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Banking Basics

How to Avoid Monthly Maintenance Fees in 2023

Many banks charge monthly service fees on checking and savings accounts, which can add up quickly. Some banks don’t have any monthly fees associated with their accounts, but there are ways to avoid the ones that do. Learn how to avoid monthly maintenance fees at traditional banks and save money.

Rachel Velez • December 21, 2022

In This Article

  1. What is a monthly maintenance fee?
  2. How do I avoid monthly maintenance fees?
  3. Monthly maintenance fees charged by the largest U.S. banks
  4. FAQs
  5. Final thoughts

Banks may charge monthly maintenance fees in exchange for their services. Ironic, right? You may be thinking, why should I have to pay a company to open an account that you’re already giving your money to? Both online and brick-and-mortar banks can charge these monthly maintenance fees, which can easily add up over time.

Many financial institutions will charge a monthly maintenance fee if you don’t meet certain requirements. It’s important to be aware of maintenance fee charges as a consumer, and it’s also wise to know how to avoid paying them.

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What is a monthly maintenance fee?

A monthly maintenance fee is a fee charged by a financial institution to a customer for utilizing a checking or savings account if certain requirements aren’t met. This fee is typically withdrawn from your account each month automatically. For example, some banks may charge a monthly maintenance fee if your account balance is under a certain threshold.

Banks that do charge monthly maintenance fees often allow account holders to avoid them by meeting certain requirements. 

How do I avoid monthly maintenance fees?

Monthly maintenance fees can add up quickly, especially if you have multiple accounts. So, you probably want to choose a financial institution that allows you to waive the fees. Typically, this involves meeting certain requirements when it comes to managing your funds. These can include things like:

  • Keeping a certain account balance
  • Accepting monthly direct deposits
  • Holding multiple accounts at the same institution
  • Being in a specific age range

Some banks make it possible to waive monthly maintenance fees, and they’re required to disclose any fees upfront. If you are looking to open a new account, make sure you read the account disclosures.

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Monthly maintenance fees charged by the largest U.S. banks

Not all banks charge a monthly maintenance fee. But, many large financial institutions do. 

Banks will tack on different amounts for their monthly maintenance fee, and it’s part of how they make their money. Here’s a closer look at some of the fees at the biggest banks in the U.S. and how you can avoid them.

Disclaimer: Fees for each bank may vary based on location.

Bank of America Monthly Maintenance Fees4

Account TypeMonthly FeeHow to Avoid Bank of America Monthly Maintenance Fee
Checking$4.95
  • Are an owner of this account who qualifies as a Student under age 25 enrolled in school or an educational or vocational program
  • Or are an account owner who is under the age of 18
  • Or are enrolled in Preferred Rewards (first 4 checking accounts)
Savings$8
  • Maintain a minimum daily balance of at least $500
  • Or link your Bank of America Advantage Relationship Banking account to your savings account (waiver applies to first 4 savings accounts)
  • Or enroll in the Preferred Rewards program and qualify for the Gold, Platinum, or Platinum Honors tier (first 4 savings accounts)
  • Or have an account owner who is under the age of 18
  • Or have an owner of the account is under 25 and qualifies as a Student enrolled in school or an educational or vocational program

Chase Monthly Maintenance Fees5

Account TypeMonthly FeeHow to Avoid Chase Monthly Maintenance Fee
Checking$12
  • Have an electronic deposit made into this account totaling $500 or more
  • Or have a balance at the beginning of each day of $1,500 or more 
  • Or have an average beginning day balance of $5,000 or more in any combination of this account and linked qualifying deposits or investments
Savings$5
  • Have a balance at the beginning of each day of $300 or more 
  • Or $25 or more in total Autosave or other repeating automatic transfers from your personal Chase checking account 
  • Or Chase College Checking account linked to this account for Overdraft Protection
  • Or an account owner who is under the age of 18
  • Or a linked Chase Better Banking Checking, Chase Premier Checking, Chase Premier Plus Checking, Chase Sapphire Checking, or Chase Private Client Checking account

U.S. Bank Monthly Maintenance Fees6

Account TypeMonthly FeeHow to Avoid U.S. Bank Monthly Maintenance Fee
Checking$6.95
  • Have a combined monthly direct deposits totaling $1,000 or more
  • Or keep an average account balance of $1,500 
  • Or are 65 or older
Savings$4
  • Have a $300 minimum daily ledger balance
  • Or have a $1,000 average monthly collected balance
  • Or an account owner who is under the age of 18

TD Bank Monthly Maintenance Fees7

Account TypeMonthly FeeHow to Avoid TD Bank Monthly Maintenance Fee
Checking$5.99Not applicable
Savings$5
  • Maintain a $300 minimum daily balance

 

**There’s no fee for the first year with a recurring transfer of $25

Citibank Monthly Maintenance Fees8

Account TypeMonthly FeeHow to Avoid Citibank Monthly Maintenance Fee
Checking$12
  • Must make one qualifying direct deposit and one qualifying bill payment per statement period 
  • Or maintain a $1,500+ combined average monthly balance in eligible linked accounts

