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Wealth psychology expert and coach Kathleen Burns Kingsbury, founder of KBK Wealth Connection and host of the Breaking Money Silence podcast, is an internationally published author and speaker. As an expert on financial psychology, Kathleen has appeared on television and her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, "PBS NewsHour," Money magazine, Today Money, Forbes and CNBC. Kathleen served as an adjunct faculty member at the McCallum Graduate School at Bentley University from 2009 to 2019 and currently teaches at Champlain College.
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Assigning Editor Yuliya Goldshteyn
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Yuliya Goldshteyn is a former banking editor at NerdWallet. She previously worked as an editor, a writer and a research analyst in industries ranging from health care to market research. She earned a bachelor's degree in history from the University of California, Berkeley and a master's degree in social sciences from the University of Chicago, with a focus on Soviet cultural history. She is based in Portland, Oregon.
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A cashier’s check is a check drawn from the bank’s own funds, not yours, and signed by a cashier or teller. Unlike a regular check, the bank, not the check writer, guarantees payment of a cashier’s check. A cashier's check can also be called an official check.
Cashier’s checks are good for large purchases, such as a car or house sale, when you likely can't use a debit or credit card, and using cash is risky. These checks have extra security features — such as watermarks and sometimes signatures by two bank employees — that make counterfeiting more difficult. So when you purchase one from a bank or credit union, all parties can be confident that the transaction is secure and the risk of theft or fraud is minimal.
Most banks and credit unions offer cashier's checks to their customers, sometimes for a fee. See below for how non-customers can get a cashier's check .
Cash Management Money Market Learn MoreSoFi Checking and Savings
SoFi members with Direct Deposit or $5,000 or more in Qualifying Deposits during the 30-Day Evaluation Period can earn 4.50% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. Members without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits, during the 30-Day Evaluation Period will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Only SoFi members with direct deposit are eligible for other SoFi Plus benefits. Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 8/27/2024. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at http://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
Min. balance for APY Learn MoreEverBank Performance℠ Savings
Min. balance for APY Learn MoreBarclays Tiered Savings Account
Min. balance for APYThese cash accounts combine services and features similar to checking, savings and/or investment accounts in one product. Cash management accounts are typically offered by non-bank financial institutions.
These cash accounts combine services and features similar to checking, savings and/or investment accounts in one product. Cash management accounts are typically offered by non-bank financial institutions.
Learn Moreon Wealthfront's website
Wealthfront Cash Account
Min. balance for APY Learn Moreon Betterment's website
Betterment Cash Reserve – Paid non-client promotion
*Current promotional rate; annual percentage yield (variable) is 5.50% as of 4/2/24, plus a .50% boost available as a special offer with qualifying deposit. Terms apply; if the base APY increases or decreases, you’ll get the .75% boost on the updated rate. Cash Reserve is only available to clients of Betterment LLC, which is not a bank; cash transfers to program banks conducted through clients’ brokerage accounts at Betterment Securities.
Min. balance for APYCDs (certificates of deposit) are a type of savings account with a fixed rate and term, and usually have higher interest rates than regular savings accounts.
CDs (certificates of deposit) are a type of savings account with a fixed rate and term, and usually have higher interest rates than regular savings accounts.
Read reviewMarcus by Goldman Sachs High-Yield CD
4.70% APY (annual percentage yield) as of 08/30/2024
Federally insured by NCUA
Alliant Credit Union Certificate
Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 08/20/2024
Checking accounts are used for day-to-day cash deposits and withdrawals. Checking accounts are used for day-to-day cash deposits and withdrawals.
Discover® Cashback Debit
Chase Total Checking®
Deposits are FDIC Insured
Chime Checking Account
Monthly fee Money market accounts pay rates similar to savings accounts and have some checking features. Money market accounts pay rates similar to savings accounts and have some checking features.
Discover® Money Market Account
Most banks and credit unions offer cashier's checks to their customers, though some might also offer this service to non-customers. Here's how to get a cashier's check:
Have the exact amount, the recipient's name and personal identification ready. Cashier's checks are drawn on a financial institution's funds, but you supply the check amount (in the form of cash or as a withdrawal from your account) to your bank ahead of time. You’ll also need the name of the "payee," the business or person you are paying, since you can't get a blank cashier's check. You should have your ID ready, too; the teller will probably ask to see it.
Visit a nearby branch and request the check from a teller. Some banks, especially online-focused ones, might also allow you to order a cashier's check online or by phone. In those cases, a cashier's check would then be mailed to your recipient, which takes longer. If you need the check that day, visit a branch if your bank has one, or find a bank or credit union that accepts non-customers.
Pay the check amount plus any applicable fee. If the funds are in an account at that institution, the full amount of the check will be frozen in your account or withdrawn when the check is issued. Make sure you have enough in the account to pay any fee as well. If the bank gives checks to non-customers, you’ll typically pay in cash. The teller will issue and sign the cashier's check.
Get a receipt. Ask for a receipt as proof of payment. You might be able to use this to track the check to know if it’s been cashed or in case you lose it.
If you don't have a checking account at a bank or credit union, you might need to open one. Banks and credit unions are the only institutions that can issue cashier's checks, and many don’t provide them to non-customers. Call a bank or credit union branch near you to inquire if you can get a cashier’s check as a non-customer. If opening a bank account isn't practical, a money order might be your next-best option.
» In the market for a bank? See the best checking accounts
Many banks and credit unions offer cashier's checks though some differ on terminology, calling them “official checks.” Ask your financial institution for availability and pricing. Some financial institutions offer reduced fees or no fees for certain account holders . Many sell them only to account holders.
Here's a list of cashier's check fees at popular banks.
