Banking Checking Accounts

6 Best Joint Banking Accounts [2026]: Options for Couples, Families, + More

Opening a bank account with someone else is a decision you shouldn't take lightly, but it could be a great one. Here are the best joint checking accounts and savings accounts available today.

Updated Jan. 30, 2026
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If you share expenses or financial responsibility with anyone, it might be time to consider a joint bank account. Joint bank accounts are ideal for couples with shared expenses, parents and children, and anyone else who could benefit from equal access to funds. Many banks and credit unions offer joint checking and savings accounts, so you can be a lot pickier than you might think.

Our experts have researched banks, credit unions, and financial technology companies to find the best joint banking accounts you can open. We looked for helpful joint banking features and perks like shared savings trackers, parental access for teen accounts, and collaborative budgeting tools. Here are the joint checking and savings accounts we recommend, along with who we had in mind when choosing them for our list. Many of the drawbacks you'll find with joint bank accounts are similar to drawbacks with regular bank accounts, but there are extra considerations to keep in mind when you're banking with someone else.

Financebuzz's picks for the best joint bank accounts
  • SoFi Checking and Savings
    • Monthly fee: $01
    • ATM network: 55,000 ATMs2
    • What we like: Earns interest on checking and savings accounts
  • Chase Bank
    • Monthly fee: $0 to $35/month, depending on the account
    • ATM network: 15,000 ATMs
    • What we like: Is a one-stop shop for all financial services
  • Capital One 360 Checking
    • Monthly fee: $0
    • ATM network: 70,000 ATMs
    • What we like: Allows cash deposits despite being a mostly online bank
  • Ally Bank Savings Account
    • Monthly fee: $0
    • ATM network: 75,000 ATMs
    • What we like: Offers savings buckets for financial goals
  • Axos One
    • Monthly fee: $0
    • ATM network: 95,000 ATMs
    • What we like: Offers extended FDIC coverage up to $265 million available
  • Alliant High-Rate Checking
    • Monthly fee: $0
    • ATM network: 80,000+ ATMs3
    • What we like: Offers $20 in monthly ATM fee rebates for out-of-network ATMs

Limited-Time Offer
Financebuzz awards badge
AWARD WINNER Best Online Checking
5.0
info
Learn More on SoFi's secure website, Member FDIC
Bonus Offer
Up to $300 info
Minimum Opening Balance
$0
Monthly Fee
$0
Why We Like It
  • Earn a $50 or $300 bonus with eligible direct deposit4and up to 4.00% APY5 on your money
  • Limited-Time Offer: +0.70% Boost on Savings APY to up to 4.00% for up to 6 months on new accounts. Terms apply.5
  • No account, overdraft, or monthly fees1
  • Get your paycheck up to two days early with direct deposit6
  • Access additional FDIC insurance up to $3 million7
Learn More on SoFi's secure website, Member FDIC

Compare joint banking accounts for February 2026

Joint account Best for Standout feature
SoFi Checking and Savings
SoFi® Checking and Savings
Joint checking + savings accounts for couples Interest on checking and savings accounts
Chase Total Checking®
Chase Total Checking
In-person joint checking One-stop shop for all financial services
Capital One 360 Checking
Capital One 360 Checking
Joint banking under one roof Allows cash deposits
Ally Bank Savings Account
Ally Bank Savings Account
Joint savings Savings buckets for financial goals
Axos ONE®
Axos One
Online joint banking in one place Extended FDIC coverage available
Alliant Credit Union High-Rate Checking
Alliant High-Rate Checking
Credit union banking $20 in ATM fee rebates each month8

SoFi® Checking and Savings

Best for joint checking + savings accounts for couples

Financebuzz awards badge
AWARD WINNER Best Online Checking
5.0
info
SoFi Checking and Savings
SoFi Checking & Savings - Earn Up to $300 When You Set Up Direct Deposit
Limited-Time Offer: Earn a $50 or $300 bonus with eligible direct deposit and up to 4.00% APY on Savings (3.30% APY4with +0.70% APY Boost) for up to 6 Months on new accounts. Terms Apply.5 FDIC Insured.7

Account details:
  • Monthly fee: $01
  • ATM network: 55,000 ATMs2
  • Standout feature: Interest on checking and savings accounts

The only thing better than enjoying great banking perks yourself is enjoying them with a partner. For joint banking as a couple, married or otherwise, we recommend the SoFi Checking and Savings account. This is a hybrid savings/checking account, an advantage it has over other joint options that could help keep your shared finances neater (and more rewarding).

