Personal Checking Accounts

A checking account that puts you in control

Personal checking accounts to meet your needs

A checking account is the first step toward a versatile financial plan. We offer a range of personal checking options, and maintaining an account has never been easier thanks to our user-friendly digital tools.

Free

Make life easy with our simplest personal checking account.

  • Monthly fee of $0 when you enroll in paperless statementsD
  • Minimum opening deposit of $50
  • Manage your checking account anywhere with any device
Open a Free checking account now , Opens in a new tab
Learn more about free checking accounts

Premier

Get an upgrade with the personal checking account that pays you interest.

  • Monthly fee of $0 if you meet just one of our qualifiers,D otherwise $18
  • Minimum opening deposit of $100
  • Enjoy preferred ratesD on EquityLines and CDs
Open a Premier checking account now , Opens in a new tab
Learn more about a Premier checking account

Prestige

Sign up for the VIP experience—an interest-bearing personal checking account with the best features.

  • Monthly fee of $0 if you meet just one of our qualifiers,D otherwise $25
  • Minimum opening deposit of $100
  • Get the best ratesD on EquityLines and CDs
Open a Prestige checking account now , Opens in a new tab
Learn more about a Prestige checking account

Answer a few questions to find the right checking account

Payments & Transfers

Instantly move your money wherever you need it

Pay your bills from any device

Send money with Zelle®

Transfer funds to other accounts

Learn more about payments and transfers in Digital Banking
Payments & Transfers

Instantly move your money wherever you need it

Pay your bills from any device

Payments & Transfers

Instantly move your money wherever you need it

Send money with Zelle®

Payments & Transfers

Instantly move your money wherever you need it

Transfer funds to other accounts

Learn more about payments and transfers in Digital Banking
Security

The same secure banking you've come to rely on us for in person, online

Security Alerts

We'll automatically send you alerts if your account credentials change.

Card Freezes

Temporarily freeze or unfreeze your card if it's lost or stolen, or if you suspect fraud.

Advanced Security

Rest assured that all your confidential account information is protected.

Insured

Your money is insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Learn more about our privacy and security

Personal Checking Accounts FAQ
People often ask us

Yes.

First Citizens has multiple types of personal checking accounts that can be opened online within minutes, including Free, Premier and Prestige options.

You can find your routing number by selecting the state where you opened your account. Routing numbers are often referred to as check routing numbers, ABA numbers or routing transit numbers, or RTN.

You can also find your routing and account numbers on checks or in Digital Banking.

On checks

Your routing number is listed as the first sequence of numbers at the bottom left corner of your personal checks—typically a 9-digit number. If you have a business account, the routing number will follow the 6-digit check number at the bottom of your checks.

Your account number is listed as the second sequence of numbers at the bottom left corner of your personal or business checks—typically a 12-digit number.

In Digital Banking

Your routing and account numbers can be viewed online in Digital Banking. Select the online bank account you want to see, then look for the details tab and select View Routing and Account Numbers.

Whether you need checks or accessories for your personal accounts, we offer a quick and simple online ordering process through Harland Clarke.

  1. Go to Harland Clarke - Check Ordering
  2. Log in with your routing or transit number and the account number from your checking account. If you don't know where to find these numbers, an example check is available for clarification.
  3. Choose the checks and accessories you want to purchase.

If your name or address has changed or you haven't ordered checks in the past, please call us or visit your local branch to update your information or place your first order.

You can reorder checks in three ways:

  • Online through our secure Digital Banking
  • Through our Customer Care Center
  • At your First Citizens branch

There are several ways to stop payment on a check, each with an associated fee. If you'd like to save money, try one of the two options below that have a lower stop-payment fee.

If neither option above is convenient, you can also stop payment on a check by calling the Customer Care Center at 888-FC DIRECT (888-323-4732) and speaking with a banking representative or by visiting your local branch.

Specific fee information is found in the Disclosure of Products and Fees for Checking and Savings Accounts.

The Disclosure of Products and Fees for Checking and Savings Accounts provides a complete list of prices and fees for these types of accounts.

Yes. Your available balance immediately reflects your ATM and debit card deductions. However, they won't appear in your transaction history until the next business day's postings.

Insights
A few financial insights for your life

Banking

3 Tools for Better Money Management

These checking account features can help you gain more control over your finances.
With digital banking, you can see where every dollar is going, understand your spending patterns and use this information to better manage your money.
Budgeting

Digitally Balancing Your Accounts

Stay safe and prepared with this habit.
Keep tabs on where your money is going by balancing your accounts digitally.
Budgeting

How to Do a Financial Checkup

Assess your financial wellness with this step-by-step guide.
Everyone has to make adjustments to their financial plan from time to time.

Account openings and credit are subject to bank approval.

For complete list of account details and fees, see our Personal Account Disclosures.

Zelle® and the Zelle® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.

Paperless statements are required. To be eligible for Free Checking, you must sign up to receive First Citizens paperless statements within 60 days of account opening. If you do not sign up and receive paperless statements, your account will be converted automatically and without prior notice to you to a Select Checking account and will be subject to the fees and charges applicable to a Select Checking account. The applicable fees and charges will be debited from your account without further notice to you and will appear on your account statement. If you overdraw your account, fees may apply. Refer to our Personal Account Disclosures for full details.

For current rates, please call or visit your local branch.

Avoid the $18 monthly fee when you meet any one of these criteria: $5,000 combined daily balance on select accounts (Premier Checking, Together Card, Regular Savings, Bonus Savings, Online Savings, Tiered Money Market Savings, Premium Tiered Money Market Savings, CDs, IRAs or an Investor Services Account), at least $4,000 in monthly ACH direct deposits, EquityLine of at least $25,000, or $10,000+ original consumer loan (new or used auto, light or heavy truck, boat, aircraft, unsecured personal loan, or mortgage [excludes mortgages that First Citizens does not retain servicing]).

Avoid the $25 monthly fee when you meet any one of these criteria: $25,000 combined daily balance on any First Citizens deposit account (Prestige Checking, Together Card, Regular Savings, Bonus Savings, Online Savings, Tiered Money Market Savings, Premium Tiered Money Market Savings, CDs, IRAs or an Investor Services Account), at least $6,500 in monthly ACH direct deposits, EquityLine of at least $100,000, $25,000+ original consumer loan (new or used auto, light or heavy truck, boat, aircraft, unsecured personal loan, or mortgage [excludes mortgages that First Citizens does not retain servicing]).

With the exception of the Sure Advantage and Together Card products (which are ineligible for overdraft service), if the available funds in your account are insufficient to pay an item when presented, First Citizens Bank will make a decision on whether to pay the item or return it unpaid. When we pay an item for which there are insufficient funds, it results in an overdraft. The following overdraft fee structure applies to eligible Consumer accounts: First Citizens Bank will charge you $10 each time we pay an item resulting in an overdraft, up to our limit of four (4) overdraft charges per business day. We will not charge you for overdrafts caused by transactions of $5.00 or less, nor for items returned unpaid. You are obligated to repay overdrafts immediately. Consumers have the option to decline overdraft service. First Citizens Bank also offers overdraft protection programs. Please see our Deposit Account Agreement (PDF) for additional details.

Links to third-party websites may have a privacy policy different from First Citizens Bank and may provide less security than this website. First Citizens Bank and its affiliates are not responsible for the products, services and content on any third-party website.

Bank deposit products are offered by First Citizens Bank. Member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender. icon: sys-ehl.

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