Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own. Advertiser disclosure

Best Joint Bank Accounts for Married and Unmarried Couples

Compare the best joint checking and savings accounts for people with shared finances, married or not.

You don’t need to be married (or even dating) to open a joint bank account. Married and unmarried couples alike can open a joint bank account. A joint checking or savings account can make financial management easier as a couple. Roommates, business partners, or parents and their kids can open joint accounts together, too.

We’ve researched and analyzed over 400 joint accounts, and here are eight of the best.

8 best joint bank accounts

Best overall

SoFi Checking and Savings

9 Excellent

Get up to $300 cash bonus with qualifying direct deposit. Terms apply. This offer is available until January 31, 2026.
Go to site
on SoFi's secure site
Read review
APYUp to 3.80%
Fee$0 per month
Minimum deposit to open$0

Best for kids

Greenlight

9.2 Excellent

Finder Award

Go to site Read review
Fee$5.99 per month
ATM withdrawal$0

Best joint business account

Relay

9.6 Excellent

Go to site Read review
APYUp to 3.76%
Fee$0 per month
Minimum deposit to open$0

Best for couples

Zeta

8.6 Great

Read review
APY2.20%
FeeFrom $0 per month
Minimum deposit to open$0

Best for joint savings

Ivella

9.2 Excellent

APYUp to 5.15%
FeeFrom $0

Best for joint checking

Ally Bank Spending Account

8.6 Great

APYUp to 0.25%
Fee$0 per month
Minimum deposit to open$0

Best joint credit card

Discover it® Secured

8.8 Great

Welcome OfferOther
RewardsUp to 2% cash back
Annual fee$0
Minimum credit score300

Best for roommates

Quontic Cash Rewards Checking

Fee$0 per month
Minimum deposit to open$100

Methodology

Finder’s banking experts research over 400 bank accounts to find the best joint account options. We compare checking, saving, business and kids’ bank accounts to find the best in the current market and update our best picks regularly. We also favor accounts with no monthly fees, no opening deposit requirements, and accounts with joint-specific features such as in-app chats, shared savings goals and budgeting.

How do joint bank accounts work?

Joint bank accounts work just like regular bank accounts — the main difference is that two or more people share the account. For joint checking, each owner gets their own debit card and can access the funds. Both owners are responsible for fees incurred, like overdraft charges, so you should only open a joint bank account with someone you trust.

Although they typically allow up to two account holders, some providers allow three or more people. Most joint accounts give owners equal access, but some banks allow you to add restrictions, such as requiring dual signatures for withdrawals or closures — a particularly common restriction with joint business bank accounts.

How to open a joint bank account

The application process for a joint bank account is nearly the same as opening an account on your own.

You do not need to be related or married to someone to open a joint account with them. To apply for a joint bank account, you and the other intended owner(s) need to show proof of identity and address, provide other contact information and meet deposit requirements, if applicable.

However, some banks don’t allow you to open a joint account unless you already have an existing account with that bank. Some traditional banks might require you to visit a branch to verify the person you’re adding to the account.

Are joint accounts a good idea?

Joint bank accounts are a great way for spouses and life partners to manage expenses and get on the same page financially. Each joint owner has equal access to the funds, deposits and transaction history.

With two owners, there are two eyes on the account. Both owners can track of spending and budget, deposit funds, withdraw funds or pay bills. Joint accounts can also be great for roommates, business partners, family members who share expenses, unmarried life partners, or caregivers who manage someone else’s finances.

Whoever you choose to get a joint account with, trust is key — co-owners of a joint bank account have equal access to the funds unless set up otherwise.

On that same note, even if you are married, you don’t have access to your spouse’s individual bank account unless they have given you authorization to access it. Having a joint account with your spouse means you both can access the funds in that joint account, but individual accounts stay seperate unless special permissions are given.

Be sure to read through your bank’s terms, and talk with your future joint owner so you’re both at a clear understanding.

Joint accounts for kids

Joint accounts are also a great idea for parents, as they can open a joint bank account with their kids to monitor their spending and teach them how to manage their money. Parents can also open a shared savings account to set their child up for later.

A photo of bethanyhickey

Expert tip: How FDIC insurance works with joint accounts

Each co-owner of a joint account is insured up to $250,000 for the combined amount of their funds in all joint accounts at the same institution, according to the FDIC. Simply put, this means you and each joint owner are individually insured up to $250,000. Insurance covers the depositor (you), not the account. If you and one co-owner pool over $500,000 in one bank, consider spreading out funds for full deposit insurance coverage.

— Bethany Hickey, Banking editor.

