Checking accounts

It’s easy to open a checking account with us.

1. Requirements: At least 18 years old (applicants under 18 can apply in a financial center); a U.S. Citizen or Resident Alien; a resident of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, or Illinois.
2. Documents: Social Security number; U.S. government-issued ID (Driver’s License, Passport, Military ID, or State Issued ID); for joint accounts you’ll need the email address of the joint applicant.
3. Add money to your account: A debit or credit card number with CVV code to transfer at least $25 to your new account.

An overdraft occurs when you do not have enough money in your account to cover a transaction (“Insufficient Balance”), but we authorize or pay it anyway. We understand sometimes life can throw you a curveball, so we’ve simplified our policy. We offer:

$25 Buffer
When your account has been overdrawn, you get a $25 buffer. That means if your account's available balance is overdrawn by $25 or less, you won't be subject to the Overdraft Paid Item Fee.

$0 Returned Item Fee
If your transaction doesn't go through due to insufficient funds, you won't get charged a fee for the returned or declined transaction. (On your statement, you may see a fee initially charged and subsequently reversed upon being returned/declined.) If the bank does pay for the transaction, you may be subject to the $25 Overdraft Paid Item Fee.

Plus...

• Maximum of 2 Overdraft Paid Item Fees Per Day: When we pay items on your behalf, a daily limit of two (2) Overdraft Paid Item Fees may be charged, even if the number of overdrafts exceed two (2).
• No Overdraft Notification Fee: If an account remains overdrawn, we'll notify you, but you won't be charged a fee for this notification.

View more overdraft FAQs.

Yes, we offer Dynamic Transfer, a service that transfers money from another checking, savings, or money market account to cover overdrafts in your checking account. If you're looking to open a checking account, our NoWorry Checking account doesn't have overdraft fees. We also offer Ready Reserve, a personal line of credit that can be used to cover overdrafts.* Fees apply to Ready Reserve, but they are typically less than an overdraft fee.

You can also set up account alerts within online banking to monitor your account 24/7 by creating customized text, email, push notification, or phone call alerts. You can receive notifications based on account balances, transactions, login activity, and more.**

View more overdraft FAQs.

* Subject to credit review and approval.

** Standard messaging and rates apply.

Between 9PM EST and 5AM EST on weekdays, your balance may not be updated while we are processing transactions. Please check your balance outside of those times for more current information.

Alerts may not be instantaneous, and frequency depends on user preferences and account activity. Alerts may be delayed, undelivered, or otherwise impacted by other factors including, but not limited to, service outages affecting your phone, wireless, or internet provider, technology failures, and system capacity limitations.

Our top-notch service doesn’t end when the day does. Download the First Financial Bank app or use online banking to view your checking, savings, or loan account information. Mobile and online banking offers more than 24/7 access to your accounts. You can:

• Deposit checks (mobile only)
• Transfer money electronically between accounts
• Pay bills
• Get security and account alerts
• View documents including eStatements

Standard messaging and data rates may apply.

Yes. You’ll receive your contactless debit card the day you open your account in a financial center or within 7-10 business days by mail if you open your account online.

Every checking account we offer includes fee-free access to our more than 170 in-network First Financial Bank ATMs. Our Choice, Performance, Premier, and Student accounts also come with complimentary access to 55,000+ Allpoint ATMs worldwide.

Fees and rebates vary based on which account you choose. You can learn more about our checking account options by comparing accounts.

All deposit accounts are subject to the Terms and Conditions, Special Handling/Electronic Banking Disclosure of Charges, and possibly other disclosures.