Can I link non-U.S. Bank accounts to my Bank Smartly® Checking?

Yes, you can link outside bank accounts within the U.S. Bank mobile app.

What happens if I don't make a deposit into my Bank Smartly® Checking?

U.S. Bank will close your Bank Smartly® Checking if you don't make a $25 deposit within 30 days of opening your account. It can also choose to close your account if you have a $0 balance in the account and no deposit and withdrawal activity.

How is the average account balance calculated?

Basically, U.S. Bank will add the total balance of each calendar day in a statement period, then divide by the number of days within that period. For example, if, in a 30-day period, you had $1,700 for 29 days and $0 for one day, then your total account balance would be about $1,643.

Bank Smartly® Checking Review

If you're tired of your boring ol' checking account, the Bank Smartly® Checking may have some exciting perks for you. With a big welcome offer, digital tools, budget tracking, overdraft protection, and multiple ways to waive monthly fees, this checking account packs a hefty punch. Oh yeah -- and it earns a little interest, too. Find out if the Bank Smartly® Checking account is right for you in this expert review.

Ratings Methodology

Rates as of Dec 20, 2024

Bank Smartly® Checking

Member FDIC.

Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.

3.50/5

Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.

3.50/5

APY

Undisclosed

Min. To Earn APY

$0.01

Pros/Cons

Advanced digital banking tools for budgeting and financial goals
24/7 customer support
Branch access (if you live near one)
Overdraft protection and fee forgiveness
FDIC insured

Balance requirement to waive monthly fee

Bottom Line

The Bank Smartly® Checking account has most standard features for a checking account offered by a major bank, including broad ATM access, multiple ways to deposit and withdraw funds, and digital tools for tracking your budget. The account earns interest, but you'll have to contact U.S. Bank to get the latest APYs. There’s a monthly service fee, but there are several ways to have it waived.

Compare checking accounts

We recommend comparing checking accounts to make sure you're getting the best fit for you. Here's a list of our favorite accounts.

Account	APY	Promotion	Next Steps
Open Account for Discover® Cashback Debit On Discover Bank's Secure Website. Member FDIC. Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars. 5.00/5 Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.	0% Min. to earn: N/A	Earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit card purchases each month (see details when you click 'Open Account')	Open Account for Discover® Cashback Debit On Discover Bank's Secure Website.
Open Account for Quontic High Interest Checking On Quontic's Secure Website. Member FDIC. Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars. 4.00/5 Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor.	up to 1.10% Min. to earn: $1	High APY when you complete 10 or more qualifying debit card purchases each month	Open Account for Quontic High Interest Checking On Quontic's Secure Website.

Full Bank Smartly® Checking review

The Bank Smartly® Checking is a relatively new product that unites many of the best perks out there for checking accounts. With that in mind, let's take a look at its best strengths and weaknesses.

Top perks

Earns interest: Like other top checking accounts, this one will earn interest on your balance. Unfortunately, U.S. Bank doesn't disclose interest rates online. The only way to find out its APY is to reach out to your local bank.

Low minimum opening deposit: You only need $25 to open this account.

Multiple ways to waive monthly maintenance fees: This checking account comes with a $6.95 monthly maintenance fee. But it gives you several ways to waive it, including the following.

Maintain an average account balance of $1,500 or more
Have a qualifying U.S. Bank personal credit card
Have combined monthly direct deposits totaling $1,000 or more
Be 24 or younger or 65 and older.
Be a member of the military

Overdraft protection: U.S. Bank will waive fees on overdrawn amounts $50 or below when you link an eligible account to your Bank Smartly® Checking. Then, if you overdraw by $50 or less, U.S. Bank will automatically transfer the money to your checking account.

Overdraft forgiveness: U.S. Bank could also forgive fees for any overdrawn amount over $50. To get the fee forgiveness, you must get your account to at least $0 before 11 p.m. EST on the day you're charged the fee.

Earn some extras through Smart Rewards: Smart Rewards is a four-tiered program that gives you some extra perks for maintaining a combined balance among all your U.S. Bank accounts (checking, savings, CDs, IRAs). Some of the perks included automatic waiver of monthly fees, savings interest lift, non U.S.-Bank ATM fee reimbursement, and discounts on mortgages and loans.

What could be improved

Fee waiver requirements: If you don't meet the fee waiver criteria listed above, you'll pay a $6.95 monthly account fee. While that fee isn't high (you'll often see $10 to $25 fees), you can find plenty of free checking accounts at other institutions.

Fees

Fees	Monthly Maintenance	ATM Withdrawal	Overdraft	Stop Payment	Insufficient Funds
Bank Smartly® Checking	$6.95	No ATM fee at U.S. Bank ATMs; $2.50 for non-U.S. Bank ATM transactions	$36, but overdraft protection is available	$35	$0

Data source: U.S. Bank.

How to access your money

Figuring out how you're going to deposit and withdraw money from your checking account can play a huge role in deciding which one is right for you. Fortunately, as a brick-and-mortar bank. U.S. Bank gives you plenty of options.

Deposit options

Whether you're depositing cash in person or a check through its mobile app, U.S. Bank gives you several ways to add money into your checking account:

Deposit cash or checks at a U.S. Bank branch
Use a U.S. Bank ATM
ACH transfer
Wire transfer ($20 fee)
Mailed check
Mobile check deposit

Withdrawal options

U.S. Bank also gives you several ways to withdraw money, including the following:

ACH transfer
ATM withdrawal
Withdraw cash at a U.S. Bank branch
Send money with Zelle
Use your U.S. Bank debit card
Wire transfer ($30)

Bank Smartly® Checking is right for you if:

You want an interest-bearing checking account.
You already have another U.S. Bank account (savings, CD, IRA, credit card) and want to keep all your money in one bank.
You can satisfy one of the fee waiver criteria.
You live near a U.S. Bank branch or, if you don't, you don't mind banking online or via a mobile app.

Keep reading about U.S. Bank:

Our checking account methodology

At Motley Fool Money, checking accounts are rated on a scale of one to five stars, primarily focusing on annual percentage yield (APY) and fees. Our highest-rated banking products generally include competitive APYs without complex qualification tiers, low to no fees, and ease of use. See our full Ratings Methodology here.

FAQs

Yes, you can link outside bank accounts within the U.S. Bank mobile app.
U.S. Bank will close your Bank Smartly® Checking if you don't make a $25 deposit within 30 days of opening your account. It can also choose to close your account if you have a $0 balance in the account and no deposit and withdrawal activity.
Basically, U.S. Bank will add the total balance of each calendar day in a statement period, then divide by the number of days within that period. For example, if, in a 30-day period, you had $1,700 for 29 days and $0 for one day, then your total account balance would be about $1,643.

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Bank Smartly® Checking Review: Tons of Perks, Multiple Fee Waiver Options, and Pays Interest