Should you close your foreign bank account?
Considering closing your foreign bank account? Discover the tax implications, benefits, and steps involved in making this decision. Learn more here.
Feel like it’s hard to get anything for free, these days? It’s certainly true that many accounts on offer come with monthly fixed charges, or require significant deposits to avoid service fees. But the good news is that you can still find accounts - both at traditional banks and online alternatives - which are free from fixed charges, or where the monthly costs can be easily avoided.
Don’t pay more than you have to, to access and manage your own money. Read on for more about the best free checking accounts available.
Let’s start by taking a look at some of the best free checking accounts from major US banks. Please note, that the fees and features of accounts can vary by location, and not all accounts can be opened in all states. The details given here are a guide - please check the full terms and conditions for the account based on your location before you commit to any account product.
Interest bearing account with smart online and mobile banking options and overdraft facilities
The Capital One 360 Checking Account can be opened online or in a branch, with no minimum opening deposit and no monthly fee to pay¹. You’ll be able to manage your money online or with the Capital One award winning banking app, including mobile deposits and bill pay facilities. There are several different overdraft options, including an auto-decline if you want to avoid getting into an overdraft situation. You can also link alternative accounts to cover any shortfall in your checking account if you prefer.²
It’s worth noting that you can’t make international wire payments from this account, and the fee for outgoing domestic wires can be up to $40 - worth considering if these are transactions you may need to make frequently.³
Smart checking account with tailored cashback options, optimized for online and mobile banking, and with access to an impressive free ATM network
The BBVA Online Checking Account is a good choice if you’re not sure about choosing an online only bank, but do want a top class online and mobile banking service.⁴ You’ll be able to manage your money online, and on the go, and make purchases and withdrawals using your linked Visa card. 64,000 ATMs in the US are free to use, although there is a fee for international withdrawals and purchases.
There’s a $25 opening deposit, but then no monthly fees to worry about. As a standard this account does not offer an overdraft, but you can choose to link to another account to cover any shortfall in funds, or depending on the situation, you may be able to set up an overdraft - in both cases, there’s a fee to pay. You’ll also earn cashback which is tailored to your regular purchases.
Full checking account with access to Chase ATMs and branches. Monthly fees apply, but can be avoided relatively easily
Chase serves half of American households - so although the Chase Total Checking Account is not a truly free checking account, it’s worthy of a mention as a good example of a checking account where the fixed monthly fees can be easily avoided⁷. Chase will waive the monthly service charge if you hold a minimum balance of $1,500 every day in the month, if you have $5,000 in total across eligible Chase accounts, or if you have $500 of direct deposits put into the account per month. These direct deposits could be your payroll, pension or government benefits, for example.⁸
Once you have your account open, you can operate it online or using an app, and access all of Chase’s branch and ATM network. Although you can access most normal checking account services without limitations, some fees are relatively high - including some wire payments, for example. Make sure the charges for the services you regularly pay are acceptable to you.
Full service checking account, with no monthly fee for customers under the age of 24, or who hold $100 minimum balance
The TD Bank Convenience Checking account isn’t technically fee free if you’re 24 or over, but as the minimum balance is relatively low, it’s worth a look if you want an account with a traditional bank.⁹ You’ll get a free linked card and checks, and can use TD Bank ATMs in both the US and Canada for free - useful if you travel regularly. It’s worth noting though, that there may be an international transaction fee if you use your card overseas.¹⁰
You’ll be able to manage your money online easily, and this account comes with waived monthly fees and overdraft protection charges for students aged under 24.
Although you can get free checking accounts from traditional banks, if you usually use online banking anyway, you may benefit from choosing an online only account instead. Without the overheads of regular banks, online only institutions can often offer lower fees, and may have specialist services available, such as currency conversion, at a price traditional banks can’t match. Here are a few online accounts to consider:
Online credit union account with solid 0.25% interest rates and access to 80,000 fee free ATMs
Alliant is a digital credit union - and as a credit union, there are eligibility criteria you’ll need to meet to join.¹¹ ¹² ¹³ But this account is well worth a look thanks to the interest rates available, as well as a range of other perks. You can join Alliant if you live in some Chicago districts, if you’re a current or retired employee of any of their partner businesses, live with someone who is, or if you join their partner charity - Foster Care to Success. Check the full details online if you’re not sure whether or not you’re eligible.
ATM usage with this account is free within the 80,000 strong eligible ATM network, and you’ll be reimbursed some of your fees for withdrawals outside the network. It’s worth noting that you may need to pay - and won’t necessarily be reimbursed - a fee for overseas withdrawals.¹⁴
Hold dozens of currencies in one account, switch between them using the mid-market exchange rate, and spend easily with your linked debit Mastercard.
