Do any banks offer free checking anymore?

[Mickeyflower]

Just about every bank offers free checking accounts. You have to ask though. They do not like advertising them because well, they make NO MONEY off of them. Yes you can always get them to wave the monthly service fee for keeping combines balances, direct deposit, etc; and those are the types of accounts they will try to get you to open. Just go into a bank near you and ask if they have a free checking account without strings attached.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

I have a free Chase checking acct & I also have a Kemba credit union acct both are free.

 

[mh1973]

Banking is changing, and there will be more fees. Be looking out for monthly check card fees because of the Dodd-Frank act. If you do find a free account, that's great but I think the days of free checking are going away. Just keep in mind, banks do provide a service and they are a for profit business.

With all the recent government regulations on banking, things are going to change very soon.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/20/free-checking-is-disappea_n_769298.html

 

[dhardawa]

I have two free checking accounts with PNC.

 

[Swimalie]

I have 2 free checking accounts. One is with a national bank that just got bought out by another national account. The other was with a small bank but it just got bought out by a large national account. I have to keep a minimum in each but it's not a problem.

We closed our credit union account when they started charging each month.

 

[dfchelbay]

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.

I know that PNC Bank has free checking. I do not bank there, but I see their advertisements all the time for it. I know it's a national chain of banks, so maybe there is one where you live.

 

[aubriee]

Banking is changing, and there will be more fees. Be looking out for monthly check card fees because of the Dodd-Frank act. If you do find a free account, that's great but I think the days of free checking are going away. Just keep in mind, banks do provide a service and they are a for profit business.

With all the recent government regulations on banking, things are going to change very soon.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/20/free-checking-is-disappea_n_769298.html

I just checked with my coworkers to make sure, but all of the banks around here have free checking and my coworkers looked at me like I had two heads when I asked. The banks mentioned that definitely have free checking are Texas Bank and Trust, American National Bank, Wells Fargo, First National Bank, First State Bank, and several credit unions.

 

[Disneyliscious]

Thanks for all your replies. I checked with my local credit union which I'm eligible to join because of where I live. They charge a $25 membership fee and a $5 yearly fee. Plus, you can't open it online. Thats still less than a bank charges and also less than the $36 a year I pay for my current account. I guess I may just have to make my way into their office to see if I can open an account.

 

[JB2K]

For those of you who say "credit unions are the way to go" or the same for "local" banks, remember no two are created quite the same, meaning while yours may be free, the one(s) where OP is may not be.

As for "free" checking, with the exception of USAA and a few others, it is becoming extremely rare because of the restrictions the current administration in Washington has placed on the mega-banks (which has trickled-down to the smallest players, too).

 

[HsvTeacher]

We use a local credit union, and the accounts earn interest. The only charge is for ordering checks, and they require that you keep a $5 in the account at all times. At the time I opened the account, you also either had to be a government employee or a dependent of one to open the account.

 

[LaceyLace]

I'm confused with the term "free checking" and how everyone says it's dying. I've had a BOA checking account for years and have never paid a fee.

Maybe it's because I keep a balance in there I suppose. So as long as you have $$ in an account at any bank, wouldn't checking always be free? (Like I said... I'm confused).

 

[delmar411]

We have free checking with Chase and Huntington. The Huntington one is no strings attached free checking and I have to use my bank card 5x/mth with the Chase acct to keep it free.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We bank with USAA and checking is still free. They are ending their rewards program on the debit card, though.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I'm confused with the term "free checking" and how everyone says it's dying. I've had a BOA checking account for years and have never paid a fee.

Maybe it's because I keep a balance in there I suppose. So as long as you have $$ in an account at any bank, wouldn't checking always be free? (Like I said... I'm confused).

We prefer to not bank with a company that requires holding our money at a minimum level in exchange for free.

I had our renter's security deposit in an account with chase. They did away with "free" checking, but you got the fee waived with a minimum balance or direct deposit. It was only to hold the security deposit, so we had no intentions of adding to the balance on a regular basis or letting them hold on to more of our money for their free use. So we closed the account and the money now sits in our "free" USAA accounts where everything is truly free. Though they have seen much of our business elsewhere that isn't free. (lending)

 

[bettymae1121]

I have free checking at Chase and the only requirement is to have at least two direct deposits a month, since between DH and I we get paid every week and we'd want our pay direct deposited anyway, it works out perfectly for us. No minimum amount required, no debit card usage required. I've had the account for 3 years and haven't paid a dime to Chase.

 

[Doorman]

I have free checking at Chase and the only requirement is to have at least two direct deposits a month, since between DH and I we get paid every week and we'd want our pay direct deposited anyway, it works out perfectly for us.

This is a good option if you regularly use direct deposit; lots of banks still have free checking if you have a paycheck deposited regularly, I guess because they figure that means you'll usually have a bit of money in the account even without an official minimum balance.

If you don't have a regular direct deposit, for big national banks that still have free checking, this site lists a few.

For credit unions, the national credit union association has a search tool where you can search by zip code.

 

[kellydizfan]

Where we have ours does and where I work does also.

 

[disneylove69]

I have Wells Fargo and Chase and pay for neither.

 

[n2mm]

Credit Union.

I agree

Been a FCU member for 30 years and all of my family also. I don't even pay for my first box of checks each year and I rarely use checks. No fees for using them. OP I would suggest looking into a CU. Now that I'm retired there are "shared" CU branches and it makes them so much easier to get to, though I seldom have to go. I've been retired 10 months now and have only had to go 3 times, and that was to get $$ for my Disney trips.

OP, I just read your other post and am shocked that there are fees. However, I belong to a Federal CU and no fee ever. I do maintain a $50 balance in my savings, but no balance required for my checking. No fees ever and I earn interest. My SIL belongs to a different one, but he was given $50 just to join and every family member also was given $50 to join. I guess we have more competition living near Wash. DC then other parts of the country.

 

[Swimalie]

I agree

Been a FCU member for 30 years and all of my family also. I don't even pay for my first box of checks each year and I rarely use checks. No fees for using them. OP I would suggest looking into a CU. Now that I'm retired there are "shared" CU branches and it makes them so much easier to get to, though I seldom have to go. I've been retired 10 months now and have only had to go 3 times, and that was to get $$ for my Disney trips.

Keep in mind, this is not the case with all credit unions. My husband had an account with a federal credit union since 1973. In 2009 they announced that they were charging for the account. So much for loyalty.

With my national bank I get free checks, free safety deposit box, bill pay, etc. I don't pay a dime for anything with them.