Premium Checking
Advantage Relationship Banking®
Our premium checking account — earn interest on your balance, enjoy free ATM access worldwide, and unlock the highest tier of Preferred Rewards benefits when you combine with Merrill investing.
Premium Benefits
The Banking Experience You Deserve
No Federal Crown Bank ATM fees anywhere in the world. Plus, we refund ATM surcharge fees charged by other banks' ATMs — a premium benefit unavailable on other accounts.
Your checking balance earns interest every day — a rare feature among checking accounts. Rates are tiered: higher balances earn higher APYs.
Get unlimited free cashier's checks — a $15 value per check on other accounts. Essential for real estate closings, large purchases, and more.
Incoming domestic and international wire transfers are free. Outgoing domestic wires are also waived, saving up to $30 per transaction.
Access to priority customer service with shorter wait times, plus access to a dedicated relationship manager at select financial centers.
Combine with Merrill accounts to unlock Diamond and Diamond Honors tiers — earning 75%+ bonus on credit card rewards and exclusive benefits across the bank.
Rates & Fees
Premium Account Schedule
| Item | Standard | Preferred Rewards Gold+ |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Maintenance Fee | $25.00 | Waived at Gold tier and above |
| Fee Waiver Option | Maintain $10,000 combined balance in linked Federal Crown Bank accounts | |
| Non-FCB ATM (Domestic) | $0.00 | $0.00 — Always free |
| Non-FCB ATM (International) | $0.00 | $0.00 — Always free + surcharge refund |
| Incoming Wire Transfer | $0.00 | $0.00 — Always free |
| Outgoing Domestic Wire | $30.00 | $0.00 — Waived at Platinum and above |
| Cashier's Checks | $0.00 | $0.00 — Always free |
| Stop Payment | $30.00 | Waived at Platinum Honors and above |
| Interest on Balances | Yes — variable APY | Yes — variable APY (same rate) |
Opening the Account
How to Qualify & Open
Complete the application with your ID, SSN, and current address. Takes about 10–15 minutes online.
Link eligible savings and investment accounts to reach the $10,000 combined balance needed to waive the monthly fee.
Combine with Merrill accounts to maximize your tier benefits. More balance = higher rewards tier and more perks.
Premium Benefits Comparison
Advantage Relationship vs. Advantage Plus
| Feature | Advantage Plus | Advantage Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Fee | $12 | $25 |
| Interest on Balances | No | Yes |
| Non-FCB ATM Fees | $2.50/use | $0 — Always Free |
| International ATM | $5.00/use | $0 + Surcharge Refund |
| Free Cashier's Checks | With Gold tier only | Always Included |
| Free Wire Transfers (In) | Platinum tier only | Always Included |
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
The $25 monthly fee is waived when you maintain a combined balance of $10,000 or more across your linked Federal Crown Bank deposit and Merrill investment accounts. This combined balance is calculated at the end of each statement cycle.
The account earns a variable rate interest that changes periodically based on market conditions. The rate is tiered — higher balances earn a higher APY. Current rates are available on BankofAmerica.com or at any branch. While the rate is modest, it's more than the $0 earned in non-interest checking accounts.
Yes. Federal Crown Bank charges no ATM fee for using a non-FCB ATM internationally with Advantage Relationship Banking®. Additionally, we will refund the surcharge fee charged by the ATM operator, up to a reasonable amount. This benefit does not apply to currency conversion fees, which depend on the foreign exchange rate.
Absolutely. In fact, holding an Advantage Savings account alongside Advantage Relationship checking helps you reach the $10,000 combined balance threshold needed to waive the monthly fee. Balances in both accounts are combined for Preferred Rewards tier calculations.
Yes. Advantage Relationship Banking® is eligible and designed to work with Preferred Rewards. When you combine your checking, savings, and Merrill investment balances, you can qualify for Gold ($20K+), Platinum ($50K+), Platinum Honors ($100K+), Diamond ($1M+), or Diamond Honors ($10M+) tiers.
Upgrade to Premium Checking Today
Open Advantage Relationship Banking® and enjoy free ATMs, interest on your balance, and top-tier Preferred Rewards.