
Steps
Part 1
Preparing to Open an Account- Choose a banking institution. Perhaps the most important step in opening an account is deciding which bank to do business with. Compare several banks in your area using criteria that are important to you, such as the branch hours and the availability of ATMs. Generally, large national banks have the advantage of being available even if you travel or move, while small local banks tend to pride themselves on better service.
- You can also open an account with a credit union instead of a bank. Credit unions are like banks, but they are organized as nonprofits and owned by their members (customers). To join a credit union, you will have to meet the membership requirement, which usually means living in a certain geographic area or working for a certain employer.
- Many banks will also allow you to open a bank account online.
- Choose the type of account(s) that you want to open. Bank accounts are offered in 2 basic forms: checking and savings. Checking accounts can be drawn on through a debit card or check, and should be used for everyday spending. Savings accounts, on the other hand, are meant as a place where you park your money for a long period and earn interest as long as you keep it there.
- Each bank is likely to have different rules associated with their checking and savings accounts. For example, some checking accounts are free, while others require an annual fee in exchange for additional benefits. Many savings accounts require a minimum balance.
- Some banks offer interest on checking accounts. Others allow you to write checks on your savings account. Check with your local banks to see what options are available to you.
- You can also open both a checking and a savings account at the same time.
That way, you'll have money that you can use for day-to-day spending in your checking account while still having money in a savings account that's for the proverbial "rainy day."
- Save up enough money to open your account(s). You'll find that some banks have minimum deposit requirements before you open an account. Even if they don't, it makes little sense to open an account with $0. Have some money handy that you'll use as your first deposit when you open your account.
- You can deposit one or more paychecks from your work into your bank account when you open it. You don't have to bring cash.
- Bear in mind that checking and savings accounts will often have different minimum requirements. Be sure you find out the minimum for the type of account you're planning to open.




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