The Simple Shared Checking Account is unlike other joint checking accounts because with Simple Shared, you still get to keep your own individual checking account, but with shared spending, savings, and features, such as Safe-to-Spend and Goals.
With 1 joint and 2 individual accounts, you and your partner, friend, sibling or whoever can work toward the same financial goals, while still keeping your own "financial privacy", but transparency as well. You can easily see who spent what, where, and when, and this includes all payments, check deposits, and transfers.
The two Shared Simple Visa debit cards, 1 for you, and the other for your partner, are designed so that you can distinguish your Shared Simple Visa from the Visa linked to your individual Simple Checking.
To sum up, the Simple Shared works just like an individual Simple Checking: you can view and search transactions, set spending goals, keep an eye on your expenses and spending trends through visuals, etc.
Checking account details
- 2 Simple Visa® Debit cards.
- Checks and Mobile Check Deposits.
- Digital Wallet with Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Apple Pay.
- External account linking.
- Simple Instant funds transfer.
- Third-party payment services like Square, Venmo, Mint, and PayPal.
- Simple budgeting features.
- Online Customer Support.
Checking account fees
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Monthly Fee$0
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APY0.01% / 1.10%
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Minimum Deposit to Open$0
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Out-of-Network ATM Transaction Fee$0
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Out-of-Network ATM Withdrawal Fee$0
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Overdraft Fee$0
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Non-Sufficient Funds Fee$0
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Foreign Transaction Fee0%
Simple Shared Checking Account FAQ
Yes, both you and your partner should already have individual Simple Checking Accounts to be able to open a Simple Shared Checking as Simple Shared Checking Account connects each partner’s individual Simple account. But, don't worry: the person whom you're sharing a checking account with won't be able to use or monitor your own Simple Checking - you'll get to keep your individual checking separate.
This is done quickly and easily through the Simple app:
- From your account settings, choose "Start a Shared account".
- You'll get to read a few things on Simple Shared accounts, before being prompted to enter your partner's email and phone number.
- If your partner is a Simple customer already, they'll instantly get an invite to open the Shared account. If not, they will have to apply for a Simple account first.
- You'll both receive your own Simple Shared Visa debit cards, which you'll need to activate.
That's it!
Since both of you own the account, both of you are held responsible for any negative balance on your Shared Account or in case the account is closed due to negative balance or even fraud.
However, Simple can pull funds from either your or your partner's individual accounts to offset a negative balance in your Shared Account, regardless of which one of you caused the account negative.
Finally, if some of you is pursued in court, the entire balance can be frozen and given to the creditor, once again, no matter which one of you owes the money.
This is why it's so important that you trust your partner, and think well before deciding to open a shared account with someone. Being a co-owner of a shared account means you both share the same responsibility through the account, even if only one of you is the problematic one.
Yes, you can! While almost everything else with Simple Shared Checking is provided free of charge, check orders do come with a $5 fee per order to cover the cost of materials and shipping.
You can order paper checks from your account, within the Simple app. Hover your mouse over your name in the upper right corner, and select "Paper Checks", confirm your current name and address, and click the "Order Checks" button.
A book of 25 paper checks should arrive to your individual account address via USPS mail within 5 to 7 business day.
Simple offers several budgeting tools that help you better manage your expenses, and set savings plans:
- Expenses: a bill tracker, only requiring you to enter your monthly bills and living expenses, and the tool will automatically set aside money for you, giving you a peace of mind, and the freedom to spend knowing your most important expenses are covered.
- Safe-to-Spend®: a smart built-in budgeting tool that does the math for you by substracting recurring bills and financial goals from your available balance, so you know how much you've left to spend on whatever your heart desires.
- Goals: the feature that allows you to set and reach financial goals, such as buying a bike or saving for a trip. Simply name the goal, choose the amount you'd like to save, and how often you'd like to put money aside, and the date by which you'd like to have the goal reached. That's all.
You can use Simple's ATM Finder to locate ATMs in your area.
You can reach Simple Customer Support by calling them at 888-248-0632. Their phone lines are open from 6 am to 4 pm PT (9 am to 7 pm ET) on business days, and from 7 am to 2 pm PT (10 am to 5 pm ET) on Saturdays. If you're abroad, dial +1 (424) 652-5294.
You can also message them or reach them on Twitter or Facebook.
Yes, your money is FDIC-insured, up to $250,000, thanks to Simple's partnership with BBVA USA.
Yes, your Shared Account number will differ from your individual Simple Checking Account number.
To find your Shared Account number, hover over your name in the upper right corner of the webpage, and select "Account Numbers". Your Shared Account Number, including your Shared Protected Goal Account number, if you have a Protected Goal, will be there.
With a Shared Account number, you and your partner will be able to set up direct deposits or make deposits by mail, in case you need to fund your account. You'll also need your Shared Account number to be able to use third party payment services, receive a wire transfer, or make payments via auto debit. Y
Yes, you can use your Shared Visa anywhere Visa is accepted, with a few exceptions. Due to higher risks or government restrictions, you won't be able to use your card in the following countries:
- Belarus
- Cuba
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Iran
- Iraq
- North Korea
- Sudan
- Syria
- Zimbabwe.
Your card won't work in the following countries, either, but, if you submit a notice to the Simple team, they might lift the block:
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Angola
- Bolivia
- Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Brunei Darussalam
- Congo
- Côte D'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
- Croatia
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Liberia
- Libyan Arab Jamhiriya
- Macedonia
- Moldova
- Myanmar (Burma)
- Namibia
- Nigeria
- Slovenia
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Tajikistan
- Ukraine
- Yemen.
7 Best Checking Accounts for 2023
Featured Checking Accounts
Bank | Monthly Service Charge | Minimum Deposit to Open | APY |
---|---|---|---|
Simple Online Checking Account | $0 | $0 | 0.01% / 1.10% |
Simple Shared Checking Account | $0 | $0 | 0.01% / 1.10% |
Simple High-Yield Checking Account | $0 | $0 | 1.00% |
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% |