U.S. Bank

Linking an outside account for visibility is a separate task from making a transfer. From U.S. Bank’s Accounts dashboard, choose Link external accounts, select or search for the institution, and enter that account’s login details. A successful connection adds its balance and transactions to the dashboard.

Saving goals organise progress by purpose, such as travel or an emergency fund. The savings tools can set money aside weekly, with a paycheck or with purchases. Custom account alerts can focus on balance thresholds, larger deposits or withdrawals, and new statements. Check deposit uses the mobile app rather than the browser.

Bank Smartly Checking

Opening requires a US$25 deposit after approval. The US$12 monthly maintenance fee is waived for the first two statement periods. Continuing waiver routes include a US$1,500 average account balance or US$1,500 in monthly direct deposits. Customers aged 13 to 24 or 65 and over, military members and certain other eligible groups also qualify; specified credit-card, business-account or rewards relationships provide further routes.

The balance test uses the average of each day’s closing balance across the statement period. It is different from requiring every day’s balance to remain above the threshold.

Getting digital access

For personal online-banking enrolment, have a U.S. Bank card or account number, PIN and Social Security number ready. A new checking-account application also requires personal identification. For an online joint application, select Joint, then Yes to add a co-applicant’s name, email and phone number. All joint owners must attend if opening at a branch.