Free. Secure. Easy banking at your fingertips.

The Patelco Free Checking account is a no frills, no strings attached, truly free checking account.

You can save more with no monthly fees, no monthly maintenance fees or minimum balance requirements. If only everything in life was as straightforward as the Patelco free checking account.

Plus, payday can come even sooner when you set up direct deposit for your account. Get paid up to two days early —without an additional fee.

It takes minutes to open a Patelco Free Checking account. To join Patelco, you'll need A Social Security number (or acceptable government-issued document showing your Tax Identification Number), driver’s license or government ID and your current home address.

Free Checking. Always free, always easy.

Get Paid Early with Direct Deposit1

Set up Direct Deposit and access your funds up to 2 days early

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No Overdraft Fee2

Cover unexpected shortage of funds in your account for up to $500 with Instant BackUp. No credit check needed

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Top-rated Mobile App

Access your accounts on the go

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Debit Mastercard® Card

Pay with confidence with Digital Wallets and Zero Liability Protection

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Send Money with Ease

Choose from Zelle®, Bill Pay, wire transfers and more

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30,000+ Fee-Free ATMs

Find one near you on our Mobile App

Frequently Asked Questions

Pay with Ease and Confidence

Your Patelco checking account comes with a free Debit Mastercard® that lets you make purchases easily and securely:

  • Secure, contactless purchases with Debit Mastercard
  • Load your card to Apple Pay®, Google Pay®, or Samsung Pay®
  • Zero Liability and Extended Warranty on purchases
  • Mastercard Global Service™ emergency card replacement
  • Overdraft protection link to a credit line or a Patelco account
A Patelco Mastercard debit card.

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October 29, 2019

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Open your account in minutes
A better financial life starts with a Patelco Checking account.

1 Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the receipt of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.

2 You must enroll in Instant BackUp on your checking account to receive overdraft coverage up to $500. You’ll pay interest only on the amount you borrowed for the amount of time it’s outstanding. Talk to our Patelco team for assistance and learn more here. No overdraft fees applies to checking accounts opened after 04/05/23.

Mastercard and Mastercard Global Service are registered trademarks, and the circles design is a trademark, of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Zelle and the Zelle-related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.