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Updated: Sep 10, 2023

Citibank Access Checking Account 2023 Review

The new CitiBank Access Checking Account has been released complete with checkless banking and no overdrafts. See how it compares online checking accounts.
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Citibank App
Citibank App

Citibank Access Checking Account Fees

Type Fees
Monthly Maintenance Fee $10
Overdraft $34
Deposit Item Returned $10
Stop Payment $30
Wire Transfer: Domestic Outgoing $25
Wire Transfer: Domestic Outgoing online $18.75
ATM and Debit Card Fees: Non Citibank ATM $2.50

The answer will depend on your banking behavior. But, here's a snapshot of Access Account's pros and cons:

Pros: Relatively easy fee waiver options and cannot incur overdraft fees

Cons: Cannot write paper checks and very similar to Citibank's Basic Checking

If you haven’t written a check in the past year, Citibank’s checkless account is a good choice.

I don’t see the no-overdraft aspect of the account as a major differentiator since you can prevent overdrafts by opting out of overdraft services and destroying checkbooks.

The Access Account really tailored to newer customers since it’ll be a hassle for current Citibank checking customers to convert their accounts to the Access Account.

A Citibank representative said that existing Citibank checking customers would have to open the account separately, which means that you’ll receive a new debit card and account number.

Additionally, the account can only be opened by phone or at a Citibank branch, for now.

Compare Checking Account Options
Make sure that you look at other checking accounts that could be better for you:
Checking
Savings
CDs

Look at other options

Other big banks have introduced similar checkless, overdraft-free checking accounts.

Bank of America’s SafeBalance Banking account is an example of a new checking account that doesn’t offer checks and doesn’t charge overdraft fees, but it comes at a cost of a flat $4.95 monthly fee.

But, no matter how major traditional banks try to cater to the new age of consumer banking, they’ll struggle to convince you to stay away from the attractive checking accounts available through online banks.

Ally Bank, for instance, offers one of the most popular online checking accounts. It does provide free unlimited paper checks. Even if you don’t use them often, you can rest assured that they’re there.

As for overdrafts, Ally Bank has $0 overdraft protection transfer fee when you link your checking account to an Ally Bank online savings or money market account. Don’t forget: You can always opt out of overdraft services in the first place!

A 2010 federal legislation requires that banks obtain consent from customers in order process everyday debit card and ATM transactions that would result in overdrafts. Written checks and automatic bill payments may continue to trigger overdraft fees.

Ally’s checking account appears even better when you find out that it has no monthly fees, earns interest, and offers unlimited ATM fee reimbursements.

Capital One 360 and Axos Bankare other online banks with free checking accounts that are filled with perks.

Checking
Savings
CDs

Brokerages and even some prepaid accounts offer many great alternatives to traditional checking, too.

Checking accounts from brokerages, such as Charles Schwab and Fidelity Investments, will also make great contenders for your business.

With Schwab’s High Yield Investor Checking account, you get a free interest-checking account that offers unlimited ATM fee rebates and a free linked Schwab brokerage account.

Fidelity’s Cash Management account also has unlimited ATM fee rebates and no monthly fee -- the great part is that it can be used to take advantage of the one of the best cash back credit cards available.

Some prepaid accounts are able to replace checking accounts entirely.

Bluebird by American Express is a great prepaid account for people who still want checks while the American Express Serve card has extremely low costs and doesn’t have check-writing capabilities or overdrafts.

Sure, Citibank’s new Access Account has the advantage of providing access to in-branch customer service, if you ever need it.

However, these alternatives are excellent options for people who realize that they don’t need a branch to conduct their banking.

Tip: Sign up for an online checking account and use it as your main checking account for a month or two. When you realize that you can live without your traditional checking account, close it.