Difference Between Checking and Savings Accounts | Santander Bank (2024)

Difference Between Checking and Savings Accounts | Santander Bank - Santander

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Difference Between Checking and Savings Accounts | Santander Bank (3)

If you’re new to banking, you may be curious about which account is right for you: checking or savings? Should you open a checking account to get access to a debit card? Or, should you open a savings account to take advantage of interest? Do you really need both? Learn more about the differences between checking and savings, and find out how both accounts can benefit you.

Checking Accounts: Money for Everyday Needs

The main difference between checking and savings accounts is that checking accounts are primarily for accessing your money for daily use while savings accounts are primarily for saving money. Checking accounts are considered “transactional,” meaning that they allow you to access your money when and where you need it. While both allow you to access your money, you may consider it easier to do so with checking accounts. Since these accounts are designed to give you easy access to your cash, they often come withdebit cards,checks, and even offer digital payment options likeApple Pay. In contrast, savings accounts have a limit on the number of withdrawals you can make each month.

While checking accounts are convenient for daily cash needs, it’s important to remember that they may be age restricted. Most banks won’t allow people under the age of 18 to open a checking account without a parent or legal guardian as a co-owner of the account. Before opening a checking account, make sure that its terms fit your financial needs and your lifestyle.Learn more about how to open a checking account.

Compare checking account options.

Savings Accounts: Money for Long-Term Goals

When it comes to setting aside money for a long-term need or goal, you should consider a savings account. Savings accounts are designed to hold money over a long period of time to help you save for larger goals (rather than everyday purchases). As your money stays in the account, it will accrue interest and grow over time. For traditional savings accounts, this means that you will need to visit your bank, set up a transfer online1, or make an ATM withdrawal to access your money. A money market savings account allows you to write checks from it. Learn more about the differences between savings accounts and money market accounts.

Keeping some of your money in a savings account is a great way to set it aside for emergencies or large purchases – its limited access will keep you from spending it on day-to-day necessities. There are also dedicatedsavings accounts for kids, though a parent or guardian is usually required as a joint owner.Learn more about how savings accounts work.

Compare types of savings accounts.

Checking vs. Savings Accounts – Which is Best for Me?

If you’re trying to decide between savings or checking, it’s best to consider what you need from your bank account. Ideally, you should open both a checking and a savings account to enjoy the benefits of each. Santander Bank offers a range of checking and savings options, including joint accounts, so you can choose the accounts that are right for you. Learn more about our personal banking products or visit yourlocal branchto speak with one of our banking associates.

New to bank accounts, or have additional questions? Visit ourchecking and saving resourcesto get answers to frequently asked checking or savings questions.

1We limit withdrawals and transfers out of your savings and money market savings accounts. You can withdraw or transfer funds from a savings or money market savings account a total of six (6) times per Service Fee Period (such as by automatic or pre-authorized transfers using telephone, online banking, mobile banking, overdraft protection, payments to third parties, wire transfers, checks, and drafts). If you repeatedly exceed these limits, we may close or convert your account to a checking account, which may be a non-interest-bearing checking account.

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Difference Between Checking and Savings Accounts | Santander Bank (2024)

FAQs

Difference Between Checking and Savings Accounts | Santander Bank? ›

The main difference between checking and savings accounts is that checking accounts are primarily for accessing your money for daily use while savings accounts are primarily for saving money. Checking accounts are considered “transactional,” meaning that they allow you to access your money when and where you need it.

What is the difference between a chequing and a savings account? ›

What is a savings account? If chequing accounts are for day-to-day transactions, savings accounts can help you achieve short and long term saving goals. Instead of being used for day-to-day transactions savings accounts may be more appropriate for saving goals since these accounts earn interest3.

How to tell if a bank account is checking or savings? ›

Checking accounts typically come with a debit card and checks to help make day-to-day transactions more convenient, while most savings accounts do not. A savings account is meant to store and grow your money for the longer term.