What really stands out, though, is the APY on both checking and savings. Most banks pay interest on one or the other, not both. SoFi Checking and Savings, though, earns up to 3.30% APY on savings and 0.50% with direct deposit on checking, making this one of the best joint checking accounts for couples looking to earn interest on their cash.9

You'll pay no fees to open and maintain the account, but SoFi's major downside is that it doesn't offer other accounts. You couldn't open separate joint checking and savings accounts if you wanted to, and the company doesn't offer other deposit products (like certificates of deposit (CDs), for example).

Pros
  • Potentially getting your paycheck up to two days early with direct deposit6
  • No fees on your account1
  • Overdraft coverage available with eligible direct deposit10
  • A $50 or $300 sign-up bonus when you set up eligible direct deposit4
Cons
  • No option to open just a checking or just a savings account
  • Must have direct deposit set up to earn the current bonus

Visit SoFi | Read the full SoFi review

Chase Total Checking

Best for in-person joint checking

4.3
info
Chase Total Checking®
Enjoy $400 as a new Chase checking customer
When you open a new Chase Total Checking® account with qualifying activities.11 FDIC Insured. Offer valid through 4/15/2026.

Account details:
  • Monthly fee: $0 to $35/month, depending on the account
  • ATM network: 15,000 ATMs
  • Standout feature: One-stop shop for all financial services

Chase Total Checking® is one of the best joint checking accounts for couples who don't want exclusively online banking. Chase has over 5,000 branches, more than any other bank, and is one of the best brick-and-mortar banks for account variety, service, and branch access. The downside is that most accounts have fees, but you can have them waived by meeting requirements (which can be easier with multiple people on the account). For example, to waive the fee for Chase Total Checking®, you need one of the following:

  • $500 in direct deposits monthly
  • A $1,500 average daily balance
  • A total average daily balance of $5,000 in combined Chase accounts12

Many Chase credit cards are also impressive, and the bank can be a convenient choice for other financial services, from loans to investing. Chase also offers savings accounts, but they're not as worthwhile. We suggest sticking with online banks with high APYs for your savings, and using Chase for checking if you need in-person service. Ally is a great option for joint savings. Member FDIC.

Pros
  • Many local branches
  • Many checking account options
  • No minimum opening deposit requirements
Cons
  • Most accounts have monthly fees
  • Limited number of fee-free ATMs
  • Low APYs

Visit Chase | Read our Chase Bank review

Capital One 360 Checking

Best for joint banking under one roof

Account details:
  • Monthly fee: $0
  • ATM network: 70,000 ATMs
  • Standout feature: Allows cash deposits despite being an online bank

Capital One made the list of the best joint bank accounts because it has a little bit of everything, making it the perfect overall bank for anyone looking for a mostly mobile experience. The bank's line of Capital One 360 accounts features no fees, no balance requirements, and a 3.40%13 APY on its high-yield savings, so there's a lot to like.

If you're looking to open a joint checking account online, the digital-forward Capital One 360 Checking account even offers a $250 bonus to new account holders.14 To earn this bonus, you'll need to set up and receive two direct deposits of $500 or more each within 75 days of opening your account.

Capital One doesn't have quite as large of a branch or ATM footprint as other traditional banks like Chase, but Capital One Cafe locations do give a 50% discount on coffee and other drinks to banking customers who purchase with their Capital One card, which is a unique perk.

Member FDIC.

Pros
  • High APY on savings balances
  • No fees on all accounts
  • No minimum balance requirements
Cons
  • Limited in-person branches
  • Low checking account APYs

Visit Capital One 360 Checking | Read our full Capital One review

Ally Bank Savings Account

Best for joint savings

Account details:
  • Monthly fee: $0
  • ATM network: 75,000 ATMs
  • Standout feature: Savings buckets for financial goals

Ally makes it easy for couples to set up a joint bank account, whether checking or savings. Joint checking includes benefits like two-day early access to your direct deposit and no monthly fees, as well as:

  • ATM reimbursement: Finding a network ATM isn't always possible, and Ally has your back by reimbursing up to $10 per statement cycle in non-network ATM fees.
  • No overdraft fees: The Ally Bank CoverDraft℠ service covers overdrafts up to $250 (if you qualify).

