New Grad and Checking Accounts: How to Determine Which One is Right for You
Published on January 2, 2026
•3 min read
You’re a new graduate—those years studying and working hard have paid off and now it’s on to the next chapter: adulthood. Whether you’re heading to college, finishing a college degree, or preparing to jump into the workforce, you’ll need to get your personal finances in order.
But where do you start?
The first thing to do is open a checking account or reevaluate the one you have now.
In this next chapter, you may be moving to a new area or even a new state, so you want a banking institution that you can take with you. With a consistent paycheck coming in, you want to get your money direct deposited (and even utilize an option to get it a few days early). If you’re traveling, you want an account that you can access from anywhere without a penalty.
What to think about when shopping and comparing accounts:
- What institution do I want to use?
- Is location important when it comes to a branch and ATM access?
- What features do they have to their account, and how do they compare to other institutions?
- Are deposits into this institution protected and insured?
- Does this institution offer other products and services that I may need or want?
All checking accounts have features, but some don’t offer a lot, or they don’t have the ones you need. It’s important to knowwhat account can give you the best service.
Some important features your checking account should have include:
- An online banking platform with a mobile app
- Direct deposit capabilities
- Overdraft protection
At Metro Credit Union, for example, we’ve rolled out a brand-new account called Metro Checking that has features aimed at making your personal finances more flexible.
- No minimum balance or monthly fee
- Unlimited ATM fee refunds worldwide*
- Eliminated unnecessary fees
- Bonus rate on your Membership Savings account**
- Metro Rewards points you can redeem for cash back***
- Earn interest on your checking balance over $10,000
We realized with all the checking account options people have, they deserve one that works the way they need it to. It doesn’t penalize you for issues like a returned check or inactivity, it has more flexible overdraft options to help you make it to pay day, and you can access an ATM anywhere without spending a penny in withdrawal fees.
Make sure you take some time to do research and ask questions before moving forward on what account you want to open. At Metro, you can talk to an agent in minutes by accessing our Digital Branch or walking into any of our 18 locations across Massachusetts!
It’s time to get started on your personal finance journey!
*Provided you meet three of the following criteria each month, you may be eligible for unlimited ATM fee refunds: eCommunications Opt-In; Direct Deposit of at least $500.00 per month into your Metro Checking Account; Debit Card purchases at least 5 times per month (each transaction must be for $1.00 or more); Active Metro loan or Metro credit card; Average monthly balance greater than $5,000 in your Metro Checking Account.
**$5.00 minimum deposit to open. One Membership Savings per person. With a qualifying Metro Checking account, bonus rate will be paid on the balance in your savings account up to $3,000.00. Click here for more details. A qualifying Metro Checking account meets at least three of the following criteria each month: direct deposit of at least $500.00, 5 debit card purchases of at least $1.00 each, enrollment in eCommunications, maintaining an active Metro loan or credit card, maintaining an average Metro Checking balance of at least $5,000.00. The rate may change after account opening, is subject to change without notice and is based on daily balances. Rates may change throughout the month and will affect the monthly dividend payment. Funds earn dividends from the first business day of deposit and are compounded and paid monthly.
