Essential Checking

Fee-free checking with all the perks.

All your banking essentials – for free. Say goodbye to bank fees for good.

Open My Account

Top 20 Checking Accounts 2023

GOBankingRates

Among the Best Online Banks 2023

Forbes Advisor

Best for Online Account Options

Business Insider

Essential Checking is anything but basic.

  • Direct Deposit Express
  • Unlimited ATM fee reimbursements
  • No overdraft, non-sufficient funds, or monthly maintenance fees
  • Exclusive Visa® offers and perks

Ready to open a no-fee Essential Checking account?

Open My Account

Direct Deposit Express

  • Get paid up to two days early*
  • Simple, fast, and free
  • Included for Essential Checking customers with direct deposit

Opening an Account Is as Easy as 1-2-3

  • Step 1: Select Open an Account.
  • Step 2: Have your ID, Social Security number, and address handy.
  • Step 3: Complete your application in less than 15 minutes.

Manage Essential Checking With the Axos App

  • View your transactions and spending history.
  • Get answers 24/7 with Evo, our virtual assistant.
  • Set up auto alerts for any strange activity you don’t recognize.
  • Move money to other accounts or send money to friends.
  • Enable security measures to keep your money safe.

Ready to Apply?

Ready to open your free Essential Checking account? All you need is a valid ID, your Social Security number, and 15 minutes.

Open My Account
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© 2025 Axos Financial, Inc., All Rights Reserved. © 2025 Axos Bank, All Rights Reserved. © 2025 Axos Invest LLC. Member FINRA & SIPC. All Rights Reserved. © 2025 Axos Invest, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Bank products and services are offered by Axos Bank®. All deposit accounts through Axos Bank brands are FDIC insured through Axos Bank. All deposit accounts of the same ownership and/or vesting held at Axos Bank are combined and insured under the same FDIC Certificate 35546. All deposit accounts through Axos Bank brands are not separately insured by the FDIC from other deposit accounts held with the same ownership and/or vesting at Axos Bank. For more information read Axos Bank’s FDIC Notice.

Advisory services are offered by Axos Invest, Inc., an investment adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). For information about our advisory services, please view our Form CRS or our ADV Part 2A Brochure, free of charge. Brokerage services and securities products are offered by Axos Invest LLC, Member FINRA & SIPC. YOU MAY FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR FIRM ON FINRA’S BROKERCHECK. View the background of this firm, or REVIEW our Form CRS. All cash and securities held in Axos Invest client accounts are protected by SIPC up to $500,000, with a limit of $250,000 for cash. Read more information about SIPC on the SIPC web page.

Securities and other non-deposit investment products and services are not deposits, obligations of or guaranteed by Axos Bank, are not insured by the FDIC or any governmental agency, and are subject to investment risk including possible loss of the principal invested. Past performance of a security does not guarantee future results or success.

Axos Invest LLC, Axos Invest, Inc., and Axos Bank are separate but affiliated companies.

Axos Bank NMLS# 524995

Axos Bank, Forbes Advisor "Among the Best Online Banks 2022". ©2022 and TM, Forbes Advisor. All Rights Reserved.

*Faster access to funds is based on a comparison of traditional banking policies and deposit of paper checks from employers and government agencies versus deposits made electronically. Direct Deposit and earlier availability of funds are subject to payer’s support of the feature and timing of payer’s funding.

A qualifying direct deposit is required for the remaining interest rate qualifications to apply. Ten (10) point-of-sale transactions per month using your Rewards Checking Visa® Debit Card for normal everyday purchases with a minimum of $3 per transaction, or enrolling in Account Aggregation/Personal Finance Manager (PFM) will earn 0.30%; maintaining an average daily balance of at least $2,500 per month in an Axos Self Directed Trading Invest account will earn 1.00%; maintaining an average daily balance of at least $2,500 a month in an Axos Managed Portfolio Invest account will earn 1.00%; and making a monthly payment to an open Axos Bank consumer loan (commercial and business loans excluded) via transfer from your Rewards Checking account will earn a maximum of 0.60%. Limit of one Rewards Checking account allowed per customer. Qualifying transactions must post and clear the account during the monthly qualification cycle. Account transactions may take one or more business days from the transaction date to post to the account. At the time of your statement cycle date, we will determine the combined products and services used since the previous cycle date to determine the aggregate interest rate to apply to your current statement cycle. We will use the daily balance method to calculate the interest on your account. We may change the interest rate paid for products and services used and the annual percentage yield at the Bank's discretion any time without notice. Fees may reduce earnings.

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