Where Ally really shines is its joint savings account with an APY of 3.40%15 and the features most banks don't offer. My favorite is the savings buckets, which you can create for each financial goal. It allows you to visualize your progress for each goal individually, which can be more motivating for some people. For more information, read our full Ally vs. Sofi comparison.

You also have the option to set up multiple boosters, such as round-ups, recurring transfers, or my favorite, surprise savings, which allows Ally to analyze your account and see what's safe to transfer to savings. Member FDIC.

Pros
  • High APY on savings account balances
  • Organize joint savings goals in separate buckets
  • Round-ups help you save easily
  • No monthly fees on checking or savings accounts
Cons
  • Checking account interest is relatively low
  • No cash deposits

Read our full Ally Bank review

Axos One

Best for online joint banking in one place

5.0
info
Axos ONE®
Axos ONE® - Earn up to 4.31% APY
Axos ONE® offers up to a powerful 4.31% APY on savings and 0.51% APY16on checking to help you grow your money. No monthly maintenance, minimum balance, account opening, or overdraft fees. FDIC insured.

Account details:
  • Monthly fee: $0
  • ATM network: 95,000 ATMs
  • Standout feature: Extended FDIC coverage up to $265 million available

Most people assume they can't earn interest on their checking accounts, but Axos Bank says otherwise. AXOS One is a bundled checking/savings account. You can earn a 0.51% (as of 12/1/2025) APY on AXOS One checking16, but to get it, you must:

  • Receive at least $1,500 in total monthly qualifying direct deposits and maintain at least this amount as your average daily balance.
  • Or, receive at least $5,000 in total monthly deposits and maintain this balance.

Your deposits, direct or otherwise, need to clear by the 25th of each month to count toward these requirements. You can also earn a competitive up to 4.31% APY16 on the savings.

AXOS One accounts are FDIC insured up to $250,000 for individuals, and $500,000 for joint accounts. But if you need more coverage, you can access up to $265 million in protection through InsureGuard+ networked deposits — a significant perk for high net worth couples.

Pros
  • Many checking account options
  • High checking account APYs
  • Unlimited domestic ATM fee reimbursements
Cons
  • Low APY on savings
  • Many requirements for each checking account

Visit Axos | Read our full Axos Bank review

Alliant High-Rate Checking

Best for credit union banking

5.0
info
Alliant Credit Union High-Rate Checking
Alliant Credit Union High-Rate Checking - 0.25% APY17
No monthly service or overdraft fees18and no monthly minimum balance requirement.19 NCUA Insured

Account details:
  • Monthly fee: $0
  • ATM network: 80,000+ ATMs3
  • Standout feature: $20 in monthly ATM fee rebates

Anyone can join online-only Alliant Credit Union, and more people probably should. We chose the Alliant High-Rate Checking account for people looking for joint checking because it charges hardly any fees, offers up to $20 in ATM fee rebates each month, and provides nice-to-have perks like early direct deposit.

Although we wouldn't actually classify this account's yield of 0.25% (as of 04/10/25) APY as "high rate," it's still ideal for joint banking if you're interested in a credit union and the customer service and personal touch that can come with that.

Alliant's High-Rate Savings Account is well worth opening, too. It earns up to 3.10% APY20, which helps to make up for the checking account's less-than-impressive rate, and you can also open supplemental savings accounts for different goals. This is great for joint savings when you're working toward the same targets with your co-owner. There's no minimum deposit for High-Rate Checking, but High-Rate Savings requires $100 to open.

Pros
  • No minimum deposit required to open
  • Full-service banking
  • Very few fees
Cons
  • Other rewards checking accounts earn more interest

Visit Alliant | Read our Alliant Credit Union review

How to choose the best banks for joint accounts

Choosing the right bank account for joint owners is a big decision. To narrow down your choices, consider the following:

  • Joint financial goals: Discuss with your partner the purpose of your joint account. For example, if you're saving to buy a house, you likely want a high-yield savings account, but if you're looking to join funds for everyday spending, a joint checking account is better.
  • Account features: Consider what you need in an account and what would be great to have. Think of sign-up bonuses, high APYs, online bill pay, early access to direct deposit, and special savings features.
  • Account fees: Carefully review the fee structure at each bank. Some banks have no monthly fees — and they really mean it. Others hide fees in the fine print. Common fees to consider include minimum balance requirements, transaction fees, ATM fees, and overdraft fees.
  • Future financial needs: Many banks offer other products besides checking and savings accounts. If you anticipate future financial needs, such as applying for a mortgage or getting a joint credit card, check if the bank offers those services.

