---
title: 'Checking (tie): Aspiration Summit'
description: Prefer cash or credit cards to debit? If so, choose Aspiration Summit, one of MONEY's Best Banks, for its checking account.
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published: '2015-10-25T16:26:16.000Z'
modified: '2024-04-16T07:12:22.000Z'
section: Banking
canonical: https://money.com/collection-post/best-checking-bank-account-aspiration-2015/
type: Article
source: structured-blocks
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> **Disclosure:** We may earn a fee if you click on the links below. Compensation does not determine ranking. Not all brands are included. [Learn more](https://money.com/page/disclaimer/).

![BestBanks_Aspiration](https://img.money.com/2015/10/bestbanks_aspiration.png)

*This post was updated on Oct. 27, 2015, to reflect additional information about the account.*

WHY IT'S A WINNER

Aspiration Summit, an FDIC-insured checking account offered by a registered investment adviser, offers high interest rates and excellent ATM terms. (You don’t need an Aspiration investment account to get access.) The account reimburses unlimited third-party ATM fees worldwide and earns you 1% interest if you have $2,500, or 0.25% if you have less.

Note that Aspiration is not a traditional bank: It is a California startup that markets its social consciousness, pledging to give 10% of revenue to charity. And some of the year-old operation’s practices are a departure for the banking world. (More on that below.)

#### Caveats

Prospective customers cannot sign up for an account immediately: After submitting your email address, you'll able to enroll within seven to 14 days, says Aspiration CEO Andrei Cherny. While it charges no maintenance fees, the account has a pay-what-you-want fee structure, and will periodically ask you to make donations of up to $6 per month (you can choose to pay $0).

Aspiration does not currently offer a joint checking account, making BofI the better choice for couples who blend their money. The account also has a standard foreign-transaction fee of 1.1%.

#### Account Terms

[Aspiration Summit](https://www.aspiration.com/summit/)

**Maintenance fee:** $0  
**ATM fee:** $0, with unlimited worldwide reimbursements  
**Interest on $5,000:** 1%

**Here are Money's picks for the Best Stand-Alone Bank Accounts of 2015-2016:**

-   Best Checking (tie): BofI Rewards Checking
-   [Best Checking for Travelers: Schwab](https://money.com/collection-post/best-travelers-checking-bank-account-schwab-2015/)
-   Best Business Checking: Capital One
-   Best Savings: MySavingsDirect
-   Best One-Year CD: CIT Bank
-   [Best Bank Accounts If You're Broke](https://money.com/collection-post/best-banks-low-income-cheap-2015/)

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