Tennessee Best Checking Accounts & Rates September 2026
Brian McKay
Brian McKay
Founder & Data Architect- Automated Online Rate Data Aggregation
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The best checking rates for Tennessee include Hope Federal Credit Union Jackson, MSHope Federal Credit Union Jackson, MS1451 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN 38104A5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 6.51% HOPE Rewards Checking and Checking Plus Accounts at 5.13% APY, Wayne County BankWayne County Bank216 S High St, Waynesboro, TN 38485A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 4.26% Kasasa Cash Checking at 5.00% APY, Orion Federal Credit UnionOrion Federal Credit Union3155 Millbranch Rd, Memphis, TN 38116 1917A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 2.45% Premium Checking Accounts at 5.00% APY, FedTrust Federal Credit UnionFedTrust Federal Credit Union167 N Main St Ste 102, Memphis, TN 38103 1867A4.9 ★Texas Ratio: 8.25% Rewards Checking at 4.59% APY, and Old Hickory Credit UnionOld Hickory Credit Union1401 W Main St, Lebanon, TN 37087A+5.0 ★Texas Ratio: 4.33% Kasasa Cash Checking at 4.50% APY. Checking account rates as of September 21, 2026 according to verified data from MonitorBankRates.
Use the tabs below to compare checking account rates across Tennessee side-by-side. Tennessee checking rates currently reach as high as 5.13% APY from Hope Federal Credit Union Jackson, MS at 1451 Madison Ave, Memphis, TN, 38104. Rates are continually updated, so we recommend checking back frequently.
Checking account rates reflect recent market quotes and representative offers available to depositors in Tennessee. Checking Account Rates Last Updated and Verified: September 21, 2026
Compare Checking Account Rates Today in Tennessee
Tennessee Checking Account Rates
Memphis, TN 38104
Qualifications Required: Qualifications Required; Balance: $0.01 - $10,000.00; Balance: $0.01 - $10,000.00
Waynesboro, TN 38485
Qualifications Required: 1 direct deposit or ACH credit; 12 debit card purchases; e-statements enrollment; online banking enrollment/login; Balance: 0 - $15,000
Memphis, TN 38116 1917
Balance: $0 to $10,000
Memphis, TN 38103 1867
Balance: $500 - $19,999.99
Lebanon, TN 37087
Qualifications Required: 1 direct deposit or ACH credit; 12 debit card purchases; Be enrolled in and agree to receive e-statements; Be enrolled in and log into online banking; APY on balances as much as $10,000
Nashville, TN 37203
Qualifications Required: 1 direct deposit or ACH credit; 12 debit card purchases; e-statements enrollment; online banking enrollment/login; Balance: 0 - $10,000
Savannah, TN 38372
Balance: 0 - $50,000; Qualifications Required; Rate applies to balances up to $50,000.00
Memphis, TN 38125 2376
N/A
Knoxville, TN 37912
Qualifications Required: 15 debit card transactions; Log in to online/mobile banking at least once; Receive eStatements; Have direct deposit.; Premium rate of 3.50% APY is earned on balances between $500.00 and $10,000.00. When the account is closed, 0.15% APY applies for the month the account is closed.
Gray, TN 37615
Qualifications Required: based on qualifying criteria**; Average daily balance; based on qualifying criteria**
Clinton, TN 37716 3943
Balances $0.01-$5,000; See Disclosure section below for details.
Mcminnville, TN 37110
Qualifications Required: At least one Direct Deposit or authorize one automatic payment that posts and settles; Receive Electronic Statements (valid e-mail address is required); Make 15 debit card purchases that posts and settles (NOTE: ATM withdrawals & transfers between accounts with us do not qualify); Balance: $0.01 - $20,000.00; ATM fee reimbursement if qualifications are met; $5 monthly fee if eStatements not enrolled
Tullahoma, TN 37388
No additional details provided.
Seymour, TN 37865 4730
Qualifications Required: At least $500 in direct deposits; 10 or more debit card purchases each month; enrolled in e-statements; Balance: $0 - $10,000; Earns rewards. To qualify, you must receive at least $500 in direct deposits, make 10 or more debit card purchases each month, and be enrolled in e-statements. If any of these qualifications are not met, the account will earn the standard share dividend rate.
