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TD Checking Accounts Review: Pros, Cons, and Alternatives

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TD Bank has over 1,100 branches and 2,600 ATMs along the East Coast. You might like one of TD Bank's three primary checking accounts if you prefer banking face-to-face and live near a branch along the East Coast.

But if your main priorities are low monthly fees and good interest rates, you might prefer one of the best checking accounts with an online bank.

TD Bank Checking Account Options

TD Bank Essential Banking

The TD Bank Essential Banking is best for anyone between the ages of 13 to 17 because it waives the monthly service fee for this age group and is a checkless bank account.

It also might be a good option if you want to avoid overdraft fees entirely. However, be aware that your transactions may be declined if you try to overdraw from your account.

TD Bank Complete Checking

TD Bank Complete Checking is a new checking account offered by TD Bank. It's a good choice if you meet the requirements to waive the $15 monthly service fee. 

There are a couple of ways to waive the fee. You can receive monthly direct deposits of $500 or more, maintain a minimum daily balance of $500 or more, or have a daily combined balance of $5,000 or more across linked bank accounts. The fee is also automatically waived for anyone between ages 17 and 23. 

You also might like this account if you're looking for a checking account bonus. The TD Bank Complete Checking Account offers a $200 when you have $500 in qualifying direct deposits within 60 days (offer expires January 31, 2025)

TD Bank Beyond Checking Account

The TD Bank Beyond Checking Account might be worth exploring if you regularly maintain a minimum daily balance of at least $2,500 or receive monthly direct deposits of $5,000 or more. That way, you'll waive the $25 monthly service fee. You can also waive the fee by maintaining $25,000 or more across all your TD Bank accounts, home equity loans, home equity line of credit accounts, or mortgage.

This account offers several perks like no ATM fees and two free overdraft fee reimbursements per year. TD Bank also offers a cash bonus of $300 when you have $2,500 in qualifying direct deposits within 60 days (offer expires January 31, 2025).

Overview of TD Bank Checking Account Offerings

 TD EssentialTD CompleteTD Beyond
Minimum opening deposit$0$0$0
Interest earnedNoneNone0.01% Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
Monthly service fee$4.95 monthly service fee; can be waived$15 monthly service fee; can be waived$25 monthly service fee; can be waived
Early direct deposits featureYesYesYes
Out-of-network ATM fee$3$3; No ATM fees if you're between the ages of 17 through 23$0; refunds provider fees if your balance is $2,500
Overdraft feesNone$35; overdraft protection options available$35; overdraft options available
Cash bonus for new customersNone$200$300
 Start BankingStart BankingStart Banking

TD Bank Checking Key Features and Benefits 

Low Minimum Balance Requirements

TD Bank checking accounts can be opened with $0 upfront. However, you should still plan to deposit in the first 45 days to avoid an account closure.

TD Early Pay

In March 2024, TD Bank announced a new feature for all checking and savings account customers called TD Early Pay. Customers can now get eligible direct deposits up to two business days early.

TD Bank defines eligible direct deposits as employer paychecks, government benefit payments, tax refunds, military pay, and pensions.

You won't need to enroll to receive early direct deposits. It'll be automatically applied if the funds are available early.

Overdraft Protection Services

The bank has several overdraft protection services to help you avoid overdraft fees.

With Grace Period, TD Bank will refund overdraft fees when you restore your account balance to at least $0 by 11 p.m. ET the next business day.

You can also link your checking account to your savings account to cover overdrafts. In 2022, TD Bank eliminated the fee for overdraft account transfers.

Federal Insurance

TD Bank is a federally insured financial institution. This means that if a bank failure occurs, your deposits are FDIC insured for up to $250,000, or $500,000 for joint accounts.

The FDIC will make sure your insured deposits are safe. Your money will either be moved to another FDIC-insured financial institution or the money mailed to you through a check. 

TD Bank Checking Fees and Charges

Monthly Maintenance Fees

TD Bank does not have any fee-free checking accounts. All the checking options at least have monthly bank maintenance fees to be mindful of.

TD Bank Complete Checking offers the most ways to waive monthly service fees. That said, TD Bank Essential Banking has the lowest monthly service fee out of three options.

Overdraft Fees

You'll also want to review each account for overdraft fees before choosing an account.

TD Bank Essential Banking doesn't charge any overdraft fees, but TD Bank Complete Checking and TD Bank Beyond Checking do. TD Bank charges a $35 overdraft fee, up to three times per day. You can avoid paying overdraft fees on TD Bank checking accounts by using one of the bank's overdraft protection options. 

