Due to rising bank fees and overwhelming account disclosures, many consumers will find difficulty shopping for a key financial product: a basic checking account. While monthly service fees can often be waived by meeting minimum balance or usage requirements, it can take a lot of extra effort and a slip-up will cost you. Why not stick to the basics and ensure that you get a truly free checking account?
Free Checking Accounts
The government mandates that a checking account cannot be marketed as a free account if the consumer could potentially be charged a maintenance or activity fee. Be cautious, however, since you can still be charged for things like ATM withdrawals, overdrafts, and checks.
NerdWallet is helping to take the headache out of finding a free checking account. Below, we’ve listed some banks and credit unions with completely free checking to get you started. You can also use our handy checking account tool to find the best fit, or see NerdWallet’s Best Free Checking Accounts at Credit Unions – Fall 2012 edition.
We are always on the lookout for great accounts. Got a suggestion? Let us know in the comments below. Are you a credit union or bank that offers a free checking account? Email us at checking@nerdwallet.com
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- Alliant Credit Union
- Ally Bank
- Capital One 360
- EverBank
- Fifth Third Bank
- First Internet Bank
- Kinecta Federal Credit Union
- M&T Bank
- Navy Federal Credit Union
- PerkStreet Financial
- PNC
- TCF
- TIAA Direct
- Union Bank
- USAA
- First Tech Federal Credit Union
- Members 1st Credit Union
- Patelco Credit Union
- Stanford Federal Credit Union
- University Credit Union
- USE Credit Union
- Digital Federal Credit Union
- Harvard University Employees Credit Union
- Rockland Federal Credit Union
- Clearview Federal Credit Union
- PA Central Credit Union
- Pennsylvania State Employees Credit Union
- Police and Fire Federal Credit Union
- Student Federal Credit Union at the University of Pennsylvania
- Classic Bank
- Generations Federal Credit Union
- Texas Partners Federal Credit Union
- United Heritage Credit Union
- University Federal Credit Union
- ViewPoint Bank
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