Do any banks offer free checking anymore?

[Disneyliscious]

I haven't had a bank account in years. I have all my money deposited to my Wal-Mart card via direct deposit (and being that I farm, I deal mainly in cash).

I would like to open an ING savings or checking account but I see that you can't unless you have a checking account to link to it?

I looked at most of the major banks and see that they are all now charging for checking accounts. I just can't justify paying $70-$90 a year to have an account.

Are there any banks still offering free checking? Or is there a way to open an ING account without a checking account? But then, how would you make deposits to it, so I guess not.

 

[fireflymedic]

I haven't had a bank account in years. I have all my money deposited to my Wal-Mart card via direct deposit (and being that I farm, I deal mainly in cash).

I would like to open an ING savings or checking account but I see that you can't unless you have a checking account to link to it?

I looked at most of the major banks and see that they are all now charging for checking accounts. I just can't justify paying $70-$90 a year to have an account.

Are there any banks still offering free checking? Or is there a way to open an ING account without a checking account? But then, how would you make deposits to it, so I guess not.

USAA an internet bank gives free checking they even rebate any costs you get for using an ATM machine. I do think you have to have direct deposit to get it free

 

[HelenePA]

We have totally free checking... check your LOCAL banks no big names.

 

[SC Minnie]

Credit Union.

 

[diesel]

yes credit union

 

[Abbeysmom]

I think some credit unions...unfortunately not ours anymore...just in the last two months our local credit union has done away with free checking. There seems to be a few local banks that advertise free checking so I would just shop around and find something that works for you.

 

[dawnn12]

i have two td bank accts one has a monthly charge $3 and one does not the one that doesnt has to have $100 in it at all times or they charge you 7 for that month

 

[puffkin]

I have free checking at a pretty big bank in the northeast, so it definitely does exist!

 

[bdcp]

We use two credit unions and have access to a third (USAA) and all offer free checking. I refuse to pay a bank for a variety of reasons. They already make a ton on checks and other fees.

 

[Madison'smommy]

We have an account at BB&T, I think if it goes below an amount we get charged. I have a little account for my play money at SUntrust, no fees at all. It is just a basic checking account.

 

[alyssa810]

I have a citizens bank account that I got through work (Citizens is pretty big in the new england anyway) that we used to have no fees. This recently changed and now I don't have free checks anymore, and I have to maintain a balance or have at least 5 transactions a month to waive the monthly fee. The only reason why I keep this account at all is because there are Citizens ATMs on every corner and I do most of my bills with this account.

My DH and I have the rest of our accounts through a smaller local bank where we have no fees and the tellers know us.

I like have the the option of both, so I keep both as long as I don't pay fees.

 

[Sarahlovy]

We have a Regions checking account that is free as long as we have direct deposit every month. You can also keep it free by having $1000 balance (steep in my opinion) or 15 electric transitions per cycle.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

We have a free checking account at Chase because we have a certain balance in our savings account there. We also get a free safe deposit box. If our savings balance falls below a certain level, then we would have to pay fees.

 

[trip]

We have accounts at three banks that have no charge checking. Bank of the West, a local credit union and USAA.

 

[Lumiere Lover]

Check your local credit union for membership availability. You either need to work for a specific group/company, or live in a specific area. You will find better rates and lower fees with a credit union (can you tell what kind of company I work for??).

Call around or check the internet. You will find credit unions very friendly.

 

[donaldandpirates]

Credit Union here as well. It was the best decision we ever made regarding our banking.

 

[ellone]

We have totally free checking... check your LOCAL banks no big names.

We do as well. Local banks are the way to go.

 

[satorifound]

I got a free checking account online at ally bank. It has interest too. Well, only half a percent, but it is something. I don't know if you have to have another account linked to it. I do, but only because I do an automatic transfer every week. It is our savings/checking account. LOL

 

[ancestry]

Another vote for a credit union. We switched about 18 months ago to a credit union and love it. Free checking and we earn 4.01% interest on our checking account balance.

 

[justintime]

I have an account at both a big name bank and a local bank, and neither charges any fees as long as you maintain a $100 balance