Checking Overview - Santander
Santander checking accounts
Santander Select® Checking
Get rewarded for your banking relationship with access to better benefits, discounts, and services that fuel your financial success and help provide a path to reach your goals.
Simply Right® Checking
A simple checking account with an easy-to-waive
Monthly Fee.
Santander® Essential Checking
When all you need are just the essentials with no surprises and the predictability you want with a low Monthly Fee.
Looking for an elevated banking experience with unique privileges and exclusive rates and benefits? Explore Santander® Private
Client.
Compare Santander Checking Accounts
| Account | Santander Select® Checking | Simply Right® Checking | Santander® Essential Checking |
| Debit Card | Santander Select World Debit Mastercard® | Santander Debit Mastercard® | Santander Debit Mastercard® |
| Monthly Fee* | $25 | $10 | $4 |
| How to waive the Monthly Fee* | Maintain a minimum combined balance of $25,000 in bank deposits (consumer and certain business products‡) and eligible investments§ held with Santander Investment Services. | Simply use the account each month. Any transaction1 (deposit, withdrawal, transfer, or payment) posted to the account. Additionally, the Monthly Fee is waived if any owner on the account is under 26 years of age. | The Monthly Fee is waived if any owner on the account is under 26 years of age or 65 years of age or over. |
| Interest earning? | Yes  | No  | No |
| Minimum opening deposit | $25 | $25 | $10 |
| Waived or reduced ATM withdrawal fee (domestic non-Santander ATM)2 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Free Paperless Statements? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile Banking and Online Banking? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Savings accounts benefits | Access to Santander Select® Money Market Savings. | Account waives Monthly Fee on Santander® Savings and Santander® Money Market Savings. | Account waives Monthly Fee on Santander® Savings and Santander® Money Market Savings. |
Bank anywhere, anytime
Manage your account whenever and wherever you want with our Mobile Banking App.
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Mobile Banking App
Unlock on-the-go features with our highly-rated Mobile Banking App.
Scan QR code to open app. 
Enroll in Santander
Online Banking
Manage your money securely by enrolling in Online Banking.
Schedule one-on-one time with a banker.
FAQs: Checking
To open an account in a branch, you will need two forms of Identification, including a Primary ID — which is a valid, government-issued photo ID (Driver’s License, Passport, State or Military ID), AND a Secondary ID — some examples include bank-issued ATM or debit cards, major credit cards, utility bills and birth certificates. You’ll also need your Social Security Number (Non-Residents can still apply without a SSN or can use their Individual Tax Reporting Number if they have one), a valid address and phone number, and an initial deposit.
Your new debit card will typically arrive in 5-7 business days. If requested, your PIN is mailed separately from the debit card and both are mailed to the address on file. You can activate your debit card through our Mobile Banking App, at any Santander ATM, with a branch teller, or by calling 877-726-0631.
You may fund your account with a check or by depositing cash. Speak to a banker about the different ways to fund your account.
For determining the availability of your deposits, every day is a Business Day except Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays. If we receive your deposit prior to the applicable cutoff time on a Business Day, we will consider that day to be the day of the deposit.. The first $275 of all checks you deposit on a Business Day will be available no later than the first Business Day after the Business Day we receive your deposit. The remaining funds will be available no later than the second Business Day after the Business Day we receive your deposit. Our full Funds Availability Policy can be found in the Personal Deposit Account Agreement or on our Funds Availability page.
Yes, you can open a joint account at a Santander Bank branch. To add a joint owner to your existing account, all parties must appear together at a Santander branch and will need to bring the following personal information: valid address, phone number, Social Security number, both government-issued ID and secondary form of identification.
Support resources: Checking Accounts
Support resources: Checking Accounts
We’ll guide you on your financial journey.
Santander Mobile Banking App
Learn more about getting started with our highly-rated Mobile Banking App.
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Direct Deposit
Learn more about how direct deposit works, and how to set up deposits directly to your checking account.
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Getting Started with Online Banking
If you haven’t enrolled yet, read this easy step-by-step guide to get started.
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‡Eligible business products include Business Checking, Savings, Money Market Savings, and Certificates of Deposit accounts, but exclude the following accounts: IOLTA, Bankruptcy, Brokered Deposits, Controlled Disbursement, Escrow, Government, and Union accounts.
§Eligible investments held with Santander Investment Services do not include the following: Annuities held at Mass Mutual, Allstate, Phoenix, Ohio National; Immediate Annuities or Annuities that have become annuitized; Mutual funds and 529 products not custodied by National Financial Services LLC; Insurance Products (with the exception of certain annuities held directly with a product sponsor).
1Excludes fees, rebates, or adjustments posted by Santander.
2Domestic ATMs are ATMs in the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. ATM owner may charge a separate fee. See fee schedule for details.
Securities and advisory services are offered through Santander Investment Services, a division of Santander Securities LLC. Santander Securities LLC is a registered broker-dealer, member FINRA and SIPC and a Registered Investment Adviser. Insurance is offered through Santander Securities LLC or its affiliates. Santander Investment Services is an affiliate of Santander Bank, N.A.
| INVESTMENT AND INSURANCE PRODUCTS ARE: | |||||
| NOT FDIC INSURED | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | MAY LOSE VALUE | |||
| NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | ||||
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