Most savings accounts do not come with checks, but you can order them
A standard savings account at a bank does not include a checkbook. Savings accounts are designed for money you keep rather than spend regularly, so banks typically do not print checks for them. If you want to write checks from a savings account, you will need to order them separately — and some banks will not print them at all, regardless of what you request.
The reason matters: checks are a payment method that moves money out of an account, and banks treat savings accounts differently from checking accounts for regulatory reasons. A federal rule called Regulation D once limited how many times per month you could withdraw money from a savings account. That rule changed in 2020, but the habit stuck — most banks still do not issue checks for savings accounts because they expect you to use a checking account for regular payments instead.
If your bank does allow savings account checks, you order them the same way you would for a checking account: through your bank's website, by phone, or in person at a branch. The checks will have your savings account number printed on them, and they will draw directly from your savings balance when the person who receives them deposits or cashes them.
Key Takeaways
- Most banks do not offer checks for savings accounts because savings accounts are meant for money you keep, not spend regularly.
- Some banks will print savings account checks if you request them, but others refuse to issue them under any circumstances.
- If your bank allows them, you order savings account checks through online banking, by phone, or at a branch, and they work like any other check.
- Checks drawn on a savings account take the same time to clear as checks drawn on a checking account — usually one to three business days.
Which banks will and will not print savings account checks
Large national banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo do not print checks for savings accounts. They will tell you no if you ask, and they do not make exceptions. Their position is that a checking account exists for this purpose, and they want to keep the two products separate.
Some smaller banks and credit unions are more flexible. A few will print savings account checks if you request them, though they may charge a fee or require you to meet certain conditions — like maintaining a minimum balance or having a checking account with them as well. The only way to know what your specific bank will do is to call them or check your account agreement.
If your bank refuses to print checks for your savings account, you have two alternatives: open a checking account at the same bank (which takes a few minutes online or at a branch), or use other payment methods like transfers, debit cards, or bill pay to move money out of savings when you need to.
How long it takes for a savings account check to clear
A check written on a savings account clears on the same timeline as a check written on a checking account. When someone deposits or cashes your check, their bank sends it through the clearing system, which typically takes one to three business days. Your bank will deduct the amount from your savings balance once the check clears, not when you write it.
This matters if you are counting on that money to stay in your account. If you write a check on Monday but the person does not deposit it until Friday, the money is still yours until Friday. If you withdraw it before then, the check may bounce when it arrives at the other bank — meaning the payment will fail and you may be charged a fee.
Some banks offer expedited clearing for checks, which means they deduct the amount from your account when ready when you write it rather than waiting for the check to actually clear. Ask your bank whether they do this for savings account checks, because it changes how you need to manage your balance.
Why a checking account is usually the better choice
If you find yourself writing checks regularly, you should probably have a checking account instead of trying to use a savings account. Checking accounts are designed for frequent transactions, and they come with checks included or available at low cost. Most checking accounts also come with a debit card, online bill pay, and the ability to set up automatic payments — none of which work the same way from a savings account.
Savings accounts have lower interest rates than checking accounts in exchange for the assumption that you will not touch the money often. If you are writing checks frequently, you are not using the account the way it was designed, and you are probably losing money on interest by keeping active spending money in savings rather than checking.
Many banks let you have both a checking and a savings account at the same time, and you can transfer money between them when ready online. This is the standard setup: keep your regular spending money in checking, and keep your savings in a separate account where it earns interest and stays out of your daily spending.
What happens if a savings account check bounces
If you write a check on your savings account and there is not enough money in the account when the check arrives at the bank, the check will bounce. The person who tried to cash or deposit it will be notified that the payment failed, and you will be charged a non-sufficient funds fee — usually between $25 and $35, depending on your bank.
The person who received the check may also charge you a fee for the bounced check, and if it was a bill payment, your service may be interrupted or reported to a collection agency. Bounced checks can damage your banking history and make it harder to open accounts at other banks in the future.
To avoid this, keep track of checks you have written the same way you would for a checking account: subtract them from your balance as soon as you write them, not when they clear. If you are not sure how much money is in your account, check your balance online or by phone before writing a check.
Using other payment methods from your savings account instead
If your bank will not print checks for your savings account, or if you do not want to wait for checks to arrive, you have faster alternatives. Most banks let you transfer money from savings to checking when ready through online banking, and then pay from checking using a debit card, bill pay, or automatic payment.
You can also use ACH transfers to send money directly from your savings account to another person's bank account, though this usually takes one to three business days and requires you to know their account number and routing number. Some banks offer wire transfers, which are faster but more expensive — usually $15 to $30 per transfer.
For regular bills, set up automatic payments or bill pay through your bank's website. You can pay directly from your savings account without writing a check, and the payment goes out on the date you choose. This is faster and more reliable than checks, and it leaves a clear record in your online banking history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I write checks on a savings account if my bank does not offer them?
No. If your bank refuses to print checks for savings accounts, you cannot write them, even if you have the account number. Your only option is to open a checking account or use another payment method like transfers or bill pay.
Will a check written on a savings account clear faster or slower than a check from checking?
At the same speed. The clearing system does not distinguish between checking and savings accounts — both take one to three business days. The difference is only in whether your bank deducts the money when ready or waits for the check to actually clear.
What if I need to write a check but my bank will not print them for savings accounts?
Transfer money from savings to a checking account online (usually when ready), then write the check from checking. Alternatively, use bill pay or an ACH transfer to send money directly without a check. Both are faster than waiting for a check to clear.
Do savings account checks cost more than checking account checks?
It depends on your bank. Some charge the same price for both, some charge more for savings account checks, and some straightforward refuse to print them. Call your bank or check your fee schedule to find out what they charge.
Can someone else cash a check written on my savings account?
Yes. A check is a check — the person who receives it can deposit it at their bank or cash it at a check-cashing service, just like any other check. The money comes out of your savings account when it clears, regardless of who wrote it.