Most savings accounts do not come with checks, but you have options
A standard savings account at a bank or credit union does not include a checkbook. Savings accounts are designed for holding money and earning interest, not for frequent withdrawals or payments. If you need to write checks from your savings, you will have to either switch to a checking account, open a checking account alongside your savings account, or use alternative payment methods that your bank offers.
The reason banks separate these products is practical: checking accounts are built for regular transactions and come with overdraft risk, while savings accounts have withdrawal limits and are meant to stay relatively untouched. Some banks will let you link the two accounts so money moves easily between them, but the checks still come from the checking side.
Key Takeaways
- Savings accounts do not come with checks because they are designed for storing money, not frequent payments.
- You can open a checking account at the same bank and transfer money from savings when you need to write a check.
- Some banks offer money market accounts or other hybrid products that may include limited check-writing, though these are less common.
- Debit cards, online transfers, and bill pay are faster alternatives to checks for most transactions from a savings account.
Opening a checking account to write checks from your savings
The most straightforward path is to open a checking account at the same bank where you keep your savings. Most banks let you do this online or at a branch in minutes. You will receive a checkbook within 7 to 10 business days, though many banks now offer temporary digital checks or allow you to order checks immediately online through a third-party printer.
Once you have both accounts, you move money from savings to checking when you need it. Many banks let you link the accounts so a transfer takes seconds through their app or website. Some checking accounts have monthly fees, but many banks waive the fee if you maintain a minimum balance or set up direct deposit. Ask about this when you open the account — the fee structure matters if you plan to keep both accounts long-term.
If you want to avoid a second account entirely, some banks let you write checks directly from a savings account, but this is rare. Call your bank and ask whether they offer this option; if they do, they will send you the paperwork to request it.
Money market accounts and other accounts with check-writing
A money market account is a hybrid product that combines features of savings and checking. It typically earns interest like a savings account but allows you to write a limited number of checks per month — often three to six. Money market accounts usually require a higher minimum balance than savings accounts, sometimes $2,500 or more, and the interest rate varies by bank and current market conditions.
Money market accounts make sense if you write checks occasionally but want to keep most of your money in an interest-bearing account. However, they are less common than they used to be, and not all banks offer them. If your bank does, compare the interest rate, the monthly fee, the number of checks allowed, and the minimum balance requirement against the cost of maintaining both a savings and checking account. The math often favors two separate accounts.
Using alternatives to checks from your savings account
Before you set up a checking account just to write checks, consider whether you actually need them. Most transactions that used to require checks can now be done faster through other methods. A debit card linked to your savings account lets you make purchases and withdraw cash at ATMs. Online bill pay through your bank's website or app sends money directly to a company or person without a check. Wire transfers and ACH transfers move money between bank accounts electronically.
Checks are still necessary in some situations — paying a contractor who does not take cards, sending money to someone without a bank account, or paying a landlord who requires a paper trail. But for everyday bills and purchases, digital methods are faster and leave a clearer record. If you only need checks occasionally, you might not need a full checking account at all.
Ordering checks if you already have a checking account
If you already have a checking account but ran out of checks, you have several options. Your bank can order checks for you, usually within 7 to 10 business days, though they may charge a fee of $10 to $20 per box. Third-party check printers like Deluxe, Costco, or Walmart often print checks faster and cheaper than banks — sometimes within 2 to 3 business days and at half the price.
Many banks now offer temporary digital checks through their app, which you can send immediately to someone's email or phone number. The recipient can deposit the digital check into their own account. This works well for one-off payments and avoids waiting for a physical checkbook to arrive.
What happens if you try to write a check from a savings account
If you write a check against a savings account that does not have check-writing privileges, the check will bounce. The bank will return it unpaid, and you may face a returned-check fee of $25 to $35. The person or business you wrote the check to will also be notified that it bounced, which can damage your reputation and may result in additional fees from them.
Some banks will not even issue you a checkbook for a savings account — they will refuse the request outright. Others will issue one but only if you convert the account to a checking account first. Call your bank before you assume you can write checks from savings; do not find out the hard way by writing a check that bounces.
Comparing the cost of a checking account versus alternatives
Whether opening a checking account makes financial sense depends on the fees involved. Many banks offer free checking with no minimum balance, especially if you set up direct deposit or keep a small balance. Others charge $5 to $15 per month. Over a year, that adds up — $10 per month is $120 annually.
If you only need to write a few checks per year, it may be cheaper to use a money market account, order checks from a third-party printer and use digital transfers for everything else, or ask the person you are paying whether they accept other methods. If you write checks regularly or need the convenience of a linked account, a free checking account is the practical choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I write checks directly from my savings account?
Most banks do not allow this. Savings accounts are not designed for check-writing. You will need to open a checking account or use a money market account that includes limited check-writing privileges. Call your bank to ask whether they offer check-writing on savings accounts; it is uncommon but possible at some institutions.
How long does it take to get a checkbook?
A standard checkbook from your bank takes 7 to 10 business days. Third-party printers can deliver checks in 2 to 3 business days and often cost less. Many banks also offer temporary digital checks through their app that you can send immediately.
Will I be charged a fee to open a checking account?
Most banks do not charge a fee to open a checking account. However, some charge a monthly maintenance fee of $5 to $15, which may be waived if you maintain a minimum balance or set up direct deposit. Ask about the fee structure before you open the account.
What should I do if I only need to write one or two checks?
Consider using a digital check through your bank's app, which you can send immediately. If that is not an option, order checks from a third-party printer — they are cheaper and faster than bank-ordered checks. You do not need a full checking account for occasional check-writing.
Can I transfer money from savings to checking to write a check?
Yes. If you have both accounts at the same bank, you can transfer money from savings to checking in seconds through the app or website, then write a check from the checking account. Most banks link these accounts automatically, making transfers seamless.