Best Banks to Avoid ATM Fees
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Want to save some money each time you use the ATM? Think about changing your bank.
If you use out-of-network ATMs even a couple times a month, you could find yourself paying more than $60 per year in ATM fees from your bank and the ATMs’ owners. But not all banks charge for easy access to your cash — and some even reimburse you for ATM owner fees.
Check out our list of banks that reimburse ATM fees or otherwise help you avoid ATM fees, and then scroll down for more details about these options.
Citibank Best brick-and-mortar bank for free domestic ATM access
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LendingClub Best bank for free domestic ATM access (tie)
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Axos Bank Best bank for free domestic ATM access (tie)
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Consumers Credit Union Best credit union for free domestic ATM access
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Charles Schwab Bank Best bank for free international ATM access
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Here are more details on the financial institutions that make it much less expensive to access your money via ATM.
Citibank
BEST BRICK-AND-MORTAR BANK FOR FREE DOMESTIC ATM ACCESS
Free ATMs: Citibank offers 65,000+ ATMs fee-free to customers, including ATMs in stores such as CVS, Target, Rite Aid and Walgreens.
Accounts with the perk: All Citibank checking accounts.
Keep in mind: Holders of some high-end accounts see fewer ATM fees from Citibank, including waived non-network ATM fees from Citibank and third-party owners, as well as waived foreign exchange fees. (Other account holders may pay a fee.) But these accounts also require you to maintain high balances at Citi to avoid monthly fees.
» Compare checking accounts: Find a good match with NerdWallet’s best checking accounts
LendingClub
BEST BANK FOR FREE DOMESTIC ATM ACCESS (TIE)
Free ATMs: LendingClub won’t charge a fee to use a non-network ATM anywhere in the world, and it will reimburse you for any fees you’re charged by the ATM owner at the end of your statement cycle.
Accounts with the perk: Rewards Checking.
Keep in mind: Essential Checking does not reimburse ATM fees. And while LendingClub reimbursements do apply worldwide, you’ll still be charged a foreign transaction fee for using your card abroad.
» Looking for a good overall account? Check out NerdWallet’s best banks and credit unions
Axos Bank
BEST BANK FOR FREE DOMESTIC ATM ACCESS (TIE)
Free ATMs: At any ATM in the U.S., Axos won’t charge a fee, and they’ll reimburse you any fees the ATM owner charges.
Accounts with the perk: Rewards Checking, CashBack Checking and Essential Checking.
Keep in mind: Golden Checking and First Checking reimburse ATM fees, too, but they have monthly caps on the amount you can get back. And Axos charges a 1% fee for international ATM withdrawals and debit card purchases.
Consumers Credit Union
BEST CREDIT UNION FOR FREE DOMESTIC ATM ACCESS
Free ATMs: As part of the Co-op ATM Network, Consumers Credit Union offers more than 30,000 free ATMs. You’ll also be reimbursed for any ATM fees if you use an ATM outside of the network, with no cap.
Accounts with the perk: Rewards Checking.
Keep in mind: Student Choice Checking also reimburses ATM fees, but it has a monthly cap. Foreign transaction fees apply for using ATMs outside the country.
Membership requirements: To be eligible to join the credit union, you have to become a member of Consumers Cooperative Association, which requires a one-time $5 membership fee.
Charles Schwab Bank
BEST BANK FOR FREE INTERNATIONAL ATM ACCESS
Free ATMs: With Schwab, you have free access to any ATM worldwide. Rebates are unlimited, and unlike all of the other banks on this list, Schwab doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee.
Accounts with the perk: High Yield Investor Checking Account.
Keep in mind: Schwab is mainly an investment company, and this account is must be linked to a Schwab One brokerage account. You can open both accounts at the same time.
» If you rely on your bank’s app, explore Nerdwallet’s best banks for mobile banking
Don’t see your bank on this list of best banks to avoid ATM fees? Here’s what to do
Many of these accounts have other perks, such as no monthly fees. But if you don't want to switch banks, remember that virtually any financial institution will let you withdraw money for free from its own ATMs, and many now have apps that help you locate the nearest free cash machine. Often, credit unions and community banks participate in larger shared ATM networks, too.
Best banks with no ATM fees
Bank | ATM network and fees |
|---|---|
Citibank | More than 65,000 fee-free ATMs. |
LendingClub | Unlimited ATM fee reimbursements worldwide on certain accounts. |
Axos Bank | Unlimited ATM fee reimbursements domestically on certain accounts. |
Consumers Credit Union | More than 30,000 fee-free ATMs, and unlimited ATM fee reimbursements on certain accounts. |
Charles Schwab Bank | Unlimited ATM fee reimbursements worldwide and no foreign transaction fees. |
Methodology
We took a close look at over 80 financial institutions and financial service providers, including the largest U.S. banks based on assets, internet search traffic and other factors; the nation’s largest credit unions, based on assets and membership; and other notable and/or emerging players in the industry. We rated them on criteria including annual percentage yields, minimum balances, fees, digital experience and more.
Financial institutions and providers surveyed are: Affirm, Alaska USA Federal Credit Union, Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, America First Credit Union, American Express National Bank, Axos Bank, Bank of America, Bank of the West, Bank5 Connect, Bank7, Barclays, BB&T (now Truist), BMO Harris, Boeing Employees Credit Union, BrioDirect, Capital One, Charles Schwab Bank, Chase, Chime, CIBC U.S., CIT Bank, Citibank, Citizens Access, Citizens Bank, Comenity Direct, ConnectOne Bank, Connexus Credit Union, Consumers Credit Union, Current, Discover Bank, E-Trade, Fifth Third Bank, First Foundation, First Tech Federal Credit Union, FNBO Direct, GO2bank, Golden 1 Credit Union, HSBC Bank, Huntington Bank, KeyBank, Lake Michigan Credit Union, LendingClub Bank, Live Oak Bank, M&T Bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Monifi, Nationwide (by Axos), Navy Federal Credit Union, NBKC, One, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, PNC, Popular Direct, PurePoint Financial, Quontic Bank, Redneck Bank, Regions Bank, Revolut, Salem Five Direct, Sallie Mae Bank, Santander Bank, Scarlet, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Security Service Federal Credit Union, Service Credit Union, State Employees’ Credit Union of North Carolina, Suncoast Credit Union, SunTrust Bank (now Truist), Synchrony Bank, TAB Bank, TCF Bank, TD Bank, TIAA Bank, U.S. Bank, UFB Direct, Union Bank, Upgrade, USAA Bank, Varo, Vio Bank, Wells Fargo and Zynlo Bank. How we rate banks and credit unions.
