8 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 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.
Check out our list of banks that reimburse ATM fees or otherwise help you avoid ATM fees.
- + See a summary of our picks
8 best banks 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.
Consumers Credit Union: Best credit union for free domestic ATM access (tie).
E*TRADE: Best online bank for free domestic ATM access (tie).
EverBank: Best online bank for free domestic ATM access (tie).
LendingClub: Best online bank for free international ATM access.
Quontic Bank: Best online bank for free domestic ATM access (tie).
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.
Best Banks to Avoid ATM Fees
| Bank/institution | NerdWallet rating | Learn more |
|---|---|---|
4.9/5 | LEARN MORE at Alliant Credit Union, Federally insured by NCUA | |
4.3/5 | ||
4.6/5 | ||
4.0/5 | ||
4.5/5 | ||
4.4/5 | ||
4.4/5 | ||
4.4/5 |
Our pick for
Credit union with free domestic ATM access
Our pick for
Online bank with free domestic ATM access
Our pick for
Free worldwide ATM access
Our pick for
Online bank with free international ATM access
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, Consumers Credit Union, E*TRADE, EverBank, and LendingClub Bank.
Last updated on December 19, 2023
Methodology
We took a close look at over 90 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.
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).
Financial institutions and providers surveyed are: Affirm, All America Bank, Alliant Credit Union, Ally Bank, Amalgamated Bank, America First Credit Union, American Express National Bank, Andrews Federal Credit Union, Associated Bank, Axos Bank, Bank of America, Bank5 Connect, Bank7, Barclays, Bask Bank, Bethpage Federal Credit Union, BMO, BMO Alto, Boeing Employees Credit Union, Bread Savings, BrioDirect, Capital One, Carver Federal Savings Bank, Charles Schwab Bank, Chase, Chime, CIBC U.S., CIT Bank, Citibank, Citizens, Citizens Bank, City First Bank, Climate First Bank, Commerce Bank, Community First Credit Union of Florida, ConnectOne Bank, Connexus Credit Union, Consumers Credit Union, Current, Delta Community Credit Union, Discover Bank, E*TRADE, EverBank (formerly TIAA Bank), Fifth Third Bank, First Foundation, First National Bank, First Tech Federal Credit Union, Flagstar Bank, FNBO Direct, Global Credit Union, GO2bank, Golden 1 Credit Union, Greenwood, Hope Credit Union, Huntington Bank, Industrial Bank, Ivy Bank, KeyBank, Lake Michigan Credit Union, LendingClub Bank, Liberty Bank, Live Oak Bank, M&T Bank, Marcus by Goldman Sachs, Navy Federal Credit Union, NBKC, One, OneUnited Bank, Pentagon Federal Credit Union, PNC, 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, Suncoast Credit Union, Synchrony Bank, TAB Bank, TD Bank, Truist Bank, U.S. Bank, UFB Direct, Upgrade, USAA Bank, Varo, Vio Bank, Wells Fargo and Zynlo Bank.
NerdWallet's Best Banks to Avoid ATM Fees
- Alliant Credit Union: Best for Credit union with free domestic ATM access
- Axos Bank®: Best for Online bank with free domestic ATM access
- Schwab Bank: Best for Free worldwide ATM access
- Consumers Credit Union: Best for Credit union with free domestic ATM access
- LendingClub Bank: Best for Online bank with free international ATM access
- Quontic Bank: Best for Online bank with free domestic ATM access
- EverBank: Best for Online bank with free domestic ATM access
- Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association: Best for Online bank with free domestic ATM access