A checking account is one of the basic services provided by the financial institutions. It allows individuals and businesses to deposit money and withdraw funds from account by check, electronic cards or ATM or transfer. Here the account holder can use checks in place of cash to pay debts.

Almost all banks offer their customers one or another form of a checking account service. Some may require a minimal initial deposit before establishing a new account, along with proof of identification and address; where as a student or other low-income applicant can opt for a no-frills checking account which does not charge fees for the use of personal checks and other services.

Checking account owners are responsible for keeping a regular track of their available funds, even as bank issue their accounting statements periodically. There are some banks that will protect checking account holders by making the proper payments and notifying the check writer that an overdraft has taken place.

There are different types of checking accounts like: basic checking, interest bearing, joint checking, express, lifeline, senior/student checking and money market. These accounts have their own ways of functioning. Basic checking account holder does not need to maintain a high balance where as interest bearing requires a minimum balance to open the account. Coming to the joint checking account it can be owned by two or more people. There are accounts that are designed for low-income consumers, senior citizens also like lifeline, senior checking accounts.

Other than different kinds of checking accounts there are benefits added to these accounts. Following are a note of these benefits. These checks provide a paper trail or written proof that you paid someone. Having these checks it can be put forth as proof for tax purposes and when you are paying a person or company by mail. It is safer than cash, cheaper than money orders, gives a lots of access options and there are no transaction limits.

Thus a checking account can be more than just a place to keep your money; it makes your financial life managing much simpler and easier.