5 Best Banks to Avoid ATM Fees for 2026
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Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.
Many or all of the products on this page are from partners who compensate us when you click to or take an action on their website, but this does not influence our evaluations or ratings. Our opinions are our own.
Want to save some money each time you use the ATM? Think about changing your bank. Check out our list of banks that reimburse ATM fees or otherwise help you avoid ATM fees.
If you use out-of-network ATMs even twice 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 fees.
+ See a summary of our picks
6 best banks and credit unions with no ATM fees
Alliant Credit Union: Best credit union for free domestic ATM access (tie).
Axos Bank: Best online bank for free domestic ATM access (tie).
Charles Schwab Bank: Best bank for free worldwide ATM access (tie).
E*TRADE: Best bank for free worldwide ATM access (tie).
EverBank: Best online bank for free domestic ATM access (tie).
LendingClub: Best online bank for free international ATM access.
We took a close look at dozens of banks to determine the best institutions for avoiding ATM fees. We considered the following factors: the size of a fee-free ATM network, ATM fee reimbursements and out-of-network ATM fees (or the lack of fees). We focused on the highest number of ATMs in a network and the biggest scope of fee reimbursements (domestic and international).
Why you can trust NerdWallet: Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage to help you choose the financial accounts that work best for you. See our criteria for evaluating banks and credit unions.
| Bank/institution | NerdWallet rating | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
4.9/5 | LEARN MOREon partner's site at Alliant Credit Union, Federally insured by NCUA | |
4.2/5 | ||
4.7/5 | ||
4.8/5 | ||
4.4/5 |
Our pick for
Credit union with free domestic ATM access
LEARN MOREon partner's siteat Alliant Credit Union, Federally insured by NCUANerdWallet rating4.9/5LEARN MOREon partner's siteat Alliant Credit Union, Federally insured by NCUAOur Take
Why We Like ItFree ATMs: Alliant Credit Union provides fee-free access to more than 80,000 ATMs through third-party networks, plus up to $20 in ATM fee rebates each month.
Accounts with the perk: Both Alliant checking accounts, High-Yield Checking and Teen Checking.
Keep in mind: Alliant accepts cash deposits at some, but not all, in-network ATMs. There is a 1% foreign transaction fee when using ATMs abroad.
Membership requirements: To be eligible to join the credit union, you can become a member of an affiliated nonprofit. Alliant pays a one-time $5 contribution on your behalf.
Our pick for
Best bank for free worldwide ATM access
- NerdWallet rating4.2/5
Our Take
Why We Like ItFree ATMs: With Schwab, you have free access to any ATM worldwide. Rebates are unlimited, and Schwab doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee.
Accounts with the perk: High Yield Investor Checking Account.
Keep in mind: Schwab doesn’t accept cash deposits. It’s also mainly an investment company, and the checking account must be linked to a Schwab One brokerage account. You can open both accounts at the same time.
- NerdWallet rating4.4/5
Our Take
Why We Like ItFree ATMs: E*TRADE, an online brokerage and banking platform owned by Morgan Stanley Private Bank, doesn’t charge for withdrawals from any ATM. Max-Rate Checking offers unlimited ATM fee refunds worldwide and also refunds foreign transaction fees, making international ATM usage free.
Account with the perk: Max-Rate Checking account.
Keep in mind: Max-Rate Checking has a monthly fee, though it can be waived with a $5,000 average monthly balance. E*TRADE’s free account, Checking, provides ATM refunds nationwide, but not worldwide, and doesn’t refund foreign transaction fees, which are 1%.
Our pick for
Online bank with free international ATM access
- NerdWallet rating4.7/5
Our Take
Why We Like ItFree 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: LevelUp Checking.
Keep in mind: While LendingClub reimbursements do apply worldwide, you’ll still be charged a foreign transaction fee for using your card abroad.
Our pick for
Online bank with free domestic ATM access
- NerdWallet rating4.8/5
Our Take
Why We Like ItFree ATMs: As part of both the Allpoint and MoneyPass ATM networks, EverBank offers fee-free use of more than 80,000 ATMs, plus reimbursements for up to $15 in out-of-network ATM fees each month. There’s no limit to the number of ATM fee reimbursements for accounts with average daily balances of at least $5,000.
Accounts with the perk: Yield Pledge Checking and Yield Pledge Money Market accounts.
Keep in mind: For cash deposits made at ATMs that aren’t owned by the bank, funds of up to $6,725 aren’t available until five business days later, and funds over that amount aren’t available until eight business days later. Holding funds like this is common at financial institutions, so make sure to read the fine print if you plan on making large deposits.
Don’t see your bank on this list of best banks to avoid ATM fees? Here’s what to do
Many of these bank accounts have other perks, such as no monthly fees. But if you don't want to switch banks, remember that nearly 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 ATM. Often, credit unions, online banks and community banks participate in nationwide shared ATM networks such as Allpoint and MoneyPass, too.
3 national banks’ large ATM networks
Most ATM access at online banks and credit unions relies on third-party networks, requiring an extra step of knowing which ATMs are in which network. Either you’d use an ATM locator on the institutions’ mobile app or website or become familiar with certain third-party ATM logos. However, several of the largest banks in the U.S. have sizable ATMs that are strictly their own, logos and all. Here are the top three:
Chase: More than 15,000 ATMs.
