A checking account pretty much offers you all the services you need under one umbrella. Right from direct deposit to bank withdrawals to issuing checks; there is plenty you can do with this type of account. However, basics aside, there is so much more to know about a bank feature so you can use it to its full potential. Since a checking account involves your money; it is always better to know extra tips for optimizing a checking account. Here are some simple ones that you can follow:

Look around before you finalize
In today’s digital age, everybody can easily be an informed customer. Consumers have a lot of ways to find out vital information on checking accounts and all that they have to offer. Trusted finance and investment websites are an excellent place to begin. Most banking institutes have a strong customer support team, and bankers are sitting in different branch locations too, allowing you to ask them for help and support easily.

So, one right way to compare the services is to figure out the monthly service charges, opening balance requirements as well as your vicinity to the ATM networks. Also, ask about the services that are free of cost and the ones that incur any fees at all. This way, it is easier for you to chart out a comparison. The best way to begin your optimization is to start with the process in the right manner.

Ask about relationship banking
A premium checking account offers add on services to specific customers. Basically, if you are a consumer with complex financial needs, then it is worth looking up relationship banking. This concept works on a profit for-profit system wherein, a customer who’s driving great business is offered services like a discounted rate on a line of credit or a home loan, higher interest rates for a savings account, or deposit certificates amongst other available options. In such cases, even customers who maintain a balance higher than usual are able to get better rewards in comparison to their contemporaries.

Know the basics that your bank offers
Since the banking world has evolved so much, we often overlook the basics. A checking account service consists of three buckets. One is ‘money in,’ second is ‘money out,’ and the third is pertaining to ‘money management’. A great way to start optimizing what you have is by ensuring that you know what all these three buckets consist of.

• Money in:
  Paper check deposits, mobile check deposits, and even direct deposits come under this category
• Money out:
  Debit card swipes, ATM withdrawals, paper check payments, and person-to-person payments are a part of the money that goes out of the bank.
• Money management:
  Online alerts, budgeting features, text alerts, online payments.

Additionally, you can also look into the security measures to ensure that you stay protected. We recommend keeping your bank’s customer care number handy so that whenever you are stuck with something; you can directly call them up and get your issue sorted. You can then easily use the aforementioned tips for optimizing a checking account for a better banking experience.