We've all been there... You open your checking account statement and see a bunch of fees that you don't even understand. Or maybe you do understand them, but you're just angry because they ate up all your hard-earned money.
Either way, nobody likes paying fees. But did you know that there are some easy ways to avoid those pesky fees? Yep - and I'm going to share them all.
here's a quick look at what we'll cover
what are the fees for a checking account?
Well, that depends on the financial institution you’re opening a checking account with. Since there are so many types of checking accounts, there are of course different types of account fees. Let’s take a look at the common types of fees you may encounter at account opening at a financial institution:
- Monthly Service Fee: Many financial institutions may charge anywhere from $15 and up to help maintain the account. However, there may be an opportunity to get this fee waived so make sure to speak to your institution about this fee waiver at account opening.
QUICK TIP: Financial institutions may waive the monthly service fee if you meet the financial institutions minimum balance amount. For example, if you have $1,600 in your checking account and $1,500 is the minimum balance to waive the fee, then you won't incur a monthly service fee.
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- Overdraft Fee: This fee occurs when you don’t have enough money in your checking account to cover a purchase and need to draw money from a different account to cover the difference. Many financial institutions may charge a fee ranging from $25 or more.
- Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) Fee: If you use a check to make a payment and the check bounces, the account holder will be charged an NSF fee which can be $35 or more.
- ATM fee: This is another common fee your financial institution may charge if you use an unaffiliated ATM. Fees may range from $2 - $8 dollars depending on a few things such as the institution you're with, the ATM you're using, and the transaction. If you’re doing an international transaction, you may pay higher fees, especially for cash withdrawals.
QUICK TIP: Most credit unions joined an ATM network known as a Co-op Shared Branch Network. The network provides a connection of fee-free ATMs between other credit unions allowing the member to access their money at more than 30,000 ATMs nationwide.
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- International ATM Fee: When using an ATM outside of the country your financial institution is located, you can also get hit with a foreign ATM fee which is typically up to $5. You can avoid this fee by getting a card that does not have a foreign transaction fee or open a checking account that doesn't charge a foreign fee.
- Foreign Transaction Fee: Also called a "currency conversion fee," you can be charged when you make transactions while traveling abroad using a debit card. The fee is typically 1% to 3% of the purchase amount.
- Paper Statement Fee: Your financial institution may charge you if they send a paper statement to your home. The fee typically ranges from $1 -$7. You can avoid this fee altogether if you opt into electronic statements, where your statements are emailed instead.
- Account Closure Fee: This is a fee banks change to get you from closing your account and leaving the institution for another. This fee also occurs if you recently opened the checking account and closed it. Plenty of banks don’t charge a fee, but others charge anywhere up to $25. Psst... before opening a checking account, make sure you're sure about the financial institution you're choosing, and make sure you ask about account closure fees for your peace of mind.
this was my face when researching all of the common account fees:
Via Giphy
how do i avoid fees on my checking account?
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ready to tackle fees on your checking account?
You don't have to be a financial expert to avoid paying checking fees. What I've shared are easy steps you can take to make sure your account is in good standing and that you're not being charged any unnecessary fees. By following these simple tips, you can save yourself a lot of money in the long run. You'll probably reach some financial savings goals a lot sooner.
Ready to tackle your checking responsibly? You can explore our checking solutions like our Simply Checking so it's a great place to start.
still have questions?
That's ok! Any of the wonderful staff at your local Skyla branch will be more than happy to help! Not near a branch or short on time? Simply send us an email, give us a call at 704.375.0183, or open your account online.
