12 Ways to Quit Paying for Bank Fees

Banks always look for new sources of profit — and often find them at the expense of regular customers in the form of new and increased fees.

Free checking accounts are increasingly hard to find in traditional banks. And often they are only granted to customers with high bank balances.

In recent years, there have been increases in many types of fees, including:

• Monthly maintenance fees for checking accounts
• Overdraft fees
• Charges to customers who use out-of-network ATMs

Still, you can find ways to avoid being gouged. Following are some tips to help you sidestep or minimize bank fees.

1. Shop for an online bank

There may be some disadvantages to leaving your brick-and-mortar bank, including greater difficulty making large withdrawals because of ATM daily limits, for instance. You may miss the access to in-person customer assistance and extras like notary services. But because online banks have lower overhead, they can afford to charge you less.

If you shop for an online bank, you can find big savings. So, if low fees are your most important consideration, look for an online bank. One of the best ways to shop around is to visit our Solutions Center and search for banks paying the highest rates.

2. Shop for a credit union or community bank

Some people are not comfortable with online banking. No problem: Credit unions offer another option that is generally less expensive than commercial banks. Many credit unions offer free checking without requiring a minimum balance.

But do not assume all credit unions have low fees or free checking. Compare costs at credit unions versus banks, because fees and policies can vary greatly.

For more, check out “How to Pick the Best Credit Union for You.” Find a credit union near you by searching at the National Credit Union Administration website.

Fees can also be lower at community banks. Community banks pride themselves on customer service, so they often keep fees lower. But, again, it all depends on the bank you choose, so shop around.

3. Use electronic features

Here are two ways to save using electronic features:

• Opt out of paper statements. Receive online statements if your bank charges customers for paper statements. That’s a win for the bank (reducing its printing and mailing costs) and for the environment.
• Switch to online bill pay. You can stop buying envelopes and stamps for paying bills, and automate your payments so you will never again incur a late fee for forgetting to pay a bill.

4. Sign up for direct deposit

Some banks and credit unions offer free checking to customers who sign up to have paychecks and certain other regular deposits electronically deposited into the account.

5. Look for a volume discount

Some banks waive fees or give a discount when you maintain multiple accounts. But be sure to ask, because this is not a certainty.

6. Maintain a minimum balance

Banks often waive the monthly checking account fee if you keep a minimum balance in the account.

Keeping a balance also helps you leave a buffer for mistakes or miscalculations. But much depends on the size of the balance required. You may have better uses for a large amount of money — such as retirement or investment accounts with potential for growth.

7. Get cash at the grocery store

Avoid ATM fees and the inconvenience of finding a machine by paying for your groceries with a debit card, which allows you to make a cash withdrawal.

8. Use only network ATMs

Fees pile up when you use an out-of-network ATM: For starters, you pay the network’s charge. On top of that, your bank charges a fee for going out of network.

Instead, carry a minimum amount of cash at all times so you will not be forced to use a “foreign” ATM. If you must use an out-of-network ATM while traveling or shopping, withdraw a large amount so you will not have to come back for more.

9. Subscribe to email and text alerts

Use your bank’s system of electronic alerts to receive a text or email when an account balance dips below a certain level. You can choose the level yourself.

10. Cancel overdraft protection

Overdraft protection programs can cause fees to spiral out of control. So, decline the option.

11. Track your money closely

Form a new habit: Track your spending closely. This will help you prevent exorbitant overdraft fees, not to mention overspending on unnecessary purchases.

It does not matter what system you use for tracking. We recommend You Need a Budget. You can learn more about it in “An Easy Way to Track Your Spending and Build Your Savings.”

However, you also can keep a handwritten account or use a spreadsheet.

12. Be willing to switch

Comparison shopping does not need to be time-consuming. Make a list of the features and services that matter most to you, and compare costs for those at several institutions by phoning or going to their websites.

For some pointers on changing institutions, check out: “How to Switch Banks in 5 Steps.” Then, search for banks paying the best rates in our Solutions Center.