Columbia, TN 38401 4826
Balance: $50,000+
Gray, TN 37615
Balance: $100,001+
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Balance: 0 - $25,000
Johnson City, TN 37601
Qualifying balance up to $250,000.00
Savannah, TN 38372
Balance: $0 - $50,000
Columbia, TN 38401 4826
Balance: $10,000-$49,999.99
Tennessee High Yield Checking Rates
Memphis, TN 38104
Qualifications Required: Qualifications Required; Balance: $0.01 - $10,000.00; Balance: $0.01 - $10,000.00
Waynesboro, TN 38485
Qualifications Required: 1 direct deposit or ACH credit; 12 debit card purchases; e-statements enrollment; online banking enrollment/login; Balance: 0 - $15,000
Memphis, TN 38116 1917
Balance: $0 to $10,000
Memphis, TN 38103 1867
Balance: $500 - $19,999.99
Lebanon, TN 37087
Qualifications Required: 1 direct deposit or ACH credit; 12 debit card purchases; Be enrolled in and agree to receive e-statements; Be enrolled in and log into online banking; APY on balances as much as $10,000
Nashville, TN 37203
Qualifications Required: 1 direct deposit or ACH credit; 12 debit card purchases; e-statements enrollment; online banking enrollment/login; Balance: 0 - $10,000
Savannah, TN 38372
Balance: 0 - $50,000; Qualifications Required; Rate applies to balances up to $50,000.00
Memphis, TN 38125 2376
N/A
Knoxville, TN 37912
Qualifications Required: 15 debit card transactions; Log in to online/mobile banking at least once; Receive eStatements; Have direct deposit.; Premium rate of 3.50% APY is earned on balances between $500.00 and $10,000.00. When the account is closed, 0.15% APY applies for the month the account is closed.
Gray, TN 37615
Qualifications Required: based on qualifying criteria**; Average daily balance; based on qualifying criteria**
Clinton, TN 37716 3943
Balances $0.01-$5,000; See Disclosure section below for details.
Mcminnville, TN 37110
Qualifications Required: At least one Direct Deposit or authorize one automatic payment that posts and settles; Receive Electronic Statements (valid e-mail address is required); Make 15 debit card purchases that posts and settles (NOTE: ATM withdrawals & transfers between accounts with us do not qualify); Balance: $0.01 - $20,000.00; ATM fee reimbursement if qualifications are met; $5 monthly fee if eStatements not enrolled
Seymour, TN 37865 4730
Qualifications Required: At least $500 in direct deposits; 10 or more debit card purchases each month; enrolled in e-statements; Balance: $0 - $10,000; Earns rewards. To qualify, you must receive at least $500 in direct deposits, make 10 or more debit card purchases each month, and be enrolled in e-statements. If any of these qualifications are not met, the account will earn the standard share dividend rate.
Columbia, TN 38401 4826
Balance: $50,000+
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Balance: 0 - $25,000
Johnson City, TN 37601
Qualifying balance up to $250,000.00
Savannah, TN 38372
Balance: $0 - $50,000
Columbia, TN 38401 4826
Balance: $10,000-$49,999.99
Lynchburg, TN 37352
Qualifications Required: At least 10 debit card purchases post and clear; At least one ACH debit or ACH credit post and clear per monthly qualification cycle; Receive eStatement; Tier 1: Daily balance $0 to $25,000.00; APY for this tier will range from 1.51% to 0.79%, depending on the balance in the account.
Greeneville, TN 37745
Balance: $1,500.00 and above
Tennessee Rewards Checking Rates
Memphis, TN 38104
Qualifications Required: Qualifications Required; Balance: $0.01 - $10,000.00; Balance: $0.01 - $10,000.00
Waynesboro, TN 38485
Qualifications Required: 1 direct deposit or ACH credit; 12 debit card purchases; e-statements enrollment; online banking enrollment/login; Balance: 0 - $15,000
Memphis, TN 38103 1867
Balance: $500 - $19,999.99
Lebanon, TN 37087
Qualifications Required: 1 direct deposit or ACH credit; 12 debit card purchases; Be enrolled in and agree to receive e-statements; Be enrolled in and log into online banking; APY on balances as much as $10,000
Nashville, TN 37203
Qualifications Required: 1 direct deposit or ACH credit; 12 debit card purchases; e-statements enrollment; online banking enrollment/login; Balance: 0 - $10,000
Savannah, TN 38372
Balance: 0 - $50,000; Qualifications Required; Rate applies to balances up to $50,000.00
Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Balance: 0 - $25,000
Savannah, TN 38372
Balance: $0 - $50,000
Lynchburg, TN 37352
Qualifications Required: At least 10 debit card purchases post and clear; At least one ACH debit or ACH credit post and clear per monthly qualification cycle; Receive eStatement; Tier 1: Daily balance $0 to $25,000.00; APY for this tier will range from 1.51% to 0.79%, depending on the balance in the account.
