Most savings accounts do not come with check-writing ability
You cannot write a check directly from a savings account at most banks. Checks are a feature of checking accounts, not savings accounts. The two are separate products with different rules. If you try to write a check against a savings account, the bank will reject it or the check will bounce.
The reason is regulatory. Federal law limits how many times per month you can withdraw money from a savings account — historically six times, though this rule has loosened in recent years. Checking accounts have no such limit. Checks are considered withdrawals, so banks do not issue them for savings accounts to stay within those limits.
If you need to move money from savings to pay someone by check, you have straightforward options that take minutes.
Key Takeaways
- Savings accounts do not come with checkbooks because federal rules limit how many times you can withdraw from savings each month.
- You can transfer money from savings to a checking account and write the check from there, which takes a few minutes online or at a branch.
- Some banks offer money market accounts or NOW accounts that combine savings features with limited check-writing, though these are less common than they once were.
- If you need to pay someone immediately and cannot access a checking account, a cashier's check or money order drawn from your savings account is a reliable alternative.
Transfer money to checking, then write the check
The simplest path is to move funds from your savings account to your checking account, then write the check. Most banks let you do this instantly through their website or mobile app. Log in, select "Transfer," choose your savings account as the source and your checking account as the destination, enter the amount, and confirm. The money appears in your checking account within minutes, sometimes instantly.
If you are at a branch, you can ask a teller to move the money for you. This takes a few minutes and requires your account numbers or debit card. You can then write the check immediately.
This method works whether you are writing a check to a person, a business, or a government agency. There is no fee for the transfer at most banks, though some charge a small amount if you exceed the monthly withdrawal limit on your savings account.
Money market accounts and NOW accounts with check-writing
Some banks offer money market accounts or NOW accounts (Negotiable Order of Withdrawal) that sit between a savings account and a checking account. These accounts earn interest like a savings account but come with a limited number of checks per month — often three to six — and a debit card.
If you write very few checks and want your money to earn interest, this type of account may suit you. However, these accounts are less common than they once were, and the interest rates are often low. Ask your bank whether they offer them and what the terms are.
The trade-off is that you cannot write unlimited checks from these accounts. If you write more than the allowed number, the bank will charge a fee or reject the check.
Getting a cashier's check or money order from savings
If you need to send a check-like payment but do not have a checking account, you can ask your bank to issue a cashier's check drawn against your savings account. A cashier's check is a check the bank itself writes and guarantees, so the recipient knows the money is there. You pay a small fee — usually $5 to $15 — and the bank deducts the amount from your savings account immediately.
Cashier's checks take a few minutes to issue at a branch. You can also order them online at some banks, though they arrive by mail in a few days. This method works for large payments or when the recipient needs a may provide form of payment.
A money order is another option if the amount is smaller. You can buy a money order at a bank, post office, grocery store, or pharmacy. You pay the amount of the money order plus a small fee, and the seller issues it to you. You then send it to the recipient. Money orders are useful for payments under $1,000 and are accepted almost everywhere checks are.
Why your bank might reject a check written on savings
If you write a check against your savings account and the bank catches it, the check will bounce. The recipient will see the check returned unpaid, and you may face a returned-check fee from your bank — usually $25 to $35. The recipient may also charge you a fee for the bounced check.
Some banks have systems that catch this before the check clears. Others do not, and the check bounces after the recipient tries to deposit it. Either way, the result is the same: the payment fails and fees follow.
To avoid this, do not write checks against a savings account. Use one of the methods above instead.
Switching to a checking account if you write checks regularly
If you find yourself needing to write checks often, opening a checking account makes sense. Most banks offer free or low-cost checking accounts with no minimum balance. You can keep your savings account separate and transfer money to checking as needed, or use both accounts for their intended purposes.
A checking account gives you unlimited check-writing, a debit card, and online bill pay. Many checking accounts also earn a small amount of interest, though usually less than a savings account. The main advantage is that you can write as many checks as you want without hitting a withdrawal limit.
If you already have a savings account at your bank, opening a checking account takes minutes. You can do it online or at a branch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I write a check on my savings account by mistake?
The check will bounce when the recipient tries to deposit it. You will likely face a returned-check fee from your bank and possibly a fee from the recipient as well. Contact your bank immediately to explain the error. Some banks will reverse the fee if it was a one-time mistake, though they are not required to.
Can I write a check if I have both a checking and savings account?
Yes, but only from your checking account. Checks are linked to the account number printed on them. If you write a check from your checking account, it draws from that account. You cannot write a check that pulls from your savings account instead.
Do money market accounts come with checks at every bank?
No. Some banks offer money market accounts with check-writing, but others do not. Ask your bank what accounts they offer and which ones include checks. Many banks have phased out check-writing on money market accounts in recent years.
How long does it take to transfer money from savings to checking so I can write a check?
Most transfers between your own accounts at the same bank happen instantly or within minutes. If you are transferring to a different bank, it may take one to three business days. For immediate payment, transfer within your bank and write the check the same day.
Is there a fee to transfer money from savings to checking?
Most banks do not charge a fee for transfers between your own accounts. However, if you exceed the federal withdrawal limit on your savings account in a month, some banks charge a fee per extra withdrawal. Check your bank's fee schedule to be sure.