The multi-currency account from Wise is a good option if you travel regularly, send or receive international payments, or love to shop online with retailers based abroad. As a true multi-currency account, you can hold 40+ currencies, and receive fee free payments from major regions including the US, UK, euro area, New Zealand and Australia. ¹⁵
Switch between currencies using the mid-market exchange rate and just a low fee - and you’ll never be charged to spend currencies you hold using your linked debit card. That means no foreign transaction fees when abroad or shopping with international retailers online.
Everyday online account which allows direct deposit payments to arrive 2 days early, and comes with optional saving tools
The Chime free account has no minimum deposit or monthly fee, and handy perks like early direct deposits, and a savings tool which rounds up purchases and adds them to a savings pot. You can manage your money online using the highly rated app. ¹⁶
Fees are low,¹⁷ but it’s worth noting that this account does not have all the same functionality you might get from an account offered by a traditional bank. At the moment, for example, you can’t make or receive wire transfers through this account, which may limit you if you choose this product.¹⁸
Free to use account which offers the opportunity to earn an impressive 1.25% interest, and no domestic ATM charges
The Axos Rewards checking account is one of the most popular available from this digital bank[20]. One key strength is the opportunity to earn up to 1.25% interest, subject to meeting eligibility criteria. To get the full amount you’ll need to receive monthly direct deposits of at least $1,000 into the account, and use your debit card at least 15 times over the month. ²¹
The other big perk is unlimited reimbursements on domestic ATM withdrawals, meaning you’ll never pay to use your card to get money here in the US.
Hopefully the accounts above have given you a lot to think about. But if you don’t see quite what you need, here are another few to take a look at.
No monthly fee if you sign up for electronic statements, for an account which comes with a range of perks including a debit card, Zelle Pay and the opportunity to earn interest up to an impressive 3% subject to meeting certain conditions.²² ²³
This account comes with no monthly fees or minimum balances, and a neat range of tools to review and manage your money, and make sure you’re growing your savings. There are pretty much no fees to worry about at all, making this account simple, but smart.²⁴ ²⁵
Earn interest on your balance, with no monthly fees or minimum balances to worry about. Allpoint ATMs are free to use, and you’ll also get up to $10 a month reimbursed against out of network charges.²⁶
Get your pay 2 days early, and access a $50 overdraft fee free if you qualify - all with no monthly fees or minimum balance.²⁷
Still wondering which account may work best for you? Here are a few answers to common questions about free checking accounts.
The good news is that it’s still possible to find checking accounts which do not have fixed monthly costs - or at least, where it is easy to have the monthly costs waived. You will still pay some fees, depending on how you use your account - but there should not be any ongoing charges to eat away at your balance over time.
Before you choose an account, think about the services you’ll actually use, and check the fees for these transactions. That will help you find the best value account for your specific needs.
Different banks use different phrasing to describe the costs and charges associated with their accounts. Usually you’ll find that a service charge is a fixed price, payable monthly or annually to keep your account open, regardless of the way you use it.
Fees, on the other hand, are typically levied according to the services you actually use. You’ll find fees listed in your account terms and conditions, for transactions such as wire transfers, international payments and ATM withdrawals.
You’ll find some checking accounts do offer interest, while others do not. It’s worth comparing a good range of accounts, and looking carefully at the interest rates on offer, compared with the fees and other possible perks such as cashback.
For example, depending on how much you intend to keep in your account at any one time, a product which offers interest - but charges a monthly service fee - may not be better value than a fee-free account, which may offer no interest but have other great features such as cash back on spending.
Banks do not usually put limits on the amount you can hold in a checking account. However, it is important to note that your money is only insured up to the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation)
The FDIC insures each account holder for up to $250,000 per bank.²⁸ That means that if your bank fails, the FDIC will repay your deposit up to this amount, plus any interest earned. However, any money held above the insurance limits for the account type will not be insured, which effectively means splitting your savings is a smart move, once you start to accumulate wealth. Check if your bank is FDIC insured, online.²⁹
Getting the right free checking account can make day to day life easier, and also save you money.
It’s worth researching before choosing an account, to make sure you get the account product which is best for your needs. Make sure you look at the features and fees of each account carefully to balance the convenience, cost and benefits of each - and don’t forget to consider modern alternatives to traditional banks, such as the multi-currency account from Wise, to see if you can save.
Sources:
Sources last checked 14 May 2020
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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