Choosing a financial institution to handle your checking account should involve comparison shopping. Finding the right one means first assessing your needs and weighing costs just as you would before buying any product or service.

Before you make the first move to set up a checking account, ask yourself some questions.

• How much, on average, will you keep in your account each month and how many checks will you write? This will help you figure out how complex or simple an account you might need.
• How much are you willing to invest in an account in order to have access to a wider range of services?
• What time of day do you expect to do most of your banking? Some people prefer to go during banking hours, while others don't have time for that and need a bank with weekend access.
• Do you like the convenience of automated teller machines and other electronic services such as online banking, or do you prefer to deal directly with a bank representative? Answering this question will help you determine whether you'd be happier at an institution with an extensive branch network emphasizing regular hours, or one that focuses more on ATMs and online banking.