ATM Fees

Customers won't be charged fees at TD Bank ATMs. If you use a non-TD Bank ATM, though, you might have to pay a $3 out-of-network fee, depending on your account.

TD Bank Essential Banking doesn't have a way to automatically waive ATM fees. TD Bank Complete Checking waives ATM fees if you're between the ages of 17 through 23. Lastly, TD Bank Beyond Checking waives ATM fees if you maintain a $2,500 minimum daily balance.

TD Bank Additional Banking Services

TD Bank has several other bank account options. You can choose from two types of savings accounts and three different types of CDs. The bank also has personal loans and a variety of home loans and credit cards. 

Opening a TD Bank Checking Account

To open a bank account, you must provide a US ID and Social Security number to verify your identity. You must be 18 years old to open a bank account online. If you are opening a bank account for a minor, you'll have to visit a branch. 

TD Bank Customer Support and Feedback

You can speak with a live customer support representative 24/7. Many branch locations are also open seven days per week if you want to speak to someone in person.

The mobile app has received positive reviews, with 4.8 out of 5 stars in the Apple store and 4.3 out of 5 stars in the Google Play store.

Are TD Bank Checking Accounts Trustworthy?

The Better Business Bureau grades companies based on how they deal with customer issues. The BBB has given TD Bank an A+ rating.

In 2023, the bank had to pay $1.2 billion in a settlement that claimed the bank was involved in a Ponzi scheme started by Robert Allen Stanford, the former chairman of Stanford International Bank. TD Bank provided correspondent banking services to Stanford International Bank.

TD Bank Checking Account Alternatives

TD Bank Checking vs. Bank of America Checking

If you don't have money to open a checking account, you'll probably prefer TD Bank. At Bank of America, you'll have to deposit anywhere from $25 to $100. TD Bank lets you open a checking account with $0 minimum opening deposit. 

You'll also prefer TD Bank to other institutions if you'd like to get 24/7 customer service. Bank of America customer support is available over the phone during select hours on weekdays and weekends.

Bank of America Review

TD Bank Checking vs. Citizens Bank Checking

If you'd like to open a checking account with a low initial deposit, TD Bank and Citizens Bank have good options. Both banks let you open a checking account with no minimum opening deposit. 

The best choice for you may ultimately depend on where you live. TD Bank has branches in North Carolina and South Carolina Citizens Bank doesn't have locations in these states, but it does have locations in Michigan and Ohio where there aren't any TD branches.  

Citizens Bank also might be more appealing if you frequently use ATMs. Citizens Bank has over 3,100 ATMs while TD Bank has around 2,600 ATMs.

You might prefer another financial institution if you're priority is the avoid overdraft fees, though. While TD Bank and Citizens Bank have free overdraft services to help minimize overdraft fees, there are several banks that have completely eliminated overdraft fees on all accounts. You can find options in the best banks for avoiding overdraft fees.

Citizens Bank Review

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed TD Bank Checking Accounts

For our TD Bank Checking Accounts review, we used our checking account methodology. At Personal Finance Insider, we rate products on a scale from one to five stars.  We also compare and contrast the features and fine print of various products to help determine if the account may be right for you. Our checking methodology, specifically, takes into account the minimum opening deposit, monthly service fees, overdraft protection options, ATM network/fees, customer support availability, mobile app ratings, miscellaneous features, and security and ethics of a company.

TD Bank Checking FAQs

What sets TD Bank checking accounts apart from competitors? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

TD Bank checking accounts may stand out if you live on the East Coast and want a traditional checking account with a $0 minimum opening deposit. It also may be worthwhile if you want to receive early direct deposits. 

Can I open a TD Bank checking account with no minimum deposit? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

You can open a TD Bank checking account with $0. Your account might be considered closed if a deposit hasn't been made within the first 45 days, though.

Are there ways to waive the monthly maintenance fee on TD Bank checking accounts? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

You may be able to waive the monthly service fee for TD Bank Essential Banking, TD Bank Complete Checking, and TD Bank Beyond Checking Account if you meet certain age or minimum balance requirements.

Does TD Bank offer digital banking solutions? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

TD Bank offers digital and mobile banking. The national banking ranks highly in online banking satisfaction but received mixed ratings for mobile banking, according to J.D. Power studies.

How does TD Bank support its checking account customers? Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

For general assistance on banking, TD Bank has 24/7 customer support by phone or live chat.

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