Bank of America: About 15,000 ATMs.
Wells Fargo Bank: About 11,000 ATMs.
What is an out-of-network ATM fee?
An out-of-network ATM fee is a service fee a bank charges you when you use an ATM that isn’t part of its network. In addition to your bank charging you an out-of-network ATM fee, the owner of the ATM you use might also charge a service fee.
How much is an out-of-network ATM fee
A typical out-of-network ATM fee from a national bank can be about $2.50 or $3 per instance. If you use an out-of-network ATM even just twice a month, you could be subject to as much as $72 in fees in one year.
How can I avoid out-of-network ATM fees?
You can avoid being charged out-of-network ATM fees in two main ways:
Using only ATMs owned by your bank.
Getting cash back when you use your debit card to make a PIN-based purchase from a retailer, though the maximum amount may be lower than at an ATM.
» MORE: Learn how to avoid ATM fees
What is an ATM fee reimbursement?
Some banks offer ATM fee reimbursements or refunds, which means that they credit your account for ATM fees you’re charged. For example, if you use an out-of-network ATM and are charged a fee by its owner, your bank would credit your account for that fee.
What are the banks that reimburse ATM fees?
From our list of the best banks to avoid ATM fees, the institutions that reimburse ATM fees are Alliant Credit Union, Axos Bank, Charles Schwab Bank, E*TRADE, EverBank and LendingClub Bank.
Last updated on February 6, 2026
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100+
Financial institutions reviewed
100+
Financial institutions reviewed
We took a close look at around 100 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 players in the industry. We rated them on criteria including annual percentage yields, minimum balances, fees, digital experience and more.
30+
Categories assessed
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Categories assessed
Each provider is evaluated across five weighted categories and 30 subcategories, including checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, customer experience, and overdraft services. For banks or credit unions without one or more types of accounts, the overall rating is modified to include only applicable categories. Institutions are not penalized if they don't offer every type of account.
60+
Data points analyzed
60+
Data points analyzed
We considered more than 60 data points for each provider. Depending on the category, these included account fees and rates (such as annual percentage yields), ATM and branch access, account features, account bonuses, customer service access and user-facing technology, such as innovative tools and mobile apps. We gathered this information for each financial institution from its website, a media representative or both.
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The review team is made up of seasoned writers and editors who cover personal banking deposit accounts, such as checking, savings and certificates of deposit, as well as related banking services, such as overdraft programs and ATM networks. For providers without one or more types of accounts, the overall rating is modified to include only applicable categories. Institutions are not penalized if they don't offer every type of account.
Financial institutions and providers surveyed are: Affirm, All America Bank, Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Alto, Amalgamated Bank, American Express National Bank, Andrews Federal Credit Union, Associated Bank, Axos Bank, Bank of America, Bank5 Connect, Barclays, Bask Bank, BMO, Boeing Employees Credit Union, Bread Savings®, BrioDirect, Capital One, Cash App, CFG Bank, Charles Schwab Bank, Chase, Chime, CIBC U.S., CIT Bank, Citibank, Citizens Access, Citizens Bank, Climate First Bank, ConnectOne Bank, Connexus Credit Union, Consumers Credit Union, Current, Customers Bank, Discover® Bank, E*TRADE, EverBank, Fifth Third Bank, First Foundation, First Internet Bank, First Tech Federal Credit Union, FNBO Direct, Forbright Bank, FourLeaf Federal Credit Union, GO2bank, Golden 1 Credit Union, Hope Credit Union, HSBC Bank, Huntington Bank, Ivy Bank, KeyBank, Lake Michigan Credit Union, LendingClub Bank, Live Oak Bank, M&T Bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, My Banking Direct, NASA Federal Credit Union, Navy Federal Credit Union, NBKC, Newtek Bank, OMB Bank, OnePay, Openbank, PayPal, Peak Bank, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, PNC, Poppy Bank, Popular Direct, Quontic Bank, Regions Bank, Revolut, Salem Five Direct, Sallie Mae Bank, Santander Bank, SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union, Security Service Federal Credit Union, Securityplus Federal Credit Union, Self-Help Credit Union, Service Credit Union, SoFi, State Employees’ Credit Union of North Carolina, Synchrony Bank, TAB Bank, TD Bank, Truist Bank, U.S. Bank, UFB Direct, Upgrade, USAA Bank, Valley Bank, Varo, Venmo, Vio Bank, Wells Fargo, Western Alliance Bank, Zolve and Zynlo Bank.
NerdWallet does not receive compensation for our star ratings. Read more about our ratings methodologies for banks and credit unions and our editorial guidelines.
NerdWallet's Best Banks to Avoid ATM Fees for 2026
- Alliant Credit Union: Best for Credit union with free domestic ATM access
- Schwab Bank: Best for Best bank for free worldwide ATM access
- LendingClub Bank: Best for Online bank with free international ATM access
- EverBank, N.A.: Best for Online bank with free domestic ATM access
- Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association: Best for Best bank for free worldwide ATM access