 

How we rate products

4.3
info
Enjoy $400 as a new Chase checking customer
When you open a new Chase Total Checking® account with qualifying activities.11 FDIC Insured. Offer valid through 4/15/2026.
Learn More

5.0
info
Financebuzz awards badge
AWARD WINNER Best Online Checking
SoFi Checking & Savings - Earn Up to $300 When You Set Up Direct Deposit
Limited-Time Offer: Earn a $50 or $300 bonus with eligible direct deposit and up to 4.00% APY on Savings (3.30% APY4with +0.70% APY Boost) for up to 6 Months on new accounts. Terms Apply.5 FDIC Insured.7
Learn More

4.8
info
Bank of America Advantage Banking
Up to $500 cash offer. Click ‘Learn More' for more details. Bank of America, N.A. Member FDIC.
Learn More

FAQs

What are the benefits of a joint bank account?

Having a joint bank account offers an array of benefits. Namely, it's easier for you and whoever else you're opening the account with to access your money for joint expenses. Other benefits include:

  • Transparency and accountability: With a joint account, all account holders can easily monitor and track their financial transactions. This helps foster a sense of transparency and accountability within the couple or group.
  • Streamlined financial planning: Joint accounts make planning all of your finances a lot easier. All account holders can see the same thing and can work together to set financial goals, track the progress of those goals, and allocate funds toward shared objectives like saving for a vacation, a home, or another long-term financial goal.
  • Emergency preparedness: When emergencies happen, having a joint account can help you access the money you need to cover them. When medical emergencies, car repairs, and other emergencies arise, joint account holders can readily tap into the shared funds to address the situation.

Do you need good credit for a joint bank account?

No, you generally don't need good credit to open a joint bank account. Some banks may run a soft credit pull, and most banks run a ChexSystems report, which is a report based on your past banking information, not your credit history.

Compare no-credit-check bank accounts if you definitely want to avoid these pulls. Fortunately, many of the accounts we recommend for this can be opened jointly.

How do you set up a joint bank account?

Setting up a joint account shouldn't be too difficult. The best banks let you sign up online and require each borrower to provide basic personal and financial information. Others require that you go into a physical branch and bring in this financial info.

The process involves choosing the right account, submitting an application online or in person, and waiting for approval. Banks like Capital One and Ally take just minutes to set up a joint account, but others can take longer, especially if you have to visit a branch.

Does Wells Fargo offer joint bank accounts?

Yes, you can open a joint checking account at Wells Fargo. If you like the idea of banking with an institution that offers in-person access, but Chase isn't for you, Wells Fargo is a good alternative. However, note that you need to visit a Wells Fargo branch to open a joint bank account, which is why it didn't quite make our list of the best options.

Bottom line

Choosing the best banks for joint bank accounts is a big decision. You have more than one person's opinion to consider and many features to evaluate. And it can be a little more complicated when you need to close a joint account. But we can confidently recommend Ally, Axos, SoFi®, Capital One, Chase, and Alliant as good places to start your search, especially if you want to open a joint bank account online, as all these financial institutions offer a strong digital experience.

We suggest comparing joint bank accounts side-by-side and evaluating the features you'd be most likely to use to help you choose the right bank.

5.0
info
Financebuzz awards badge
AWARD WINNER Best Online Checking
SoFi Checking and Savings Benefits
  • Limited-Time Offer: Earn a $50 or $300 bonus with eligible direct deposit and up to 4.00% APY on Savings (3.30% APY4with +0.70% APY Boost) for up to 6 Months on new accounts. Terms Apply.5
  • No account, overdraft, or monthly fees1
  • Get your paycheck up to two days early with direct deposit6
  • Access additional FDIC insurance up to $3 million7
Open an account with SoFi® here

Learn More
5.0
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Financebuzz awards badge
AWARD WINNER Best Online Checking
High APY of up to 4.00% on Savings (3.30% APY4 with +0.70% APY Boost) for up to 6 Months on new accounts. Terms Apply.5
Paycheck access up to 2 days early with direct deposit6
No monthly maintenance or overdraft fees1
Streamlined savings and savings goals with Vaults
Access to a large ATM network2