A current account is a necessary aspect of your personal finances. Practically every bank offers one, as do supermarkets and the Post Office.

All current accounts are similar in that you can deposit money into the account and then withdraw money at any time, either direct from the bank or via hole-in-the-wall ATM machines subject to any daily withdrawal limits and, of course, your available balance.

However, the facilities offered can vary considerably from bank to bank, so it's worth shopping around to find the account that best suits your needs.

When choosing a current account, you should decide how you'll be using it and what facilities and features you're going to need. And how much you're prepared to pay for spending the bank's money when yours has run out.

Once you've decided that, you're then in a position to choose the current account that most suits your needs for the minimum expenditure.

Rather than detail every facet of all the different current accounts available, here's a list of questions you should consider when deciding which one to choose.

Remember, you should focus on features that are relevant to you and your banking habits. For example, if a bank has very high overdraft charges, this should be of little interest to you if you never go overdrawn.

Before choosing a current account, decide what features and facilities you'll need. Run through our current account checklist to help you decide.

• What is the minimum opening balance required in order to open the account?
• Is a cheque book provided and, if so, is it supplied with a cheque guarantee card? If so, what is the limit of the cheque guarantee card (the usual is £50 or £100)? 
• Is a cash machine card provided? If so, what is the limit on how much you can withdraw in one day? Is a debit card provided? (Debit cards allow you to make purchases against your account, with the purchase amount usually being debited from your account on the next working day.) 
• Which cash machines can you use without being charged? You should take into account which cash machines are available in the areas you are most likely to want to withdraw cash, such as near home, near the office or where you tend to socialise. 
• What interest rates are offered on balances in credit? (Some current accounts offer a tiered interest rate structure whereby the interest rate increases as your balance exceeds certain amounts).  
• What charges are made on the account? And for what reasons? 
• Is an overdraft facility offered? If so, does the overdraft need to be authorised or is it automatic? What is the interest rate charged on overdrafts? Is there an arrangement fee, and if necessary, a yearly renewal fee? If so, how much are these costs?  
• How often are current account statements sent?  
• Is it possible to manage the account online?   
• Does the bank have high street branches? 
• Does the bank offer the added security of your photograph and signature being etched onto your cards?  
• Is any assistance offered if you need to move direct debits and standing orders to your new account? 
• Are there any introductory offers? (Examples include receiving a lump sum on opening a new account or an interest free overdraft for a limited period after opening the account.) 
• Are preferential rates offered on other financial products such as personal loans, mortgages or insurance products?