The average monthly checking account maintenance fee has climbed past $13, more than $160 a year, before overdraft charges, ATM fees, and the rest of the fee menu most banks quietly run. Almost none of it is unavoidable.
This guide breaks down the most common bank fees, how to avoid each one, and what to do if you've already been charged, building on the account-selection basics in Financial Confidence's guide to choosing a bank.
Monthly Maintenance Fees
This is the fee your bank charges just for holding an account open, and it's almost always avoidable. Most banks waive it if you meet a simple requirement: a minimum balance, a set number of monthly debit card transactions, or, most commonly, a qualifying direct deposit. Some online-only banks skip the fee entirely by default, one reason they're worth comparing even if you keep a primary account elsewhere.
If you're currently paying this fee, call your bank and ask what it takes to waive it, the answer is usually a specific, achievable requirement you're not meeting yet, like setting up direct deposit instead of manually transferring funds in.
Check whether your bank has multiple checking account tiers with different fee structures. Sometimes the account you were defaulted into isn't the best fit for how you actually bank now, and switching tiers at the same bank, without moving to a new institution, solves the problem entirely.
Overdraft Fees
Overdraft fees, often over $30 per occurrence, are charged when a transaction exceeds your available balance and the bank covers it anyway. For debit card and ATM transactions specifically, your bank legally cannot charge an overdraft fee unless you've actively opted in to overdraft coverage. If you never opted in, those transactions should simply be declined at the point of sale rather than covered and charged, worth confirming with your bank if you're unsure of your settings.
Opt out of overdraft coverage for debit card and ATM transactions if you'd rather have a purchase declined than pay a fee
Set up low-balance alerts through your bank's app so you know before you're at risk of overdrafting
Link a savings account for automatic overdraft transfers, this typically carries a small flat fee, far less than a standard overdraft charge
Consider a bank that simply doesn't charge overdraft fees at all, a feature a growing number of banks now offer
A grace period is another feature worth checking for: some banks give you until the end of the next business day to bring your balance positive before a fee posts, turning a momentary dip into a non-event if you catch it quickly.
ATM Fees
Out-of-network ATM fees have climbed for years and now frequently run several dollars per withdrawal, sometimes charged by both your bank and the ATM operator on the same transaction. The simplest fix is using your own bank's ATM network; if that's inconvenient, look for a bank that reimburses out-of-network fees (a feature many online banks offer to compete with larger banks' branch footprints), or use cash-back at a retailer's checkout as a free way to get cash.
Wire Transfer and Paper Statement Fees
Outgoing wire transfers, especially international ones, often carry a flat fee of $15–$50 at traditional banks; for domestic transfers, ACH transfers (typically free or low-cost, just slower) are worth considering when speed isn't critical. Paper statement fees, often a few dollars a month, can usually be eliminated instantly by switching to electronic statements, an easy win most people haven't gotten around to.
Many online banks and fintech apps now offer free or low-cost domestic wire and instant transfer options to compete on this fee, so check whether your bank has a lower-cost alternative before defaulting to a standard wire for a domestic transfer.
How to Get a Fee Refunded After the Fact
If you've already been charged a fee, don't assume it's final. A simple, polite phone call asking for a one-time courtesy waiver succeeds more often than expected, particularly for a first-time overdraft or maintenance fee on an account in good standing. Banks generally have more flexibility to waive fees than their posted schedule suggests, it just requires asking.
When you call, be specific and brief: name the fee, the date it was charged, and mention you're a longtime or in-good-standing customer if true. Representatives are typically empowered to grant a limited number of courtesy waivers without special approval, so a calm, direct request is usually all it takes.
When It's Time to Switch Banks Entirely
If you're regularly paying fees your current bank won't waive, or its fee structure doesn't fit how you bank, switching is a legitimate option, not just a last resort. Compare more than monthly fees: ATM network size and reimbursement policy, overdraft handling, and any minimum balance or direct deposit requirements. When you switch, update automatic payments and direct deposits before closing the old account, and keep it open for a short overlap period to catch anything you missed.
Fees to Watch for Beyond Checking Accounts
Checking accounts get most of the attention, but fees show up elsewhere too. Some savings accounts charge a fee if your balance drops below a minimum, or limit free withdrawals per month before charging for additional ones, worth checking before assuming a savings account is free to use however you like. Foreign transaction fees, often 1–3% of the purchase, apply to many debit and credit cards used abroad or with international merchants; a growing number of banks and cards waive this fee, worth prioritizing if you travel or shop internationally. Account closure fees, charged if you close an account within a certain window of opening it (commonly 90 to 180 days), are another to check for before opening an account you might not keep long-term.
Inactivity fees are less obvious: some banks charge a fee on accounts with no activity for an extended period, typically six months to a year. If you're keeping an old account open for occasional use, a small recurring transaction or transfer can keep it active and fee-free.
Reading Your Bank's Fee Schedule
Every bank must provide a fee schedule, a document listing every possible charge and the conditions under which it applies. Most people never read theirs, which means most people operate with an incomplete picture of what could cost them money. Spending ten minutes with your bank's fee schedule at least once often reveals both fees you didn't know existed and simple ways to avoid them that your bank doesn't advertise. It's typically available in your account's online banking portal or by asking a representative.
It's also worth revisiting any time your bank sends a notice about changing account terms, fee structures change over time, and an account with no monthly fee when you opened it could add one later. A quick annual check of your fee schedule against how you actually use the account is a small habit that reliably pays for itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
For debit card and ATM transactions specifically, no, banks are required to get your opt-in consent before charging overdraft fees on those transaction types. Checks and recurring automatic payments are typically handled differently and can still trigger an overdraft fee without opt-in, so it's worth understanding which rule applies to which transaction type at your specific bank.
Often, yes, if the fees are a recurring cost that a different account structure would simply eliminate. Run the math: a $13 monthly maintenance fee is over $150 a year, which is a meaningful, entirely avoidable cost for most households.
Generally, yes, credit unions are member-owned, nonprofit institutions and tend to have lower fees and better rates than large traditional banks on average, though this varies by institution and it's still worth comparing specific accounts rather than assuming.
Paper statement fees are usually the simplest, switching to electronic statements in your account settings takes a few minutes and typically removes the fee immediately.
No, banks field these requests constantly, and a polite, reasonable request for a first-time courtesy waiver is a normal part of banking, not an unusual or risky ask.
There's no fixed limit, but banks are generally more willing to waive a first occurrence or an isolated incident than a recurring pattern. If you're asking repeatedly for the same fee, it may be a sign to change the underlying habit or account setup rather than to keep requesting waivers.
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