[flukus]

I was wondering the same thing. From the comments it seems as though the US banking system seems to be stuck in the 80's. I can't believe they still have checking accounts, in my mid 30's now and I've cashed one check in my life.

[briandear]

Come to France. People use checks all the time. You still have to visit your "personal banker" to accomplish many tasks. If US banking is in the 80s, then French banking is in the 60s.

And "checking account" doesn't mean "with this account I write a lot of checks." In the US there are general two types of accounts, checking and savings. I haven't written a check on my US account in over 15 years.. Though in France I probably write a few paper checks a month.

My point is that "checking" account is just a terminology -- the vast majority of people don't write checks (unless you're over the age of 80.)

[alkonaut]

> "checking" account is just a terminology

It's what you might call a "salary account" in other places then. It's where your pay(check - haha) ends up, and what you use for regular day to day transactions such as paying bills.

I also get confused when abroad and there are buttons to withdraw from "checking" "savings" etc. I have a handful of accounts that I name myself so it's always hard to know.

[falsedan]

> you might call a "salary account" in other places

UK => Current Account

AU => Transaction Account (although my bank brands it as an 'Everyday' account)

The worst thing about US Checking accounts is that they don't come with checks, and you have to arrange with a third-party printer to get a book of checks sent to you.

[MrRadar]

When I opened my account with my credit union they gave me 2 free boxes of checks. In the 5 years since I haven't even used a single book of them so this should be a sufficient supply for a lifetime.

[alkonaut]

I'm so glad I have never used a check. I'm 40 and haven't even paid a bill without using the internet (so basically for 22 years now).