What is the difference between a checking and savings account quizlet? ›

What is the difference between a savings account and a checking account? A checking account is for writing checks and a debit card is usually associated with it. A savings account is just for savings, the intention is that you will not touch the money.

Should your checking and savings be with the same bank? ›

Not only can you have your checking and savings at different banks, but many people will benefit from it. Checking accounts and savings accounts serve very different purposes in your financial portfolio, and some banks may specialize in one account type over another.

What is the difference between a checking bank account and a savings account? ›

The main difference between checking and savings accounts is that checking accounts are primarily for accessing your money for daily use while savings accounts are primarily for saving money. Checking accounts are considered “transactional,” meaning that they allow you to access your money when and where you need it.

What is the difference between account and savings account? ›

A savings account is most suitable for people who are salaried employees or have a monthly income, whereas, Current Accounts work best for traders and entrepreneurs who need to access their accounts frequently. Savings accounts earn interest at a rate of around 4%, while there is no such earning from a Current Account.

What is a savings bank account? ›

A savings account is a type of deposit account provided by banks and financial institutions. It allows individuals to deposit and store their money while earning a certain rate of interest on the deposited amount.

What is a checking account in a bank? ›

Checking accounts allow you to deposit money that you can then draw against to pay bills or make purchases. They also may be called transactional accounts. Checking accounts are different from savings accounts because—rather than being designed to hold money for the long-term—they're meant for everyday use.

Do my checking and savings have the same account number? ›

Banks assign account numbers to each account you own. For example, if you open a checking and savings account at the same bank, you'd have two different account numbers and one ABA routing number.

What is the major difference between a checking savings account and a money market account? ›

“A money market account is an interest-bearing bank account that typically has a higher interest rate than a checking account,” says Bola Sokunbi, founder of a personal finance education website. With some money market accounts, you can even earn more interest with a higher balance.

What are the main differences between checking and savings accounts in Ramsey? ›

A checking account is for your regular spending while a savings account store your money and grow in interest. What are the main differences between checking and savings accounts? The first step is to keep track of your expenses through the month and compare that record to your bank statement.

What is typically a feature of a savings account but not a checking account? ›

Explanation: A feature typically found in a savings account but not in a checking account is that your money earns interest. While both types of accounts allow you to withdraw money from an ATM and offer FDIC insurance up to $250,000, only a savings account will provide interest on your deposited funds.

Why are checking accounts better than savings accounts? ›

Checking accounts are better for regular transactions such as purchases, bill payments and ATM withdrawals. They typically earn less interest — or none. Savings accounts are better for storing money. Your funds typically earn more interest.

Which savings account will earn you the most money? ›

A money market account (MMA) is a savings account that typically pays higher interest rates than regular savings accounts. MMAs usually offer tiered rates, meaning you can earn an even higher rate on large balances or on part of your balance over a certain level.

Is money safer in checking or savings? ›

In the traditional sense, checking and savings accounts are both incredibly safe places to keep your money. The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) automatically guarantees accounts up to $250,000 for each member of a federally insured credit union.

Is it better to keep money in checking or savings account? ›

If you're just looking to pay for everyday expenses, a checking account is the way to go. If you're focusing on growing your money, a savings account is a better fit. Regardless of the account type you choose, make sure you pick one suited to your financial needs and goals.

Is it better to have a Cheque or savings account? ›

How checking and savings accounts differ. The primary benefit of a checking account is to provide you with access to your money for everyday needs. Savings accounts, on the other hand, enable you to set aside money for longer-term goals. Savings accounts pay interest on balances.

What is a checking account used for? ›

A checking account lets you store cash safely and securely while enjoying easy access to your money with debit cards, electronic transfers, or checks. People typically use checking accounts for things like on-time, automatic bill payments and making purchases.

Is a debit card a checking or savings account? ›

Is a debit card a checking or savings account? A debit card is not a checking account, it is a card linked to a checking account. The primary difference between a debit and checking account is that a checking account holds money, whereas a debit card simply provides access to that money.

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