000+ no-fee U.S. Bank ATMs 78

Zero fraud liability 10

Zelle® to send or receive money fast 9

FDIC insured funds 11

Group of adults dining at an outdoor restaurant
Callouts of Smart Rewards benefits

Extra perks from your first deposit with Smart Rewards

You're automatically enrolled in our tiered rewards program with Bank Smartly® Checking —cash-back deals 12, fee waivers, relationship rates and more perks that multiply as your balances grow.

Learn more about rewards

Mobile app view of plan and track showing net worth

One location to easily manage all your accounts

Get financial clarity—track spending, monitor spending, set alerts, and avoid surprises with the U.S. Bank Mobile App.

Maximize your money
by bundling Smartly.

Open a Bank Smartly® Checking and Bank Smartly® Savings account together to turn every dollar into a step forward. Apply for both in under 5 minutes with just $25.

Open checking + savings together Learn about Bank Smartly Savings

Higher yields

Unlock higher interest rates 13 on your Bank Smartly® Savings.

Save on fees

Waive your Bank Smartly® Savings $5 Monthly Maintenance Fee. 14

Added benefits

Perks grow as your balances grow including bank discounts, cash-back offers and more.

Child and adult at home baking in the kitchen
Photo of the Greenlight debit card

Smart money habits start early

With Bank Smartly® Checking, the Greenlight15 account for kids is complimentary—a $69 annual value. They learn money smarts with their own debit card, while parents stay in control.

Learn about Greenlight
 

Flexible everyday checking with built-in safeguards

What you need to waive the Monthly Maintenance Fee

For newly opened U.S. Bank Smartly Checking accounts, the $12 Monthly Maintenance Fee is waived for the first two statement periods. Extend waivers with any one of the following:

Average account balance is $1,500 or greater 2

Combined monthly direct deposits total $1,500+

Own or open a U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® Credit Card 3

Smart Rewards® Gold Tier, Platinum Tier and Platinum Plus Tier

Member of the following eligible customer groups:

  • Age 13-24
  • Age 65 and over
  • Member of the military
  • Workplace-Financial Wellness Program
  • U.S. Bank Global Transition Solutions

Own or open an eligible U.S. Bank Small Business Checking account 4

How to avoid overdraft fees

Overdraft Protection - Enroll and link to another U.S. Bank account to pull funds if you go over with no Overdraft Protection Transfer Fees.5

U.S. Bank Overdraft Fee Forgiven program - Waive the fee when you make a qualifying deposit(s).6 And if eligible, you'll get extra time to bring your account positive without incurring an Overdraft Paid Fee.

Enroll in account alerts such as low balance alerts, Overdraft protection, deposits posted and more to keep you more in control.

How to open a Bank Smartly Checking account.

Apply online in under five minutes with a minimum opening deposit of $25 to activate your account (once you've been approved). Your initial deposit can be made using a credit or debit card, a transfer from another account at U.S. Bank or a transfer from another financial institution.

Switch your direct deposit in minutes with our do-it-yourself automated setup.

You can also visit any U.S. Bank branch to open a checking account. Personal details such as a valid government ID are required, but you can call a U.S. Bank representative at 855-605-1871 to confirm.

Open an account

Common questions about checking accounts


Account benefits and basics

U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking is a strong option for those who want an interest-earning1617 checking account with robust digital banking tools, valuable Smart Rewards® benefits, and flexibility. The account offers multiple ways to waive the monthly maintenance fee and opportunities to earn more through relationship-based rewards, making it a smart choice for everyday banking.

Not all checking accounts earn interest, but some do. The U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking Account is an interest-bearing checking account with tiered interest rates based on your daily balance.2 View our current checking account interest rates.

Interest rates on checking accounts are typically very low across the industry, as these accounts are designed for everyday spending and easy access to your money rather than long-term savings.

For example, the FDIC national average for interest-bearing checking accounts has remained near zero for several years.

While interest earnings may be minimal, checking accounts provide important benefits like secure access to your funds and FDIC insurance up to $250,000 per depositor, per insured bank, for each account ownership category.11

An interest-bearing checking account can be a good option if you want to earn a small return while keeping your money readily available for daily use. If you're looking to earn more on your balance, you may also consider pairing a checking account with a savings account which can help you manage everyday spending while setting money aside for savings goals.

For seniors, we recommend our Bank Smartly Checking account. As a member of one of our customer groups, Seniors (age 65 and over) are automatically eligible for additional services and bank rewards tailored to meet their needs.

Opening your account

The minimum deposit to open an account is $25.

Yes. Simply select the Joint option when applying online. At the end of the application, you'll be able to select Yes to add a co-applicant and provide their name, email and phone number. If applying in a branch, all joint owners must be present.

U.S. Bank makes it easy to open a checking account for teens and young adults, with options designed for different ages and levels of independence.

Learn about teen checking (ages 13-17) Learn about checking for young adults and students (ages 18-24)

Everyday access and features

Average daily balance is calculated by adding your ending balance for each day in the statement period and dividing by the number of days in that period.