Oneida, TN 37841
Qualifications Required: 10 debit card purchases post and clear per qualification cycle; 1 direct deposit or ACH auto debit post and clear per qualification cycle; Enroll and receive electronic statements; 0.20% APY* on your balances over $50,000 each qualifying cycle when the requirements are met. ATM fee refunds when requirements are met. If requirements are not met, your account will still function as a free checking account earning 0.10% APY; however, it will not receive ATM refunds for that time period. Rates are effective as of today's date. We may change the interest rate and APY at any time after the account is open. No monthly service charge. Available to Personal Accounts only.
Memphis, TN 38104
On balances over $10,000.00; Rate: 0.50%
Elizabethton, TN 37643
Balance: $500,000.00 +
Elizabethton, TN 37643
Balance: $200,000.00 - $499,999.99
Nashville, TN 37203
Balance: $10,000+
Elizabethton, TN 37643
Balance: $50,000 - $199,999.99
Lebanon, TN 37087
Minimum: No minimum deposit to open; 4.50% APY on balances as much as $10,000; 0.25% APY on portion of balance over $10,000; 0.05% APY on all balances if qualifications aren't met. Refunds on ATM withdrawal fees, nationwide (up to $25 monthly).
Lebanon, TN 37087
APY on portion of balance over $10,000
Elizabethton, TN 37643
Balance: $25,000.00 - $49,999.99
Elizabethton, TN 37643
Balance: $10,000 - $24,999.99
Nashville, TN 37203
Balance: All balances if qualifications not met
Tennessee Free Checking Rates
Lebanon, TN 37087
Minimum: No minimum deposit to open; 4.50% APY on balances as much as $10,000; 0.25% APY on portion of balance over $10,000; 0.05% APY on all balances if qualifications aren't met. Refunds on ATM withdrawal fees, nationwide (up to $25 monthly).
Hermitage, TN 37076
No additional details provided.
Knoxville, TN 37924
No additional details provided.
Lebanon, TN 37087
Minimum: No minimum deposit to open; 4.50% APY on balances as much as $10,000; 0.25% APY on portion of balance over $10,000; 0.05% APY on all balances if qualifications aren't met. Refunds on ATM withdrawal fees, nationwide (up to $25 monthly).
Collierville, TN 38017 8711
No additional details provided.
Calhoun, TN 37309
No additional details provided.
Tennessee Student Checking Rates
Tennessee Business Checking Rates
Tullahoma, TN 37388
No additional details provided.
Gray, TN 37615
Balance: $100,001+
Mount Juliet, TN 37122
Qualifications Required: 15 debit card transactions of $10 or more post and settle per month; Be enrolled and agree to receive e-statements; Earn 1% APY on balances up to $250,000*. For any balance over $250,000, earn .50% APY*. Non-Qualification Interest rate if the above criteria is not met is .05% APY
Franklin, TN 37067
No additional details provided.
Gray, TN 37615
Balance: $50,001 to $100,000
Gray, TN 37615
Balance: $25,001 to $50,000
Gray, TN 37615
Balance: $10,000 to $25,000
Columbia, TN 38401 4826
Balance: $100,000+
Columbia, TN 38401 4826
Balance: $50,000-$99,999.99
Elizabethton, TN 37643
Balance: $50,000+
Johnson City, TN 37601
No additional details provided.
Knoxville, TN 37912
Dividend Compounded: Quarterly
Elizabethton, TN 37643
Balance: $25,000 - $49,999.99
Memphis, TN 38116 1917
Balance: $0-$99,999
Columbia, TN 38401 4826
Balance: $10,000-$49,999.99
Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
Balance $2,500 or more
Elizabethton, TN 37643
Balance: $10,000 - $24,999.99
Hartsville, TN 37074
No additional details provided.
Tullahoma, TN 37388
No additional details provided.
Tullahoma, TN 37388
No additional details provided.
Tennessee Checking Rate Trends
Compare local Tennessee checking rate quotes against the statewide average
Daily checking rate averages tracked across our database of 8,500+ banks and credit unions, updated every evening.
