First Citizens Bank Free Checking Account

Easy-to-manage checking account with no monthly fees if you go paperless!

First Citizens Bank
APPLY NOW

securely on the bank's website

The First Citizens Free Checking is a solid checking account solution that comes with a free Visa you can use anywhere Visa is accepted, free digital banking and money management tools, as well as different overdraft protection levels, for those interest in additional overdraft protection services. For example, you can link your First Citizens Free Checking to a Checkline Reserve line of credit, in which case a reduced overdraft fee would apply ($12 vs. $36).

With First Citizens Digital Banking, you'll be able to move funds between your internal bank accounts or transfer money to anyone with a U.S. bank account using Zelle. You can also pay bills, and everything else using Online Bill Pay, set up recurring payments, and more. Besides, you can also link your First Citizens Visa debit card to a digital wallet, and benefit from quick and secure payments that don't require a physical card. 

You can also use Manage My Money to visualize your spending trends over time, and manage all your bank accounts in one place. 

With the First Citizens Mobile app, you can also deposit checks, pay bills, and even earn rewards if you get a First Citizens Visa credit card!

If you enroll in text alerts, you'll receive notifications of your current balance, transaction updates, or when overdraft protection is used. With card freezes, security alerts, and advanced security features, you can rest assured your account is protected, as long as you access it using a secure network, and don't disclose your bank information to anyone.

Overall, the First Citizens Bank Free Checking is just like any regular checking account - equipped with all you need for daily banking, without being particularly beneficial by any other means. It offers no cashback rewards, and it doesn't pay interest. However, unlike most bank accounts that require you to meet a certain minimum balance requirement to have monthly fee waived, the First Citizens Free Checking only requires you to go paperless. If you don't, however, sign up for eStatements, your Free Checking will be turned into a Select Checking, with all the related fees included.

 

Checking account details

Checking account fees

  • Monthly Fee
    $0*
  • APY
    0.00%
  • Minimum Deposit to Open
    $50
  • Out-of-Network ATM Transaction Fee
    $0
  • Out-of-Network ATM Withdrawal Fee
    $0
  • Overdraft Fee
    $36
  • Non-Sufficient Funds Fee
    $36
  • Foreign Transaction Fee
    3%

First Citizens Bank Free Checking Account FAQ

1. Who can open a First Citizens Bank Free Checking Account?

Only U.S. citizens or U.S. resident aliens aged 18+ and residing within a region First Citizens Bank serves can open a Free Checking account with First Citizens Bank.

 

2. Which regions does First Citizens Bank serve?

First Citizens Bank is present in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, Mexico, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

3. What happens if I don't go paperless?

To be able to open a First Citizens Bank Free Checking, you must sign up to receive your First Citizens monthly statements electronically. If you don't go paperless within 60 days of account opening, your Free Checking will automatically convert to a Select Checking, and will subject to its respective fees and charges.

4. How does the Manage My Money tool work?

The First Citizens Bank Manage My Money is a digital banking tool allowing you to keep your First Citizens bank accounts, as well as those bank accounts you may have with other banks or financial institutions in one place. Thanks to this tool, you'll be able to better monitor all your bank accounts, see your net worth and debt, link accounts, assets, and more. You can track progress, net worth changes, and spending behavior over time. With the help of interesting, colorful charts, you'll see your spending broken down in categories for a better overview, and analysis. You'll also be able to see the history of your spending patterns, and follow trends, which will serve you to make smarter financial decisions, goals, and moves. Lastly, your debt-related information will be fully integrated, so you can stay on top of payment due dates, interest rates, balances, and more!

5. Where can I download the First Citizens Mobile App?

You can find the First Citizens Mobile App on the App store or Google Play.

6. Is there a charge for using non-First Citizens ATMs?

No, First Citizens Bank won't charge you any fees when making cash withdrawals, fund transfers or balance inquiries at out-of-network ATMs within the United States. However, any such transaction performed outside the U.S. will trigger a $5 fee. There's also a 3% foreign transaction fee as well, for transactions in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.

7. Where can I find First Citizens Bank branches and ATMs?

First Citizens Bank is present in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Maryland, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

You can find First Citizens branches and ATMs using their online locator.

8. How much will First Citizens Bank let me overdraft?

If you don't have enough money in your First Citizens Free Checking account to cover a transaction, you will be charged a $36 overdraft fee per each failed transaction, up to 4 such fees per day (up to $144). Overdraft and NSF fees apply to returned checks, in-person and ATM withdrawals, and any kind of electronic payments, but not if a transaction is $5 or less.

9. Where can I find First Citizens routing number?

First Citizens routing numbers may vary, depending on your location. You can find your First Citizens routing number at https://www.firstcitizens.com/support/routing-numbers.

If using personal checks, you can also find your routing number at the bottom left corner thereof.

10. Is the First Citizens Free Checking FDIC-insured?

Yes, the First Citizens Free Checking account is FDIC-insured, meaning your deposits are insured on up to $250,000 if the bank fails.

7 Best Checking Accounts for 2023

Check Out Other Products From First Citizens Bank
Bank Monthly Service Charge Minimum Deposit to Open APY
First Citizens Bank Free Checking Account $0* $50 0.00%
First Citizens Bank Premier Checking Account $18 (can be waived) $100 0.01%
First Citizens Bank Prestige Checking Account $25 (can be waived) $100 0.01%
These Checking accounts might also interest you
Bank Monthly Service Charge Minimum Deposit to Open APY
Comerica Bank Rich Rewards® Checking Account $18 (can be waived / reduced) $50 0.01%
Comerica Bank Premier Checking Account $22 $50 0.01%
Comerica Bank Comerica Platinum Circle Checking® $0 $50 0.10% / 0.25%