Bottom line

Joint bank accounts are great for couples and can also help anyone looking to share or manage expenses with multiple people. Regardless of where you open your joint checking or savings account, be sure you and the co-owner trust each other.

Alexa Serrano Cruz's headshot
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Alexa Serrano Cruz as part of our fact-checking process.
Bethany Hickey's headshot
Written by

Banking editor

Bethany Hickey is the banking editor and personal finance expert at Finder, specializing in banking, lending, insurance, and crypto. Bethany’s expertise in personal finance has garnered recognition from esteemed media outlets, such as Nasdaq, MSN, Yahoo Finance, GOBankingRates, SuperMoney, AOL and Newsweek. Her articles offer practical financial strategies to Americans, empowering them to make decisions that meet their financial goals. Her past work includes articles on generational spending and saving habits, lending, budgeting and managing debt. Before joining Finder, she was a content manager where she wrote hundreds of articles and news pieces on auto financing and credit repair for CarsDirect, Auto Credit Express and The Car Connection, among others. Bethany holds a BA in English from the University of Michigan-Flint, and was poetry editor for the university’s Qua Literary and Fine Arts Magazine. See full bio

Bethany's expertise
Bethany has written 431 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Personal finance
  • Banking
  • Auto loans
  • Insurance
  • Cryptocurrency and NFTs

Ask a question

Finder.com provides guides and information on a range of products and services. Because our content is not financial advice, we suggest talking with a professional before you make any decision.

By submitting your comment or question, you agree to our Privacy and Cookies Policy and finder.com Terms of Use.

Questions and responses on finder.com are not provided, paid for or otherwise endorsed by any bank or brand. These banks and brands are not responsible for ensuring that comments are answered or accurate.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

32 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    DaebiJanuary 30, 2019

    Can a debit card be issued for a JOINT ACCOUNT to both of the persons holding the account?

      Finder
      JhezelynJanuary 31, 2019Finder

      Hello Daebi,

      Thank you for your comment.

      If you’re referring to having each of them hold a physical card, yes, if it’s a joint account, each account holder can have a debit card.

      Regards,
      Jhezelyn

    Default Gravatar
    JassyJanuary 9, 2019

    If A and B open a join account , can We set the case as shown :
    A can withdraw any time without B acknowledgment but the B must need the A to be present , isn’t possible?

      Default Gravatar
      nikkiangcoJanuary 10, 2019

      Hi Jassy,

      Thanks for getting in touch! The rules and restrictions of joint accounts will depend on where you’re opening it. Check with your bank how you can set the rules. Essentially, all parties are allowed to make changes and be notified of account activities. Hope this clarifies!

      Best,
      Nikki

    Default Gravatar
    bonnieJanuary 7, 2019

    A halfway house is telling my son he has to open a new joint account with thier name on it …. is this leagal

      Default Gravatar
      nikkiangcoJanuary 8, 2019

      Hi Bonnie,

      Thanks for getting in touch!

      Generally, a halfway house may authorize an inmate to have a savings account and a debit card but it does not necessarily have to be a joint account with them.

      You may want to speak with the Case Manager of the halfway house about this matter so they can explain the reason behind the need for a joint account with your son. You may also contact the Federal Bureau of Prisons so they can address your concerns.

      Hope this is helpful. Don’t hesitate to message us back if you have more questions.

      Best,
      Nikki

    Default Gravatar
    KenNovember 27, 2018

    In a joint savings or checking account, I assume that the bank requires the social security numbers of both parties. So, how does the bank decide which party should be responsible for taxes on income earned in the account? Which party receives the Form 1099 and whose security social number will be one it?

      Default Gravatar
      nikkiangcoNovember 28, 2018

      Hi Ken,

      Thanks for getting in touch! Since this is a joint account, both account holders will be asked for their tax identification number, therefore, both parties will be subject to taxes for income earned in the account. Both you will receive a Form 1099 and both social security numbers will be recorded as well. I hope this helps and let me know if you have questions.

      Cheers,
      Nikki

    Default Gravatar
    AnonymousNovember 5, 2018

    If you open a joint account, will the other person also receive a card in the mail?

      Finder
      JhezelynNovember 5, 2018Finder

      Hello,

      Thank you for your comment.

      Yes, usually the bank can provide you two cards. The first one is free on which you get after account opening. The second one which you are asking is called ADD ON card. For that, you just need to fill a form. Please note that the second card is chargeable. After one year of completion of account, both the cards are annually chargeable. Best to verify with your bank.

      Should you wish to have real-time answers to your questions, try our chat box on the lower right corner of our page.

      Regards,
      Jhezelyn

More guides on Finder

Go to site