Tennessee high-yield checking rates fell 0.191 points over the past 7 days to 1.682% APY.
Tennessee free checking rates fell 0.041 points over the past 7 days to 0.820% APY.
Tennessee Checking Rate Forecast, Next 12 Months
Checking APYs move with Federal Reserve policy. Our model projects the likely path of high-yield and free checking averages from the current Tennessee figures.
Forecast Methodology & Assumptions
Key assumptions: the Federal Reserve holds the federal funds rate at its current level over the next 12 months, with the possibility of one 25 basis point increase; deposit institutions typically pass policy-rate changes through to checking APYs within 60–90 days. Reward and high-yield checking adjust faster than standard accounts.
Important notice: this forecast is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for financial decisions. Rate forecasts carry significant uncertainty. The actual trajectory will depend on Federal Reserve decisions, economic conditions, and competitive dynamics among financial institutions.
What Your Balance Earns at TN Checking Averages
Annual interest earnings at current Tennessee average APYs. Advertised high-yield rates typically require qualifying monthly activity, and most accounts cap the balance that earns the top rate. The calculator below models your exact balance against a cap.
| Balance | High-Yield Checking (1.682% APY) | Monthly Earnings | Free Checking (0.820% APY) | Monthly Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2,500 | $42.06 / year | $3.51 | $20.49 / year | $1.71 |
| $5,000 | $84.11 / year | $7.01 | $40.98 / year | $3.41 |
| $10,000 | $168.22 / year | $14.02 | $81.96 / year | $6.83 |
| $25,000 | $420.55 / year | $35.05 | $204.90 / year | $17.08 |
| Earnings estimates assume the full balance earns the average APY with qualifying requirements met every month. Actual earnings depend on the account’s rate cap, base rate, and whether requirements are met. The top offers above pay well over these averages. Source: Tennessee checking rate averages as of September 22, 2026. | ||||
Available in Tennessee
About Our Tennessee Checking Rate Database
MonitorBankRates tracks checking account rates from 22 banks and 21 credit unions offering checking accounts to Tennessee residents, spanning high-yield, rewards, free, student, and business checking from community institutions, regional banks, and national online options. Our proprietary aggregation system pulls verified rate data directly from each institution’s official website, no estimates, no national averages passed off as real offers.
Every rate listed includes the institution’s Safety Grade (A+ to F), Star Rating (1–5), and Texas Ratio, objective financial health metrics calculated from FDIC and NCUA regulatory data, so you can compare yield and institutional safety in one place.
Current top rate: Hope Federal Credit Union Jackson, MS offers a checking account at 5.13% APY. High-yield checking rates typically require qualifying monthly activity. Check the account details before opening.
How to Find the Best Checking Rates in Tennessee
What to compare when shopping for an interest-bearing checking account in Tennessee
To find the best checking APYs in Tennessee, start with credit unions and online-only banks: Tennessee has 21 credit unions in our database, and they dominate the high-yield and rewards checking market because they have lower overhead than traditional branch networks and use high rates to win your primary banking relationship.
Read the qualifying requirements before you’re drawn in by the headline rate. Most high-yield checking accounts require 10–15 debit card transactions per month, a direct deposit or ACH transfer, and e-statements. Miss them in a given month and you earn a near-zero base rate instead. Also check the balance cap: the advertised APY usually applies only up to $10,000–$25,000. The current TN high-yield checking average is 1.682% but top institutions serving Tennessee are offering as high as 5.13%, so shopping around pays off.
Finally, weigh fees and access: a monthly maintenance fee can erase a year of interest on a modest balance, and out-of-network ATM fees add up fast. The best accounts pair a high rate with no monthly fee and nationwide ATM access or ATM-fee reimbursement.
When High-Yield Checking Makes Sense
- You already use a debit card regularly: the transaction requirements cost you nothing extra
- Your everyday balance sits under the account’s rate cap, so your whole balance earns the top APY
- You want your spending money earning savings-level interest instead of 0%
- You prefer banking locally: 43 institutions serving Tennessee report checking rates to our database
Consider an Alternative If…
- Your balance is well above the rate cap: Tennessee savings rates or money market rates for the excess
- You won’t reliably meet the monthly activity requirements: a no-strings high-yield savings account earns more
- You have money you won’t touch for a set period: Tennessee CD rates lock in a guaranteed return
Tennessee Financial Snapshot
Local demographics and economic context for account holders. Source: U.S. Census Bureau
At today’s TN high-yield checking average of 1.682%, keeping 10% of the local median salary ($4,241) in a high-yield checking account would earn $71 annually, money a 0% traditional checking account leaves on the table. The top offers above pay even more.
