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Checking Accounts

Compare Checking Accounts

Whether you’re looking for an account with no monthly maintenance fees, one that earns interest or unlocks interest rate bonuses for keeping large balances, we have a checking account attentively designed to help you prosper.

First Merchants Bank App on 3 phones

☆ POPULAR

First Merchants Advantage Checking

Earn interest and enjoy special benefits with this popular primary checking account.

Open Now Open Account

BASIC

First Merchants Carefree Checking

Enjoy a simple, easy account that includes all of our free features—it’s free for students!

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PREMIUM

First Merchants Elite Checking

Get our highest checking interest rate and extra special benefits to make the most of a large balance.

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Monthly Maintenance Fee
$0 or $15
No fee with:

One $500 direct deposit2 per month
OR
15 debit card transactions per month3
OR
Maintain at least $1,500 in minimum combined personal deposit balances,
OR
You are a Senior (62 and over)1
$0 or $5
No fee with:

One customer-initiated transactionper month
OR
Maintain at least $100 in minimum combined personal deposit balances
OR
You are a student under age 25.
$0 or $20
No fee with:

$15,000 in minimum combined personal deposit balances.
Interest bearing
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ID Theft Protection8 & Card Controls with Mastercard Debit Card
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Free Credit Score Monitoring Included
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Extra Perks
• 50% Discount on Personal Checks
• Seniors receive Free Specialty Checks and Paper Statements
• Students receive Free Paper Statements
• CD and Money Market Interest Rate Bonus5
• Free Specialty Checks and Paper Statements
• No annual fee on a new Home Equity Line of Credit6

First Merchants Simple Access Checking

Build a banking history with no risk of overdrafts and basic features. Bank On-certified since 2022.

Open Now Open Account

First Merchants First Direct Checking

Get premium benefits for employees of Workplace Banking partners, first responders, members of the military, healthcare professionals, and educators.

Open Now Open Account
Monthly Maintenance Fee
$4 per month
$0 or $10
No fee with:

One $200 direct deposit2 per month
Interest bearing
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ID Theft Protection8 & Card Controls with Mastercard Debit Card
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Free Credit Score Monitoring Included
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Extra Perks
• Free Specialty Checks
• CD interest rate bonus5
• No annual fee on new Home Equity Line of Credit6
• Two Overdraft fees will be waived per rolling 12 month calendar period

Benefits of Banking with a Best Bank

It’s easy to switch

Use automated tools to switch your direct deposit and update your preferred payment method for dozens of online services like Netflix, Amazon and iTunes10.

Take a peek

First Merchants Bank Switch App Cropped

Check Rates and Open an Account Online in Minutes.

Disclosures:

1 Students under age 25 can receive Free paper statements, and no monthly maintenance fee with a First Merchants Carefree Checking Account. At age 25, must meet account requirements to avoid monthly maintenance fee. Seniors 62 and over can receive Free paper statements, Free specialty checks and no monthly maintenance fee with a First Merchants Advantage Checking account.

2 Multiple deposits of less than required amount will not qualify to waive the monthly maintenance fee.

3 Debit Card transaction includes point of sale transaction, signature based transaction, or ATM withdrawal.

4 Excludes bank service fees and charges, transactions must post during statement cycle

5 CD bonuses cannot be combined with other promotional offers.

6 Subject to credit approval.

7 Overdraft protection from a linked account must be established.

8 Certain restrictions, terms, and conditions apply.

9 Certain restrictions apply. Please see www.mastercard.us/zero-liability.html for more details. MasterCard® benefits are offered through MasterCard® card services. Please call 1-800-MASTERCARD for assistance. MasterCard® Enhanced Benefits are provided by MasterCard® to First Merchants Personal MasterCard® debit card holders at no additional cost.

10 None of the listed companies are associated with, sponsor, or endorse this product.

 Other service fee may apply. Please see our Banking Fees.