Learn more about our seriously simple checking lineup from Brand Ambassador, Always, August.
Earn Dividends and Enjoy Added Perks
A flexible account that lets you earn dividends — and enjoy more value from your everyday banking.
- Earn .050% APY* on balances over $250 when you meet a few simple monthly qualifiers.
- Unlock a higher dividend rate, 0.075% APY* when your combined checking and savings balances total $2,500 or more.
- Free Digital Banking with bill pay
- Free mobile check deposit
- Free eAlerts
- Free eStatements
- Free VISA debit card and Automated Fraud Alerts
- Access to more than 30,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide
- Available Overdraft Line of Credit
- One free box of checks per calendar year
To qualify for dividends, and avoid a monthly fee, you must each month:
- Be enrolled in eStatements, and
- Do one of the following:
- Have at least $50 in direct deposit in your Rewards Checking, or
- Make 6 debit card point of sale or online purchases using your Rewards Checking debit card.
A $3.95 Monthly Maintenance Fee** applies if qualifications are not met. This fee is waived for members 18-24.
*APY= Annual Percentage Yield. For Rewards Checking accounts you may qualify for monthly dividends if you meet the applicable minimum qualification requirements for the monthly qualification cycle. To meet the minimum qualification requirements, you must: 1) be enrolled in e-statements; and 2) have one electronic deposit into the account of at least $50 or 6 point of sale or online purchases using the rewards debit card posted and settled during the monthly qualification cycle. Refunded or returned debit card purchases will be subtracted from your monthly transaction count used to qualify for rewards. Additionally, micro deposits and prenotes do not count toward electronic deposits. The monthly qualification cycle is defined as the first calendar day of the month to the last calendar day of the month. You may qualify for an increased annual percentage yield if you maintain an aggregate daily balance of $2,500.00 in your accounts. **A $3.95 Monthly Maintenance Fee will apply in any month the qualifications are not met. This fee will be waived for the first two statement cycles after account opening. The fee is also waived for members aged 18-24. Each Rewards Checking under the same membership must meet the qualifications to earn dividends and avoid the monthly maintenance fee. Checking dividend are subject to change monthly without prior notice. Consumer accounts only. Other restrictions may apply.
Checking Account Rates
| Checking | Features | Annual Percentage Yield* |
|---|---|---|
| Rewards+ Checking** | Balances up to $10,000 | 2.000% |
| Balances over $10,000 | 0.050% | |
| Rewards Checking^ | Balances over $250 | 0.050% |
| Balances over $2,500 or more in combined checking and savings | 0.075% |
|
| Business Plus | 0.0500% | |
| HSA† | Offers convenient VISA debit card access | 0.175% |
These rates were last reviewed and/or updated on 08/01/2025.
*Rates are subject to change monthly without prior notice. APY= Annual Percentage Yield.
**For Rewards+ Checking accounts, you may qualify for monthly dividends if you meet the applicable minimum qualification requirements for the monthly qualification cycle. To meet the minimum qualification requirements, you must: 1) be enrolled in e-statements; 2) log into online banking once per qualification cycle; and 3) have a combination of two of the following: electronic deposits into the account of at least $1,000.00, 12 point of sale or online purchases using the Rewards+ debit card posted and settled during the monthly qualification cycle, hold a non-revolving personal loan with a balance of $10,000.00 or more, or have an active mortgage loan. Refunded or returned debit card purchases will be subtracted from your monthly transaction count used to qualify for rewards. Additionally, micro-deposits and prenotes do not count toward the electronic deposit requirement. The monthly qualification cycle is defined as the first calendar day of the month to the last calendar day of the month. The Rewards+ Checking account is a tiered rate account. If you meet the minimum qualification requirements during the monthly qualification cycle, the first dividend rate and annual percentage yield listed in the Rate Schedule will apply if your balance is from $10,000.00 and below. The second dividend rate and annual percentage yield listed for this account will apply if your balance is from $10,000.01 or greater. Each dividend rate will apply only to that portion of the account balance within each balance range. A $5.95 Monthly Maintenance Fee will apply in any month the qualifications are not met. This fee will be waived for the first two statement cycles after account transition. The fee is also waived for members aged 18-24. There is a limit of one Rewards+ Checking account per membership. Checking dividend are subject to change monthly without prior notice. Consumer accounts only. Other restrictions may apply.
^For Rewards Checking accounts you may qualify for monthly dividends if you meet the applicable minimum qualification requirements for the monthly qualification cycle. To meet the minimum qualification requirements, you must: 1) be enrolled in e-statements; and 2) have one electronic deposit into the account of at least $50 or 6 point of sale or online purchases using the rewards debit card posted and settled during the monthly qualification cycle. Refunded or returned debit card purchases will be subtracted from your monthly transaction count used to qualify for rewards. Additionally, micro deposits and prenotes do not count toward electronic deposits. The monthly qualification cycle is defined as the first calendar day of the month to the last calendar day of the month. You may qualify for an increased annual percentage yield if you maintain an aggregate daily balance of $2,500.00 in your accounts. A $3.95 Monthly Maintenance Fee will apply in any month the qualifications are not met. This fee will be waived for the first two statement cycles after account transition. The fee is also waived for members aged 18-24. Each Rewards Checking under the same membership must meet the qualifications to earn dividends and avoid the monthly maintenance fee. Checking dividend are subject to change monthly without prior notice. Consumer accounts only. Other restrictions may apply.
†Consult your tax advisor regarding HSA accounts.
Checking Accounts: Frequently Asked Questions
- Essentials Checking has no monthly fees, or minimum balance requirements.
- Rewards Checking monthly maintenance fee of $3.95 can be avoided with enrollment in E-Statements and meeting one qualifier. This fee is waived if you are between 18-24.
- Rewards+ Checking monthly maintenance fee of $5.95 can be avoided by enrollment in E-Statements and monthly login to online banking plus meeting any two additional qualifiers. This fee is waived if you are between 18-24.
Specific activity that needs to be completed each month to avoid the monthly maintenance fees. Qualifiers for each checking product are as follows:
- Essentials Checking- no qualifiers.
- Rewards Checking– Enrollment in E-Statements and one of the following:
- Electronic Deposit into Rewards Checking of at least $50 per month. (Micro deposits/prenotes do not apply)
- At least 6 point-of-sale or online purchases using the Rewards debit card. (Reversals or credits do not apply, debit card purchases must post before the end of the month)
- Rewards+ Checking– Enrollment in E-Statements and monthly login to online banking, plus meet any two additional qualifiers.
- Electronic deposit(s) into Rewards+ Checking totaling at least $1,000 (accumulative) (Micro deposits/prenotes do not apply)
- At least 12 point-of-sale or online purchases using the Rewards debit card. (Reversals or credits do not apply, debit card purchases must post before the end of the month)
- Hold a non-revolving personal loan with an outstanding balance of $10,000+.
- Have an active Mortgage Loan. (in good standing)
If the qualifiers aren’t met, a monthly maintenance fee will be applied to your checking account.
You will need to meet another qualifier for the Rewards+ Checking account.
You may have additional Rewards Checking within the same membership.
With the Rewards+ Checking, you are limited to one per member.
(Any additional Rewards Checking account must meet the same qualifications to earn dividends and avoid monthly maintenance fee.)
Need Help or Have Questions?
Simply reach out to a branch team member; our contact center at 1.888.448.2133 or 843.448.2133; book an appointment or email us at MemberServiceCenter@carolinatrust.org.
For members with Carolina Trust checking accounts opened prior to 8/1/25, please visit this page if you have questions regarding checking account changes.