Data: U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
High-Yield Checking vs. Other Tennessee Options
How interest-bearing checking accounts compare to the other deposit products available at banks and credit unions in Tennessee.
| Feature | High-Yield Checking | Free Checking | High-Yield Savings | Money Market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current TN Avg APY | 1.682% | 0.820% | View Savings Rates | View MMA Rates |
| Monthly Activity Required | ✗ Usually yes (debit + direct deposit) | ✓ None | ✓ None | ✓ None |
| Balance Cap on Top Rate | Common ($10K–$25K) | Little or no interest paid | ✓ Rarely | Tiered: higher balances earn more |
| FDIC / NCUA Insured | ✓ Up to $250K | ✓ Up to $250K | ✓ Up to $250K | ✓ Up to $250K |
| Checks & Debit Card | ✓ Unlimited | ✓ Unlimited | ✗ No | ✓ Limited per month |
| Best For | Everyday spending money that also earns | Simple no-fee banking, modest balances | Emergency fund, larger balances | Larger balances wanting some check access |
APY data reflects Tennessee averages tracked in our database as of September 22, 2026. Rates are variable and may differ by institution. See individual product pages for full details.
Tennessee Checking Account Interest Calculator
See what an interest-bearing checking account earns on your everyday balance. Most high-yield accounts only pay the advertised APY up to a balance cap. Enter the cap to see the real number, or leave it at 0 for uncapped accounts. Click any current Tennessee rate on the right to apply it. Interest compounds monthly.
Assumes monthly compounding, qualifying requirements met every cycle, and that balances above the cap earn 0%. Checking rates are variable and can change at any time. Estimates are for informational purposes only.
Methodology & Data Sources
Independent, Free, and Unbiased Rate Comparisons: MonitorBankRates.com is an independent rate comparison service. Our Tennessee checking rate tables are free for consumers to use, and we do not receive payment from any financial institution to be included or to be ranked in any particular order. Listings are based solely on the rates each institution publicly advertises on its own website.
A Note on Third-Party Rate Tools: Some pages on our site also feature rate comparison widgets and tools provided by third-party partners. These tools may include sponsored listings or affiliate links, and we may receive compensation when users click through them. We clearly label these widgets so you can tell at a glance which rates come from our independent MonitorBankRates.com tables and which come from our advertising partners.
Direct-Sourced & Verified Checking Rate Data: We aggregate checking account rates for Tennessee directly from the official websites of banks and credit unions using a combination of our proprietary rate aggregation technology and a dedicated team of rate updaters. By sourcing this data from the institutions’ own digital properties and manually verifying the yields daily, we ensure that every checking rate displayed on MonitorBankRates.com is highly accurate and trustworthy.
Local, Regional, and National Coverage: Our systems and team constantly monitor the market to provide a complete picture of available yields in Tennessee. We feature a comprehensive mix of financial institutions, allowing you to easily compare localized checking rates from neighborhood credit unions, competitive offers from mid-sized regional banks, and high-yield checking accounts available to account holders in TN.
Daily Updates & Time-Stamped Accuracy: To maintain the highest level of data integrity, our rate updaters verify and update checking rates daily. Because checking account yields can fluctuate based on market conditions, every single checking product listed on our platform features its own specific “last updated” date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do checking accounts in Tennessee earn interest?
Are banks in Tennessee FDIC insured?
What fees should I watch out for?
What is a Rewards Checking account?
What do I need to do to qualify for a high-yield checking rate in Tennessee?
Is there a limit on how much of my balance earns the top rate?
How do I open a checking account in Tennessee?
Best Checking Rates in Tennessee
- Hope Federal Credit Union Jackson, MS
HOPE Rewards Checking and Checking Plus Accounts: 5.13% APY - Wayne County Bank
Kasasa Cash Checking: 5.00% APY - Orion Federal Credit Union
Premium Checking Accounts: 5.00% APY - FedTrust Federal Credit Union
Rewards Checking: 4.59% APY - Old Hickory Credit Union
Kasasa Cash Checking: 4.50% APY
Checking Account Rates by City in Tennessee
