Best Checking
Compare and choose from the best checking accounts!
Our accounts are free to open and come with powerful, innovative financial tools. Whether you’re looking for an account with no monthly maintenance fees, one that earns interest, or a premium account that unlocks interest rate bonuses with large balances, we have a checking account attentively designed to help you prosper.
☆ POPULAR
First Merchants Advantage Checking
Earn interest and enjoy special benefits with this popular primary checking account.
Open Now Open AccountBASIC
First Merchants Carefree Checking
Enjoy a simple, easy account that includes all of our free features—it’s free for students!
Open Now Open AccountPREMIUM
First Merchants Elite Checking
Get our highest checking interest rate and extra special benefits to make the most of a large balance.
No fee with:
One $500 direct deposit2 per month
OR
15 debit card transactions per month3
OR
Maintain at least $1,500 in minimum combined personal deposit balances,
OR
You are a Senior (62 and over)1
No fee with:
One customer-initiated transaction4 per month
OR
Maintain at least $100 in minimum combined personal deposit balances
OR
You are a student under age 25.1
No fee with:
$15,000 in minimum combined personal deposit balances.
• Seniors receive Free Specialty Checks and Paper Statements1
• Free Specialty Checks and Paper Statements
• No annual fee on a new Home Equity Line of Credit7
First Merchants Simple Access Checking
Build a banking history with no risk of overdrafts and basic features. Bank On-certified since 2022.
Open Now Open AccountFirst Merchants First Direct Checking
Get premium benefits for employees of Workplace Banking partners, first responders, members of the military, healthcare professionals, and educators.
Open Now Open AccountNo fee with:
One $200 direct deposit2 per month
• CD interest rate bonus6
• No annual fee on new Home Equity Line of Credit7
• Two Overdraft fees will be waived per rolling 12 month calendar period
Benefits of Banking with a Best Bank
It’s easy to switch
Use automated tools to switch your direct deposit and update your preferred payment method for dozens of online services like Netflix, Amazon and iTunes10.
Check Rates and Open an Account Online in Minutes.
1Students under age 25 can receive Free paper statements, and no monthly maintenance fee with a First Merchants Carefree Checking Account. At age 25, must meet account requirements to avoid monthly maintenance fee. Seniors 62 and over can receive Free paper statements, Free specialty checks and no monthly maintenance fee with a First Merchants Advantage Checking account.
2Multiple deposits of less than required amount will not qualify to waive the monthly maintenance fee.
3Debit Card transaction includes point of sale transaction, signature based transaction, or ATM withdrawal.
4Excludes bank service fees and charges, transactions must post during statement cycle
5No overdraft fees if you’re overdrawn by $50 or less at the end of the business day and no daily fee until day 5. Overdraft Helper™ does not require enrollment and comes with most First Merchants Personal Checking accounts. It does not apply if an account is set up for overdraft protection transfers from another account or for Simple Access accounts, which do not permit overdrafts
6CD bonuses cannot be combined with other promotional offers.
7Subject to credit approval.
8Certain restrictions, terms, and conditions apply.
9Certain restrictions apply. Please see www.mastercard.us/zero-liability for more details. MasterCard® benefits are offered through MasterCard® card services. Please call 1-800-MASTERCARD for assistance. MasterCard® Enhanced Benefits are provided by MasterCard® to First Merchants Personal MasterCard® debit card holders at no additional cost.
10None of the listed companies are associated with, sponsor, or endorse this product.
Other service fee may apply. Please see our Banking Fees.
