Banking
Understand account types, compare fees, and check your account readiness.
Sample Community Church · Atlanta, GA
Account types
What each account is designed for.
| Account type | Purpose | Typical fee |
|---|---|---|
| Checking | Everyday spending and bill pay. | $0–$12/mo (often waivable) |
| Savings | Set-aside money for goals and emergencies. | $0–$5/mo (often waivable) |
| Money market | Higher-yield savings with some check-writing. | $0–$15/mo, minimum balance often required |
| Certificate of deposit (CD) | Locked-in rate for a fixed term. | Early withdrawal penalty applies |
Fee comparison (demo banks)
Synthetic demo comparison — not real bank offers.
| Bank | Monthly fee | Overdraft fee | How to waive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Community Credit Union (demo) | $0 | $0 (opt-in only) | None |
| Regional Bank A (demo) | $12 | $34 | $1,500 balance or direct deposit |
| Regional Bank B (demo) | $8 | $30 | Direct deposit of $500+/mo |
| Online Bank C (demo) | $0 | $0 | None required |
Setting up direct deposit
- Ask payroll for your bank's routing number and your account number (found on a check or in your banking app).
- Split direct deposit across checking and savings if your employer allows it — automate saving before you can spend it.
- Confirm the first deposit lands correctly before relying on it for a bill due date.
Avoiding overdraft fees
- Turn on low-balance text or push alerts so you know before you overdraw.
- Link a savings account as overdraft protection to replace a ~$30-35 fee with a smaller or no transfer fee.
- Ask your bank about opting out of overdraft coverage on debit card purchases entirely if you'd rather a purchase be declined than fee'd.
Account-readiness checklist
2 of 5 complete. Saved locally in this prototype session only.