Yes. Request a U.S. Bank Visa® Debit Card at account opening or after account setup. Once you've signed up for digital banking, you can access your digital debit card as you wait for your physical card to arrive in the mail. Be sure to activate your physical card upon receipt.

Yes. Our U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking Account gives you the option to use your account with or without checks. If you prefer a checking account with checks, you may place a check order when you open your account. Your initial order will have a 50% discount. Seniors 65 and over and Military can also receive 50% off reorders.18

Yes. Bank Smartly® Checking offers multiple ways to waive overdraft fees.

With overdraft protection,5 you can link eligible accounts so that funds are transferred to your checking account if a check, debit card or ATM transaction exceeds the Available Balance in your account.

Our Overdraft Fee Forgiven6 program is your backup plan when your available balance is overdrawn $50.01 or more. Get your Overdraft Paid fee waived when you make a qualifying deposit(s) to bring your Available Balance to at least $0 before 11 p.m. ET on the day you are charged the fee.

You can set up overdraft protection by linking an eligible U.S. Bank deposit account or line of credit so funds can automatically transfer if your checking balance is exceeded. Set transfer preferences in the U.S. Bank Mobile app or through online banking following these steps:

  1. Log in to the U.S. Bank mobile app or online banking.
  2. Go to overdraft protection settings.
  3. Select and link the preferred account to use.
  4. Confirm your selection.

Let’s connect

Explore locations

Find the U.S. Bank branch nearest you.

Log in to your account(s)

Manage your banking needs on the go, anytime, anywhere.

Call 800-872-2657

Call us and a representative will be happy to help you.

Make an appointment

Schedule a virtual or in-person meeting with a business banker.

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Disclosures

  1. Bank Smartly Checking account Monthly Maintenance Fee: For newly opened U.S. Bank Smartly Checking accounts, the Monthly Maintenance Fee is waived for the first 2 statement periods from the account open date. Members of the military (requires self-disclosure), Workplace-Financial Wellness Program, U.S. Bank Global Transition Solutions, clients age 13-24 or clients 65 and over, pay no monthly maintenance fee. State Farm Alliance customers can waive the monthly maintenance fee as an owner of an eligible personal State Farm credit card. All others can have it waived by meeting any one of the following criteria: Have combined monthly direct deposits totaling $1,500 or more; or keep a minimum average account balance of $1,500 or more; or owner on a U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® Card; or owner of an eligible U.S. Bank small business checking account; or qualify for one of the three Smart Rewards® tiers (Gold Tier, Platinum Tier or Platinum Plus Tier).

    The average account balance is calculated by adding the balance at the end of each calendar day in the statement period and dividing that sum by the total number of calendar days within the statement period. Other fees may apply.

    Please refer to the Consumer Pricing Information (PDF) disclosure for more details.

  2. The average account balance is calculated by adding the balance at the end of each calendar day in the statement period and dividing that sum by the total number of calendar days within the statement period.

  3. The Bank Smartly® Checking Account Monthly Maintenance Fee will be waived if the account holder also has a qualifying credit card account. Qualifying credit card accounts include the U.S. Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® Card and personal State Farm credit cards for Alliance customers. Cards must be open and in good standing (not past due or overlimit) and you are the account owner. If a qualifying credit card is closed at any time, you will no longer be eligible for the monthly maintenance fee waiver associated with this card. No limitation on the number of U.S. Bank Smartly Checking accounts that can receive this benefit.

  4. Eligible small business checking accounts include business Silver, Gold, Platinum, Premium, Non-Profit Checking accounts and U.S. Bank Business Essentials® Checking. The Monthly Maintenance Fee waiver is applicable when an account owner maintains an eligible small business checking account, open and in good standing (not in the process of closing).

  5. Overdraft Protection Transfer Fees are waived on U.S. Bank Smartly Checking accounts. If you have linked eligible accounts, and the negative Available Balance in your checking account is $5.01 or more, the advance amount will transfer in multiples of $50. If, however, the negative Available Balance is $5 or less, the amount advanced will be $5. The Overdraft Protection Transfer Fee is waived if the negative Available Balance in your checking account is $50 or less. Please note, if you have Overdraft Protection and your account becomes overdrawn, Overdraft Protection funds will be accessed before the account is eligible for Overdraft Fee Forgiven. No Overdraft Protection Transfer Fee(s) will be charged for transfers from linked deposit accounts.

    Refer to Your Deposit Account Agreement (PDF), section titled Overdraft Protection Plans, for additional information.

  6. U.S. Bank Overdraft Fee Forgiven Program - Consumer checking accounts (excluding Safe Debit accounts) assessed an Overdraft Paid Fee may qualify for a fee waiver. The Overdraft Fee Forgiven period starts the first business day your Available Balance becomes negative and you were charged an Overdraft Paid Fee(s). U.S. Bank will review your account at the end of the Overdraft Fee Forgiven period (11 p.m. ET) and if your Available Balance (excluding the Overdraft Paid Fees and including immediate and same day deposits), is at least $0 we will waive Overdraft Paid Fee(s) charged. Deposits that generally will qualify for Overdraft Fee Forgiven include: ACH and electronic deposits, cash deposits, wire transfers, ATM deposits at U.S. Bank ATMs, check deposits in branch and internal transfers from another U.S. Bank account. Deposits that generally will not qualify for Overdraft Fee Forgiven include: Mobile check deposit, extended hold placed on a deposit and deposits into new accounts opened less than 30 days where funds are generally made available the fifth business day after the day of your deposit. Refer to the Determining the Availability of a Deposit – All Accounts section of Your Deposit Account Agreement (PDF) for full funds availability details.