 **Fee also waived for account owners who are 62+ or a joint account includes a minor 

Savings$4.50
  • Maintain an average monthly balance of $500

Wells Fargo Monthly Maintenance Fees9

Account TypeMonthly FeeHow to Avoid Wells Fargo Monthly Maintenance Fee
Checking$10
  • Maintain a $500 minimum daily balance 
  • Or have $500 or more in total qualifying direct deposits
  • Or an account owner who is 17 to 24 years old
  • Or have a linked Wells Fargo Campus ATM Card or Campus Debit Card (for college students)
Savings$5
  • Have a $300 minimum daily balance
  • Or one automatic transfer each fee period of $25 or more from a linked Wells Fargo checking account
  • Or one automatic transfer each business day within the fee period of $1 or more from a linked Wells Fargo checking account
  • Or one or more Save As You Go transfers from a linked Wells Fargo checking account
  • Or an account owner who is 24 years old or younger

PNC Monthly Maintenance Fees10

Account TypeMonthly FeeHow to Avoid PNC Monthly Maintenance Fee
Checking$7
  • Have $500 in monthly direct deposits
  • Have a $500 monthly balance in Spend + Reserve
  • Or an account holder who is 62 years old or older
Savings$5
  • Have an average monthly balance of $300 
  • Or account is linked to a select PNC checking account
  • Or set up an Auto Savings transfer of $25 or more each month from your PNC Checking account to your Savings account
  • Or an account owner who is under the age of 18

 

FAQs

How do I know if a bank charges a monthly maintenance fee?

Whether you’re opening an account online or in person, the monthly fees associated with that account are usually listed on the company’s website or at the brick-in-motor branch. Financial institutions are required to let you know about any monthly fees upfront so that you aren’t surprised down the line. It’s a good idea to first do your research and compare fees before opening an account.

Why do banks charge monthly maintenance fees?

Financial institutions are for-profit businesses and need to make money to survive. Monthly maintenance fees contribute to this profit and help cover operating costs. These monthly fees can help banks offset some of the costs involved with day-to-day operations and certain account features. The ability to waive fees might also attract new customers to make larger deposits each month, hold larger balances, and even use their account(s) more frequently.

What’s a service fee?

Financial instructions charge service fees to their banking customers for conducting a specific service related to their account, such as using an ATM that’s not in-network, or being charged a credit card fee when making certain purchases. These types of fees can also be called customer service fees or maintenance fees.

Are there other banking products that have monthly maintenance fees?

You’ll commonly see monthly maintenance fees associated with personal checkings and savings accounts, and sometimes with business accounts as well. Other types of accounts, such as certificates of deposit (CDs), may charge fees or have monetary penalties.

Final thoughts

Monthly maintenance fees will ultimately vary, depending on the type of account you open and the financial institution you choose to hold your money. Each bank also has different requirements and ways to avoid these fees.

There’s a better way to avoid fees altogether: sign up for Chime to avoid monthly service fees² and get paid up to two days early with direct deposit³!

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This page is for informational purposes only. Chime does not provide financial, legal, or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for financial, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own financial, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any transaction.

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1 Chime SpotMe is an optional, no fee service that requires a single deposit of $200 or more in qualifying direct deposits to the Chime Checking Account each month and Visa debit card activation. All qualifying members will be allowed to overdraw their account up to $20 on debit card purchases and cash withdrawals initially, but may be later eligible for a higher limit of up to $200 or more based on member's Chime Account history, direct deposit frequency and amount, spending activity and other risk-based factors. Your limit will be displayed to you within the Chime mobile app. You will receive notice of any changes to your limit. Your limit may change at any time, at Chime's discretion. Although there are no overdraft fees, there may be out-of-network or third party fees associated with ATM transactions. SpotMe won't cover non-debit card transactions, including ACH transfers, Pay Anyone transfers, or Chime Checkbook transactions. See Terms and Conditions.

2 Out-of-network ATM withdrawal fees apply except at MoneyPass ATMs in a 7-Eleven location or any Allpoint or Visa Plus Alliance ATM. Other fees such as third-party and cash deposit fees may apply.

3 Early access to direct deposit funds depends on the timing of the submission of the payment file from the payer. We generally make these funds available on the day the payment file is received, which may be up to 2 days earlier than the scheduled payment date.

4 https://www.bankofamerica.com/deposits/account-fees/ “Advantage SafeBalance Banking Checking Account, Advantage Savings Account”

5 https://www.chase.com/personal/checking/total-checking
https://www.chase.com/personal/savings/savings-account

6 https://www.usbank.com/bank-accounts/savings-accounts/standard-savings-account.html
https://www.usbank.com/bank-accounts/checking-accounts.html “Easy Checking Account”

7 https://www.td.com/us/en/personal-banking/savings-accounts/simple/
https://www.td.com/us/en/personal-banking/checking-accounts/simple_b/

8 https://online.citi.com/US/ag/banking/citi-savings
https://online.citi.com/US/banking/checking/citi.action?ID=basic-banking-account

9 https://www.wellsfargo.com/checking/everyday/
https://www.wellsfargo.com/savings-cds/ “Ways2Save Savings Account”

10 https://www.pnc.com/en/personal-banking/banking/savings/standard-savings.html
https://www.pnc.com/en/personal-banking/virtual-wallet-overview.html “Virtual Wallet”

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