Monitoring your checking account balance can mean knowing you have enough to pay upcoming bills and cover everyday expenses. Checking your balance is usually easy, and there are several ways to do it, though the type of bank you use (online or brick-and-mortar) may impact your options.
Let’s learn more about how to check your bank account balance and how often you should do it.
Ways to see your checking account balance
There are a few ways to check your balance. You can see how much you have in your checking account on your bank’s website, via your bank’s app, at an ATM, with a bank teller, by viewing your statement or over the phone.
On your bank’s website
Most banks offer online banking through their website. To check your checking account balance online, simply log in to your account using your username and password. Once you’re logged in, navigate to the section that shows your account balances.
For example, if you have a Citi® checking account, you can go to citi.com/login to check your account balance.
On your bank’s app
Many banks have mobile apps that let you check your checking account balance on the go. To get started, you need to download the app and log in with your banking credentials. Depending on your bank, you may be asked to verify your identity using a code that’s texted to your phone or via biometric data, like your face or fingerprint. Your checking account balance may be displayed on the dashboard, or you may have to navigate to the account.
The Citi Mobile® App, for example, is available on both iPhone and Android phones. It also comes with Citi Mobile Snapshot, which gives you instant access to your bank and credit card account summary without signing on every time.
At an ATM
You can also check your checking account balance at an ATM. To do this, insert your debit or ATM card, enter your PIN and select the option to view your balance. There’s typically no fee if you use an ATM from your bank’s network to view your balance. However, using an out-of-network ATM may incur a fee.
With a bank teller
If you have an account with a brick-and-mortar bank, you may check your checking account balance by visiting a branch location and speaking to a teller. They may ask you to present your debit card to help verify your identity.
On your bank statement
Your checking account balance will typically also be available on your bank statement, which can be sent to you by mail or viewed on your bank’s website or mobile app. This statement displays your account activity, including your balance as of your statement closing date. That figure may not reflect recent transactions.
By calling your bank
You can usually call your bank’s customer service line to check your balance. The number may be listed on your debit or ATM card. Otherwise, you may find it on your bank’s online contact page. You may have to verify your identity by providing your account number or answering a security question.
Reasons to monitor your checking account balance
Regularly monitoring your checking account balance can help you stay on top of your finances, offering benefits such as:
- Helping ensure checks will clear: By keeping an eye on your balance, you can confirm there’s enough money in your account to cover any checks you’ve written. This helps to prevent issues like bounced checks and non-sufficient funds (NSF) fees.
- Paying bills and credit cards on time: Planning around your bill and credit card payment due dates is easier if you know how much money you have at any given time.
- Avoiding overdraft fees or declined transactions: If you try to withdraw money or make a purchase you don’t have funds to cover, the transaction may be declined. It may be approved if you have overdraft protection, but you may incur fees. Knowing how much you have in your checking account can help to prevent both declined transactions and overdrafts.
- Shaping transfer decisions: If you notice your balance has grown, for example, it may be a good time to transfer extra funds into a savings account.
How often should you check your checking account balance?
The frequency with which you should check your checking account balance depends on your circumstances. Some people may prefer to check their balance daily to stay on top of transactions and avoid overdrafts, while others find that a weekly or monthly check is right for their needs. It can also be a good idea to check your balance before making large purchases, paying bills or transferring funds to ensure you have enough money available.
Ultimately, the key is to monitor your balance as often as is necessary to help manage your finances and avoid unexpected fees.
Disclosure: This article is for general educational purposes. It is not intended to provide financial advice. It also is not intended to completely describe any Citi product or service. You should refer to the terms and conditions financial institutions provide for various products.
