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Citi

Citi Checking

Simplified checking where the relationship tier matters more than the account

6.5
Our Rating
APY
None at base; relationship tiers earn promotional rates on linked savings instead
Monthly Fee
$15 (Regular Checking), waived with $250+ in enhanced direct deposits
Minimum to Open
None
ATM Access
65,000+ fee-free ATMs via Citi and partner networks; $2.50 non-network fee waived with $250 EDD or any tier

Insurance: FDIC insured up to $250,000 per depositor (Citibank, N.A.)

Live Bonus

This account currently pays a $300 opening bonus: $300 with $3,000 in enhanced direct deposits; smaller tier at $1,500. See the full requirements.

Plan Options

Regular Checking

$15, waived with $250+ per month in enhanced direct deposits (payroll, ACH, Zelle, Venmo/PayPal via ACH) or any relationship tier

  • ▸Citi's single standard checking account after its 2022+ simplification
  • ▸Enhanced direct deposit definition is unusually loose, ACH transfers count
  • ▸Home of Citi's recurring $300+ checking bonuses

Access Checking

$5, waived with $250+ enhanced direct deposits or owner age 23 or younger (effective July 2026)

  • ▸Checkless account with no overdraft possible
  • ▸Same loose deposit waiver as Regular Checking

Citi Priority (tier)

$0 service fees with $30,000-$199,999 combined average balances

  • ▸All checking/savings service fees and non-Citi ATM fees waived
  • ▸Citi Priority travel and banking perks plus dedicated phone support

Citigold (tier)

$0 service fees with $200,000+ combined balances ($180,000 to maintain)

  • ▸Unlimited worldwide ATM fee rebates and no wire fees
  • ▸Up to $200/year in subscription rebates and dedicated relationship banker
  • ▸Wealth advisory through Citi Personal Wealth Management

Citigold Private Client (tier)

$0 service fees with $1,000,000+ combined balances

  • ▸Everything in Citigold plus higher limits and private-client pricing
  • ▸Dedicated team and invitations to Citi events

Features

  • ▸One simplified checking chassis; benefits scale by relationship tier, not account type
  • ▸Enhanced Direct Deposit counts ACH transfers and P2P payments, the easiest waiver definition among big banks
  • ▸65,000+ fee-free ATMs including partner networks at retail locations
  • ▸Roughly 650 branches, heavily concentrated in NYC, Chicago, Miami, SF, LA, and DC
  • ▸Frequent and historically churnable checking bonuses
  • ▸Citigold tier perks (ATM rebates worldwide, subscription credits) are genuinely strong

Pros

  • +Loosest fee-waiver definition in the industry, a $250 ACH push waives it
  • +Citigold is arguably the best premium banking tier of any US megabank
  • +Big fee-free ATM network despite the thin branch count
  • +Reliable bonus offers

Cons

  • −Branch coverage is poor outside the six big metros
  • −No interest on checking at any level
  • −Tier benefits below $30k are nonexistent
  • −Customer service reputation is mixed outside Citigold

Our Take

Citi checking is two different products wearing one badge. Below $30k it's a perfectly fine free account, the $250 enhanced-direct-deposit waiver is the easiest in the industry, and the bonuses keep coming. At $200k+ Citigold becomes one of the best premium banking deals anywhere, with worldwide ATM rebates and real subscription credits. If you don't live near a Citi branch and aren't chasing a tier, there are better hubs.

Best for: Big-metro residents and anyone with $200k+ who wants Citigold perks

Open at Citi →

Last verified 2026-06-11

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