Personal Checking Accounts

Our checking accounts have the powerful features and smart solutions that you need from a bank account. You can open your checking account from your laptop or smartphone and we made it easy for you to switch your direct deposit and payments with ClickSWITCH.

Plus, get rewards with our Refer-A-Friend program.² 

FAQs

Learn more about personal checking accounts with these answers to common questions.

How Much Money Do You Need To Open a Checking Account?

The money required to open a checking account varies by financial institution and account type. Some banks offer checking accounts with no minimum opening deposit, while others may require up to $100 or more. The opening deposit is the initial amount you put into your account to get started, separate from any ongoing minimum balance requirements or monthly maintenance fees.

At First Commonwealth, the minimum deposit to open any of our Hometown Checking accounts is $50. There is no opening deposit required for a Confidence Checking account.

Can I Open a Bank Account Online Without Going in Person?

Yes, many banks offer the ability to open a checking account completely online without visiting a branch in person. The online account opening process is designed to be quick, convenient and secure. You'll typically need to provide personal information, verify your identity, agree to account terms and fund your opening deposit electronically. 

Many banks, including First Commonwealth, require individuals to be 18 or older to open a checking account online. Checking accounts can be opened for minors under the age of 18 with a parent/guardian by visiting a branch or calling us at 844-711-BANK (2265).

How Do You Open Your First Banking Account?

To open your first checking account, you first need to research account options from various banks, comparing features, fees and requirements. Choose the account that best fits your needs and gather all necessary information, such as ID, proof of address, and Social Security number. You'll then fill out your account application online or in person and provide an opening deposit if required. Once your application is approved, you can activate your account features like a debit card and online banking.

Open a Personal Checking Account with Us

Once you decide on the best personal checking account for you, we give you the flexibility to open the account online or you can meet with our team at the office closest to you. You can also open a personal checking account over the phone at 844.711.2265. We make it easy to switch your direct deposit and payments with ClickSWITCH, and you can use our account finder to find the perfect account for your financial life.

What's Needed to Open A Personal Checking Account

¹ Offer Information: Earn $200 when you 1) open a new personal checking account in person at a First Commonwealth Bank branch, by phone by calling 844.711.2265 or online at fcbanking.com by 12/31/2025 and use promo code ‘FCB22024’ at the time of account opening AND 2) complete 10 or more qualifying debit card purchases that post and clear the account within 60 days of account opening. Qualifying debit card purchases are made at point of sale using your signature or PIN, or electronically or online using your debit card number, including recurring payments. Offer may be extended, modified or discontinued at any time.

Offer Eligibility: Available to customers residing in First Commonwealth Bank markets (PA, OH, IN, KY, or WV). Offer is exclusive, not transferable, and limited to one checking reward per customer. The new account will not be eligible for offer if any account owner on the new account 1) had an existing First Commonwealth Bank personal checking account at the time of account opening, or 2) have been paid a First Commonwealth promotional credit on a personal checking account using a First Commonwealth promo code in the past 12 months.

Reward Processing: The $200 promotional credit will be deposited into active accounts within 60 days of all requirements being met and identified as “Promotional Credit” on your monthly statement. The value of the reward may be reported on Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 1099, and may be considered taxable income. Please consult your tax advisor regarding your specific situation.

Account Terms: The minimum amount to open any Hometown Checking account type is $50. There is no opening deposit required for a Confidence Checking account. Full account terms and conditions will be supplied at account opening. Variable-Rate Annual Percentage Yield (APY) for the Hometown Checking Plus account varies by tier, and the minimum balance to earn interest is $500. For example, as of 1/1/2025, APY by tier is: 0.01% for $500-$2,499.99; 0.01% for $2,500-$9,999.99; 0.01% for $10,000+. Rate and APY may change after the account is opened. Fees may reduce earnings on the account.

² Terms and Conditions

The person making the referral (Referrer) will earn a $50 Mastercard® Reward Card for each individual or business referred (Referred Person or Business) to First Commonwealth Bank, who does not already have a First Commonwealth Bank checking account, registers for the offer, opens a new First Commonwealth personal or business checking account and completes the other requirements within the time specified in the offer. To make a referral, the Referrer must register for the program, agree to these Terms and Conditions, and submit a valid email address for both the Referrer and each Referred Person or Business. A Referrer may receive up to ten (10) Reward Cards ($500 value) within a calendar year, but only one Referrer may receive a Reward Card for each Referred Person or Business who fulfills the requirements (the first Referrer that enters information for a Referred Person or Business will be the eligible Referrer). The Referred Person or Business may only receive one Reward Card for opening an account and completing the requirements, but may also be eligible as a Referrer. As the referrer, by using the ReferLive, the person you are referring may infer that you are a customer of First Commonwealth Bank.

Personal Account Qualifications: To earn a $50 Mastercard® Reward Card, the Referred Person must register by following the link provided in the referral email or on social media, agree to the Terms and Conditions, open a new First Commonwealth Bank personal checking account after receiving the email or social media offer through the official means of the program. Minimum deposit to open a Hometown Checking account is $50. There is no opening deposit required for a Confidence Checking^® account. You must complete at least one of the following requirements within 60 days after account opening.

