While The Columbia Bank’s Simply Checking account does not earn interest, it also doesn’t charge a monthly maintenance fee, so you’ll never have to worry about maintaining a minimum balance amount. You’ll also get access to the full range of mobile and online banking services free of charge.

This account is a good option for anyone who wants to avoid monthly fees and isn’t concerned about earning interest on their checking balance. The only major downside are the ATM fees for out-of-network ATM use, which can add up and aren’t refunded.

The Interest Checking account is The Columbia Bank’s standard interest-earning checking account. Rates are not publicly available, but you can call the bank for the most current rates. You’ll need to maintain a sizeable minimum daily balance in order to earn interest.

This account’s monthly fee isn’t small, but as long as you maintain the $1,000 minimum daily balance (which is also the amount required to earn interest), the monthly fee can be avoided; it can also be waived with a monthly direct deposit. However, it’s best to opt for free checking accounts so you don’t have to worry about your balance falling below this requirement. Apart from earning interest, this checking account doesn’t come with any other perks that you can’t get with the bank’s free checking option, so it may not be the best option for most customers.

This checking account earns tiered interest and is designed for customers who maintain high balances; you can call the bank for the most recent rates. If you’re unable to maintain a minimum daily balance of at least $2,000, you’ll be charged a monthly service fee. You’ll also need to maintain a minimum daily balance of $1,000 in order to earn interest. Because of these requirements, the Relationship Banking account isn’t our favorite checking option at this bank for most customers.

Still, it is worth noting that you get free unlimited ATM transactions with this account, which can save you a good amount of money over time. If you’re able to maintain a minimum of $15,000 in total deposits or $20,000 in deposits and consumer loan balances combined, you’ll also get occasional bonus rates on the bank’s CDs, one free order of specialty checks per year, and a discount on safe deposit boxes.

This checking account is available to students ages 16 to 22 with a valid student ID. It comes with no minimum account balance requirement and no monthly maintenance fee. In addition, you’ll also get your first five ATM transactions at out-of-network ATMs free each month. Although this account doesn’t come with unlimited free ATM transactions, this is still a relatively generous policy.

Along with minimal fees, you’ll also get all the online and mobile banking features of a standard checking account free of charge, including online statements, online bill pay and mobile check deposits. This account does not earn interest.

This account is designed for customers age 50 and older. If you qualify for this account, it is one of the bank’s best checking options — it earns interest but doesn’t come with a monthly maintenance fee. Interest rates for this account are tiered, meaning rates differ depending on the balance you maintain; to qualify to earn interest, you must maintain a minimum balance of $1,000. You can call the bank for the most recent interest rates.

In addition to earning interest, you’ll also get free online and mobile banking services and a discount on safe deposit boxes. Finally, this account comes with unlimited free ATM transactions whether at in-network or out-of-network ATMs, which is a feature we like to look for in checking accounts.

How to get The Columbia Bank’s checking accounts

You can apply for any of this bank’s checking accounts online by providing your social security number, a government-issued ID, and your opening deposit. Your account can be funded online with a checking account, savings account, debit card or credit card.

The Columbia Bank’s standard savings account is open to all customers; it bears interest on balances of $100 or more, though you’ll have to call the bank for the most recent rates. This account does come with a monthly maintenance fee — but while it can be waived by maintaining a minimum daily balance of at least $100, we always prefer savings accounts with no monthly fees. The monthly fee is also waived if the account holder is less than 19 years old.

Remember that Federal Reserve Regulation D limits all savings accounts up to 6 certain electronic transfers or withdrawals per month.

This interest-bearing savings account for students age 22 or younger has no monthly account maintenance fee, so you don’t have to worry about keeping a minimum balance. Interest rates vary, but you can call the bank for the latest rates. You’ll get access to all of The Columbia Bank’s mobile and online banking services with this account as well, including mobile check deposit, online statements, and 24/7 access to your accounts.

With a student account, you’ll also get your first 5 ATM transactions at non-Fulton Financial Corporation ATMs free each month. After that, a small fee will be charged by The Columbia Bank on out-of-network ATM transactions.

