Citi Regular Checking Account 2025 Review

Citi Regular Checking offers unlimited check writing with no overdraft fees or returned item fees. You'll have access to an expansive network of fee-free ATMs and the opportunity to enjoy added benefits through relationship banking.   

Citi Regular Checking is a traditional checking option for people who write lots of checks and want to avoid overdraft fees. This account offers the convenience of online and mobile banking, with the option to manage your money at Citi branches and ATMs. 

You might consider a Citibank account if you: 

• Are interested in keeping your money at a traditional bank
• Tend to write a lot of checks
• Want to keep excess banking fees to a minimum
• Have a Citi savings account or plan to open one

If you're looking for a basic checking account you might consider the Citi Access Checking account. This account is designed to help you avoid overdraft fees by declining transactions that would put your account balance in the negative.

Compared to Other Checking Accounts

Chase Total Checking

Chase Total Checking is the basic checking account option from the national bank with the most branches in the country. The account has a $12 monthly fee, which can be waived with monthly qualifying electronic deposits totaling at least $500, an account balance of $1,500 at the beginning, or a combined average beginning day balance of $5,000 or more in qualifying Chase accounts.

Read our full editorial review of the Chase Total Checking account.

Bank of America Advantage Plus Banking

The Bank of America Advantage Plus Banking is a traditional basic checking account with a monthly fee of $12, which can be waived with a minimum daily balance of $1,500, any qualifying direct deposits of $250, or be a member of the Preferred Rewards program.

Read our full editorial review of the Bank of America Advantage Plus Banking account.

Discover Cashback Debit

Discover Cashback Debit is a rewards checking account with no minimum balance requirements or monthly fees. You can earn a competitive cashback rewards rate on eligible debit card purchases. While there are no branches, you can manage your money through online and mobile banking or at more than 60,000 fee-free ATMs. 

Read our full editorial review of the Discover Cashback Debit account.

American Express Rewards Checking

American Express Rewards Checking has no minimum deposit or minimum balance requirements, and no monthly maintenance fee. You can earn interest on balances and Membership Rewards on eligible debit card purchases, plus you get the benefit of world-class customer support and account monitoring. 

Read our full editorial review of the American Express Rewards Checking account.

Interest and Rewards

Rewards checking accounts pay you back in some way, either with interest on balances, rewards on debit card transactions, or a little of both. 

Citi Regular Checking is not a rewards checking account but it does offer some special perks through Relationship Tiers. 

Relationship Tiers are assigned based on your combined monthly account balance and include benefits like:

• Monthly service fee waivers
• Foreign ATM fee waivers
• Unlimited reimbursements for ATM fees charged by other banks
• Increased debit card purchase and ATM withdrawal limits 
• Increased rates for Citi savings account products
• Fee waivers for money orders and official checks
• Free standard checks
• Discounted rates for Citi lending products
• Access to financial advisors through Citi Personal Wealth Management
• Complimentary financial planning services
• Travel and entertainment benefits
• Foreign exchange fee waivers

The lowest Relationship Tier is Citi Priority. To reach this tier with your Citi Regular Checking account you'll need to maintain an average combined monthly balance of $30,000 or more. 

So, how are the savings account rates? 

If you're just earning the standard rate, then you won't earn much interest. However, you could access promotional rates through Relationship Tiers that are on par with what you'll find at some of the best online banks. 

Fees

Traditional banks make money by charging fees but some banks are more fee-friendly than others. Citi Regular Checking waives certain fees but not all of them. 

Here's what you'll pay for this account.

Other Service Fees - Citi Regular Checking

There is a monthly maintenance fee for the Regular Checking account, which is on the higher side compared to other banks. The fee is waived for the first three months after account opening. 

After that, the fee is waived if you:

• Qualify for a Relationship Tier, OR
• Have $250 or more in Enhanced Direct Deposits each month

Remember, the minimum balance to qualify for the Priority Tier is $30,000. If you don't keep that much in checking or don't have that amount in all your Citi accounts combined, you'll need to set up direct deposit to avoid the fee. 

Branch and ATM Access

Citibank has more than 600 branches and 2,300+ ATMs. You can also manage your accounts at more than 60,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide. 

Branch banking is a nice feature to have if you need to deposit cash, cash a check, or simply have questions about your account and would like them answered in person. You also get the benefit of online and mobile banking to manage your money. 

If you need to use another bank's ATM, Citi charges a $2.50 fee per transaction. This fee is waived when you have $250 or more in Enhanced Direct Deposits per month. 

Citi offers ATM fee reimbursement but only at the higher relationship tiers. If you're looking for greater flexibility with ATM access, then you might consider a bank that offers unlimited ATM fee rebates, regardless of your account balance. 

Account Access

Citi offers multiple ways to deposit funds to your account, including:

• ACH transfers
• Direct deposit
• Domestic and international wire transfers
• Mobile check deposits
• Check deposits at ATMs or branches
• Cash deposits at branches or ATMs

Citi's ATM and debit card transaction limits depend on your Relationship Tier. Once you reach Priority status, you can withdraw up to $2,000 per day; otherwise, the limit is $1,500.

The debit card transaction limit is $5,000 per day, which increases to $10,000 for Priority Tier. 

Citi is a Zelle partner, which means you can log in to your account for convenient money transfers. There's no limit on the number of Zelle transactions you can make through your account. 

FDIC Insurance

Citi is an FDIC-insured bank so your deposits are insured against a bank failure. 

Bank failures don't happen often but when they do, the FDIC helps customers get their money back. Deposits at Citi are insured up to $250,000 per account owner. 

FDIC coverage is important to have, regardless of where you bank. If you choose to open a checking account at a credit union instead, your money is protected by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). The NCUA coverage limit is also $250,000. 

What You Need to Open

If you're ready to open a Citi Regular Checking account you can do so online or at a branch near you. You'll need to complete a new account application and share your:

• Name
• Date of birth
• Government-issued ID number
• Social Security number
• Mailing address
• Email address
• Phone number

You can open a joint Regular Checking account with someone else. You'll just need to fill in the same information listed above for your co-applicant. 

Citi doesn't require a minimum opening deposit for Regular Checking accounts. However, if you don't make a deposit within 90 days of account opening Citi can close the account. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Citi a good place to bank?

Citi is one of the largest, most recognizable banks in the U.S. and has plenty of customers who appreciate its products and services. Whether Citi is the right bank for you depends on your needs and preferences. If you want a bank that offers plenty of variety, has a decent number of branches, and gives you access to thousands of ATMs then Citibank could be a good choice. 

How does Citi checking compare to online bank accounts? 

Citi checking accounts have no opening deposit requirements or overdraft fees and you can unlock premium benefits through Relationship Tiers. You also get the benefit of being able to bank in person at a Citi branch or ATM. Online bank accounts usually don't offer branch access, but they may charge no monthly fees and have no minimum balance requirements. 

Who can open a Citi Regular Checking account?  

You can open a Citi Regular Checking account if you're 18 or older, are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, and can provide proof of a valid U.S. address. Minors can't open a Citibank account without the help of a parent or an adult legal guardian. Citi reserves the right to deny applications to people who have had a Citibank account in the previous 365 days.