Most money market accounts offer check-writing, but there may be some limitations.
Money market accounts (MMAs) act like a hybrid between savings and checking accounts. Similar to a high-yield savings account, MMAs typically earn a competitive interest rate. But they also come with certain features that make it easier to access your cash — like check writing.
While money market checks can be convenient, there may be limitations on how many you can use each month. Learn more about writing checks from a money market account.
Money market accounts may have withdrawal limits
Money market accounts offer more accessibility than traditional savings accounts, but there may still be withdrawal limits you need to keep in mind.
In 2020, the Fed stopped enforcing Regulation D, which limited the number of convenient withdrawals from savings accounts, including money market accounts, to six per month. Convenient transactions include those by phone, online transfer, check, or debit card.
Even though the Fed no longer enforces Regulation D, many banks still set withdrawal limits for savings accounts, including MMAs. Some banks, such as Citizens Bank, maintain the six-transaction limit, while others set their own. For example, Ally Bank limits convenient withdrawals from money market accounts to 10 per month.
If you exceed a bank’s limit, you may be charged an excessive transaction fee, which often ranges from $2 to $15. And if a withdrawal causes your account to dip below your account’s minimum required balance, you may have to pay a monthly maintenance fee.
Writing a check from a money market account vs. a checking account
If you’re thinking about using a money market account to write checks, you might be weighing an MMA against a regular checking account. Both typically offer check-writing abilities, but each has its own unique features and drawbacks.
Withdrawal limits
As mentioned, banks often limit certain types of withdrawals from money market accounts — including those by check. On the other hand, checking accounts are classified as a “transaction account,” meaning banks typically don’t set limits on their withdrawals or transfers. If you write a lot of checks, you may be better off with a checking account.
Interest earnings
Where checking accounts excel in accessibility, MMAs usually offer a higher yield. This means that you’ll generally earn more in interest from the balance in your MMA compared to what you earn with your checking account. If earning a higher rate on your cash is your biggest priority, a money market account might be the way to go.
Read more: 8 best places to keep your cash in 2026
Minimum balance requirements
Finally, you should consider account minimums. MMAs tend to set higher minimum balance requirements compared to checking accounts — sometimes as high as $2,500 or more.
Some banks charge monthly maintenance fees if your account dips below the stated minimum. Others may only pay interest if you maintain the minimum balance requirement.
If you plan to write checks from your MMA, be mindful that your withdrawal doesn’t lower your balance below your bank’s limit. And if maintaining a high balance isn’t realistic for you, consider using a checking account instead.
Read more: How much is a money market account minimum balance?
How to use a money market account wisely
You don’t have to choose between a money market account and a checking account. In fact, pairing the two can give you the best of both worlds.
Here’s how you could use both accounts to manage your everyday finances:
While using a checking account for the bulk of your daily transactions, you can use an MMA for short-term savings goals. This allows you to earn interest on your MMA balance to make your savings grow faster. When you need to access your savings — maybe for an emergency expense or major purchase — you can easily write a check directly from your MMA. Finally, you can link your MMA to your checking account to cover any accidental overdrafts.
You have some flexibility in how you use these two accounts together, especially if you choose a money market account that doesn’t enforce withdrawal limits. Just keep in mind that if you want to write checks from your MMA, they’ll likely count toward any transaction limits your bank has.
Read more: How to write a check in 6 easy steps