  7. ATM Transaction Fee. U.S. Bank will assess this fee for each ATM Transaction conducted at the Non-U.S. Bank ATM. This means that you may be charged more than one ATM Transaction fee at a Non-U.S. Bank ATM during a single ATM session. Non-U.S. Bank ATMs are defined as any ATM that does not display the U.S. Bank logo in any manner, physically on the ATM or digitally on the  screen.

    ATM Surcharge. Non-U.S. Bank ATM owners may apply a surcharge fee on ATM transactions at their ATMs. U.S. Bank participates in MoneyPass®, an ATM surcharge free network. To find MoneyPass ATM locations, select “visit the MoneyPass locator” at the bottom of our ATM locator search results to be taken to the MoneyPass website. If you use an ATM that uses the MoneyPass® Network and are charged a surcharge fee, please call us at 800-USBANKS (872-2657) for a refund of the surcharge fee. However, a Non-U.S. Bank ATM Transaction Fee may be assessed on transactions at a MoneyPass ATM.

    Please refer to the Consumer Pricing Information (PDF) disclosure section titled Miscellaneous Checking, Savings or Money Market Fees for a summary of ATM transaction fees.

  8. When changing checking account types, corresponding Non-U.S. Bank ATM transaction fee waivers will become available on the first day of the next statement cycle. ATM transaction fee waivers are only applicable for your U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking accounts.

  9. To send and receive money in minutes with Zelle®, both parties must have an eligible checking or savings account, and have a United States mobile number registered in your online and mobile banking profile for at least three calendar days. Transactions between enrolled customers typically occur in minutes.  

  10. Zero fraud liability – U.S. Bank provides zero fraud liability for unauthorized transactions. Cardholder must notify U.S. Bank promptly of any unauthorized use. Certain conditions and limitations may apply. See the Electronic Fund Transfers section in Your Deposit Account Agreement (PDF) for details.

  11. FDIC insured to the maximum allowed by law.

  12. Cash-back deals are currently available for personal debit and credit cards only. Business debit and credit cards are not eligible at this time.

  13. The interest rates and Annual Percentage Yields (APYs) for the Bank Smartly® Savings account are variable, determined at the bank’s discretion, and can change at any time, including after the account is opened. For additional details about the U.S. Bank Smartly Savings Interest Rate Bump, see the U.S. Bank Smartly Savings Rate Sheet.

  14. Bank Smartly Savings account Monthly Maintenance Fee: The $5 monthly maintenance fee is waived when you are an owner of a Bank Smartly® Checking, Safe Debit account, Bank Smartly™ Visa Signature® Card, or for accounts with a minor under the age of 18.

  15. U.S. Bank customers are eligible to receive the Greenlight Select plan complimentary when an eligible U.S. Bank checking account (excludes Safe Debit and Electronic Transfer accounts) is added as a funding source. You are required to be an authorized transactor on the U.S. Bank account, be at least 18 years of age, and be enrolled in online banking. Your U.S. Bank checking account(s) must be the preferred funding source for your Greenlight account for the entirety of the partnership. If your U.S. Bank checking account(s) cease to be the preferred funding source for your Greenlight account or you add a funding source that is not an eligible U.S. Bank checking account, you may be charged a monthly fee by Greenlight. In-app upgrades will result in additional fees. Subject to Greenlight identity verification. See greenlight.com/terms for additional information. Offer subject to change. Greenlight is a financial technology company, not a bank. The Greenlight app facilitates banking services through Community Federal Savings Bank (CFSB), Member FDIC. The Greenlight Mastercard is issued by Community Federal Savings Bank, Member FDIC, pursuant to license by Mastercard International.

  16. Variable rate account – The interest rates and Annual Percentage Yields (APYs) are variable, determined at the bank’s discretion and can change at any time, including after the account is opened. Speak to a banker for current deposit rates, disclosures on rates, compounding and crediting, and other balance information.

  17. A rate of 0.001% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) applies to accounts with balances between $0–$24,999.99. A rate of 0.005% APY applies to accounts with balances of $25,000.00 or more. U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking is a tiered-rate account. Advertised rates are variable and effective as of 11/24/2025. Rates in any tier are subject to change at any time before or after account opening. A minimum of $25 is required to open a U.S. Bank Smartly® Checking account. Fees could reduce earnings on the account.

  18. When changing existing checking options or customer group, check order discounts may not be immediately available, but will generally be available within five business days. Additional shipping fees may apply if expedited or shipped outside the continental United States.

Start of disclosure content

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

The creditor and issuer of this card is U.S. Bank National Association, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc., and the card is available to United States residents only. Member FDIC.

Deposit products are offered by U.S. Bank National Association. Member FDIC.