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Citibank is a major US bank that was founded in 1812. It is one of the largest global banking groups. It has 1,400 offices in the United States and operates in more than 100 countries.

Its website, www.citibank.com, shows that it offers a range of 6 different checking accounts. I've listed them and their main features below:

1) Citibank EZ Checking
- No monthly fee (as long as you meet direct deposit, bill payment, or minimum balance requirements)

- Unlimited check writing (again subject to the same direct deposit, bill payment, or minimum balance requirements)

(Note: If you don't meet those requirements, a $7.50 or $9.50 monthly fee applies depending on what state you live in, and you will get charged either $0.50 or 1 per check)

2) The Citibank Account
- No monthly fee
- Unlimited check writing
- Need to maintain an average balance of $6,000 across your Citibank accounts

(Note: If you don't maintain that average $6,000 balance, then a $9.50 or $12.50 monthly charge applies and $0.50 per check)

3)Citibank Everything Counts account
- No monthly fee
- Unlimited check writing
- Need to maintain an average balance of $10,000 across your Citibank deposit accounts

(Note: If you don't maintain that average $10,000 balance, then a $25 monthly charge applies and $0.50 per check)

4) Citigold account
This is their Premium package.
- Minimum $500 initial deposit required
- Within 6 months your combined Citibank account balances need to be $100,000, or $250,000 if your Citibank mortgage is included
- If you meet these criteria, they'll waive the $25 monthly maintenance fee
- Preferential rates on selected deposit accounts
- Some banking fees will be waived

5) Citibank Access Account
- No monthly fee provided you use a direct deposit at least once per month
- Otherwise, a $3 monthly fee will apply
- No minimum balance

6) Basic Checking Account
This is their basic banking account.
- No minimum balance
- 'Low' fixed monthly fee that varies by state

All their checking accounts seem to offer these additional benefits:
- Thank You points which you earn through usage of your Citibank accounts and which can then be redeemed.
- free online banking
- e-mail alerts
- free online bill payment (except in certain states)

So, which of these accounts is the best? The answer is it probably depends on your circumstances. The website doesn't make it clear waht interest rate you get with each of these accounts, which is a bad sign. I would always recommend that you look for a checking account that offers a decent interest rate and low monthly fees. Given that I don't have rates information to go by, then the Citibank Access Account looks best to me. I would be wary of accounts that are promoted as 'Premium' or 'Gold' accounts - they tend to be expensive and I also don't like the way the bank imposes minimum balance restrictions. That said, some of the additional features look quite good; especially the Thank You points scheme and the e-mail alerts scheme.

Learn more about this author, Simon Wright.
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