• Complete one (1) direct deposit of $250 or more, OR
• Complete ten (10) qualifying debit card purchases that must post and clear the account

Qualifying direct deposits may include electronically deposited funds by an employer or an outside agency such as a paycheck, pension, or Social Security. Qualifying debit card purchases are made at point of sale using your signature or PIN, or electronically or online using your debit card number, including recurring payments. Variable-Rate Annual Percentage Yield (APY) for the Hometown Checking Plus account varies by tier. For example, as of 1/9/2025, APY by tier is: 0.01% for $500+; 0.01% for $2,500+; 0.01% for $10,000+. Rate and APY may change after the account is opened. Fees may reduce earnings on the account. As the referred customer, by using ReferLive, the referrer may infer that you are a customer of First Commonwealth Bank.

Business Account Qualifications: To earn a $150 Mastercard^® Reward Card, the Referred Business must register by following the link provided in the referral email or on social media, agree to the Terms and Conditions, open a new First Commonwealth Bank Business checking account after receiving the email or social media offer through the official means of the program. Minimum deposit to open the account is $50. You must complete the following requirements within 60 days after account opening.

• Complete a minimum of $2,000 in qualifying deposits

Qualifying deposits are new-to-First Commonwealth Bank funds including transfers from another financial institution, deposits made in-branch, at an ATM, or via mobile deposit or remote deposit capture. As the referred customer, by using ReferLive, the referrer may infer that you are a customer of First Commonwealth Bank.

IOLTA accounts, MJ-IOTA, and Estate accounts do not qualify for this offer.

Please allow 4-6 weeks after completion of all requirements for delivery of your Mastercard® Reward Card (Bonus) to the physical address provided. Bonus may be reported as income to the IRS. The Bonus offer is not available if the Referred Person or Business already has a First Commonwealth Bank checking account. The program may be discontinued or changed at any time without notice. The Referrer authorizes the sending of communications to each Referred Person or Business. The email may not be recovered if the person has "opted out" of marketing material from First Commonwealth Bank or ReferLive. Each person who registers at ReferLive authorizes future communications including emails regarding the program unless they “opt out” by making an election at ReferLive or within such email. Returned/invalid email addresses and non-deliverable addresses are not the responsibility of First Commonwealth Bank or its third party vendors. The Referred Person or Business acknowledges that a Reward Card will be issued to the Referrer after all conditions have been met in the time frames provided. The Reward Cards will be mailed to the addresses within the ReferLive registration system. The Reward Cards are subject to Terms and Conditions delivered with the card, including limitations on types of transactions for which they may be used. Mastercard® is not a participant or sponsor of this promotion.

³ We don’t charge for these services, but standard message, data, and internet service provider rates may apply so check with your carriers.

⁴ To send or receive money with Zelle®, both parties must have an eligible checking or savings account.

⁵ Certain terms, conditions and exclusions apply. Cardholders need to register for this service. This service is provided by General Global Assistance, Inc. Please see your Guide to Benefits for details or call 1-800-MASTERCARD.

⁶ Free access to all First Commonwealth Bank, Allpoint^TM and Freedom Alliance^TM Network ATMs. Mastercard Cross Border fees for international transactions may apply.

⁷ All coverage is reduced by 50% at age 70 and older, regardless of age at enrollment. This plan may not be available to residents of all states.

⁸ Customer-initiated transactions, including deposits and withdrawals, will be counted on the date that they post and clear the account. If the transaction is conducted in one statement cycle and posts to the account in the following statement cycle, then the transaction will be counted in the statement cycle of the final posting. Bank initiated transactions such as fee assessments/refunds and promotional credits do not count towards the waiver.

⁹ Qualify for Relationship Rates on a Relationship Money Market account when the primary or joint owner on the Relationship Money Market is also a primary or joint owner on a Hometown Checking Premium account.

¹⁰ Overdraft transfer services are limited to the available balance in the linked account. If the funds are not available in the linked account, the $35.00 fee for Non-Sufficient Funds or Overdraft may be assessed per item, up to 4 per day. Add Overdraft Protection by calling 800-711-BANK (2265) or visiting a community office near you.

¹¹ Any outstanding balance on a Line of Credit used for Overdraft Protection will accrue interest in accordance with the terms of the Line of Credit loan agreement.  For questions, or to request a copy of your Line of Credit loan agreement, call 800-711-BANK (2265) or visit a community office near you.

¹² We will waive all non-network ATM fees including cash withdrawals, deposit, transfers and inquiries completed at a non-network ATM for Hometown Checking Premium accounts. We will also waive the first five (5) non-network ATM cash withdrawal fees per calendar month, based on the transaction posting date, for Hometown Checking Plus accounts. You will be responsible for any additional fees charged by the owner of a non-network ATM as well as any international transaction or other fees charged by the network.

¹³ Hometown Checking Premium account holders can qualify for the annual maintenance fee to be waived on a Brokerage Individual Retirement Account (IRA) with First Commonwealth Advisors. To qualify for the fee waiver, the IRA must have a minimum balance of $10,000 or more AND the account owner must also be the primary or joint owner on a Hometown Checking Premium account on the 10th calendar day of the month in which your annual maintenance fee is accessed.

¹⁴ Hometown Checking Premium will receive a 25% discount on all Rush Bill Payments, the fee for which is $34.95 or less. Discount will be applied to account as a refund on your statement.

¹⁵ A core deposit relationship balance includes another checking, savings, money market account or club account that shares a primary or joint owner with the Hometown Checking Premium or Hometown Checking Plus account.

¹⁶ We will waive the monthly service charge on Hometown Checking Premium accounts when the primary or joint owner is active military or a military veteran. You must present a valid Military ID or Veteran ID to qualify (PA and OH residents may show their Driver’s license with the Veteran designation).

View our listing of fees for the above accounts.

Zelle and Zelle related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.