According to Federal Reserve Regulation D, because this is a savings account, you’re only allowed up to 6 certain electronic transfers or withdrawals each month.

How to get The Columbia Bank’s savings account

Applications are available online for both of The Columbia Bank’s two savings accounts. You’ll need to provide your social security number, a government-issued form of identification, and an opening deposit for your account. Your deposit can be funded online using a checking or savings account or a debit or credit card.

The Columbia Bank builds a lot of flexibility into their CD offerings. Not only can you choose from terms as short as 3 months and as long as 72 months, but they also offer no penalty certificates, variable rate certificates, and promotional CD rates.

Their 9 Month No Penalty CD allows you to withdraw your money at any time without incurring a penalty as long as you wait at least 7 days after opening. The 12 Month Variable Rate CD comes with an APY that can change at any time after account opening, while the other CD options maintain the same APY throughout the full term of the CD. Finally, the 9 Month No Penalty Promo Relationship Banking CD, 18 Month Promo Relationship Banking CD, and 5 Year Promo Relationship Banking CD offers higher promotional rates for Relationship Banking account holders who maintain a minimum at least $15,000 in total deposits or $20,000 in deposits and consumer loan balances combined.

The bank also offers promotional CD rates at times on certain certificates that offer higher rates than listed above. You can call the bank or visit their website for current promotions.

How to get The Columbia Bank’s Certificates

You can open a Certificate of Deposit by visiting any of The Columbia Bank’s branch locations and applying in person.

This money market account charges a monthly maintenance fee, although it can be waived as long as you maintain a minimum daily balance of $1,000 or more. You’ll need to maintain this balance in order to earn interest anyway.

This account gives you the opportunity to earn a small amount of interest and build your savings while still maintaining easy access to your money. But while you can access your funds immediately, money market and savings accounts are still limited to 6 certain electronic withdrawals each month according to Federal Reserve Regulation D.

If you’re able to commit to maintaining a large balance in your account, the Platinum Money Market account will help you earn slightly higher rates than those offered by their regular money market account. You will need to maintain a minimum daily balance of at least $10,000, or else you’ll be charged a pretty steep monthly maintenance fee. Balances below that amount won’t earn interest either.

This money market account gives you easy access to your funds, although you won’t get any ATM fee waivers if you’re withdrawing money from out-of-network ATMs. Keep in mind that you’re limited to 6 certain electronic transfers or withdrawals per month according to Federal Reserve Regulation D.

How to get The Columbia Bank’s Money Market accounts

You can open The Columbia Bank’s Money Market accounts online by filling out their online application form. It will require that you submit your social security number and a government-issued form of identification, and you can fund the account using funds from a checking or savings account or a debit or credit card.

The Columbia Bank’s IRA CDs all have reasonable minimum opening deposit and minimum balance amount to earn APY requirements. There are no penalty free CDs available as IRA accounts, but you can access promotional APYs if you qualify for their 18 Month Promo Relationship Banking IRA CD or their 5 Year Promo Relationship Banking IRA CD. You’ll need to be a Relationship Banking customer in order to access these rates, and you’ll also have to have a minimum balance of at least $15,000 across all deposits or $20,000 across deposits and consumer loans.

How to get The Columbia Bank’s IRA CDs

You can open an IRA CD with The Columbia Bank by visiting them in person at one of their branch locations.

If you’re looking for a tax-advantaged retirement savings account, The Columbia Bank offers free IRA money market accounts that give you the opportunity to take advantage of changes in interest rates. Interest is compounded daily on these accounts.

Keep in mind that withdrawal options from your IRA money market account might be limited, given that it is a retirement account. Typically, any money withdrawn before you hit age 59 ½ is considered premature, and you may have to pay an early withdrawal penalty on those amounts.

How to get The Columbia Bank’s IRA accounts

Head into your local The Columbia Bank branch to talk about getting an IRA account. It’s recommended that you consult a tax professional before opening an IRA.