Free checking accounts in top U.S. markets
By Bankrate.com
Of those accounts, 127 (10.3 percent) are free. That's
up from 110 accounts in the spring 2002 study and up from just 96
accounts a year before that.
Bankrate.com's definition of a free checking account
is no monthly service charges or per-item fees regardless of balance
or activity. An example of a per-item fee would be a charge for
writing a check. Most institutions that impose such charges allow
a customer to write a certain number of free checks each month before
the fee kicks in.
Atlanta
|
Account name
|
Yield
|
Min
to open
|
NSF
|
Overdraft protection offered?
|
Atlantic
States Bank
(800) 273-4732 |
Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$30
|
No
|
Fidelity National
Bank
(404) 248-5466 |
No Fee Checking w/Direct Deposit
|
|
$100
|
$28
|
Yes
|
|
Special notes
|
Direct deposit required. NSF $29 if paid.
|
Baltimore
|
Account name
|
Yield
|
Min
to open
|
NSF
|
Overdraft protection offered?
|
Allfirst Bank
(800) 842-2265 |
Direct Deposit Checking
|
|
$1
|
$31
|
Yes
|
|
Special notes
|
Requires direct deposit.
|
Eastern Savings
Bank
(410) 785-2200 |
Zero-Balance Checking
|
|
$50
|
$25
|
Yes
|
Leeds Federal Savings
Bank
(410) 242-1234 |
Free Checking
|
0.75%
|
$50
|
$20
|
Yes
|
Mercantile Safe
Deposit
(888) 212-0100 |
Direct Deposit Checking
|
|
$100
|
$30
|
Yes
|
|
Special notes
|
Must have direct deposit and check safekeeping.
|
Provident Bank
of Maryland
(410) 281-7000 |
Totally Free Checking
|
|
$25
|
$30
|
Yes
|
Boston
|
Account name
|
Yield
|
Min
to open
|
NSF
|
Overdraft protection offered?
|
|
Century Bank
(800) 442-1859
|
Free Checking
|
|
$1
|
$25
|
Yes
|
Eastern Bank
(781) 599-2100 |
Free Checking
|
|
$10
|
$23
|
Yes
|
|
Sovereign Bank
(877) SOV-BANK
|
Totally FREE Checking
|
|
10
|
$25
|
Yes
|
Charter One Bank
(877) CHARTER |
Totally Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$29.50
|
Yes
|
Charter One Bank
(877) CHARTER |
VIP Checking
|
0.50%
|
$50
|
$29.50
|
Yes
|
|
Special notes
|
Direct deposit required.
|
Charlotte
|
Account name
|
Yield
|
Min
to open
|
NSF
|
Overdraft protection offered?
|
Central Carolina
Bank
(704) 347-6089 |
Self Service Checking
|
|
$100
|
$29.
|
Yes
|
|
Special notes
|
Direct deposit required. Teller Fee: $3.
|
Citizens South
Bank
(704) 868-5200 |
Spirit Checking
|
|
$50
|
$24
|
Yes
|
Chicago
|
Account name
|
Yield
|
Min
to open
|
NSF
|
Overdraft protection offered?
|
BankFinancial
(708) 460-9220 |
Totally Free Checking
|
|
$100
|
$25
|
Yes
|
Fifth Third Bank
(800) 972-3030 |
Totally Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$29
|
Yes
|
Mid America Bank
(630) 420-8400 |
Totally Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$28
|
Yes
|
Mid America Bank
(630) 420-8400 |
Automatic Interest Checking
|
0.50%
|
$50
|
$28
|
Yes
|
Cincinnati
|
Account name
|
Yield
|
Min
to open
|
NSF
|
Overdraft protection offered?
|
Fifth Third Bank
(800) 972-3030 |
Totally Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$29
|
Yes
|
|
Special notes
|
Check safekeeping required.
|
Fifth Third Bank,
Northern Kentucky
(859) 283-8$500 |
Totally Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$29
|
Yes
|
|
Special notes
|
Check safekeeping required.
|
Guardian Savings
Bank
(513) 923-4100 |
No Hassle Checking
|
|
25
|
$27.50
|
Yes
|
The Huntington
National Bank
(800) 480-2265 |
Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$29.50
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Check safekeeping required.
|
The Provident Bank
(800) 335-2220 |
Direct Access Checking
|
|
$50
|
$27.50
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Teller Fee: $3.
|
Union Savings Bank
(513) 247-0300 |
Free Checking
|
|
100
|
27.50
|
Yes
|
Cleveland
|
Account name
|
Yield
|
Min
to open
|
NSF
|
Overdraft protection offered?
|
Charter One Bank
(888) 556-2777 |
Totally Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$29
|
Yes
|
Charter One Bank
(888) 556-2777 |
VIP Checking
|
0.50%
|
$50
|
$29
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Direct deposit required.
|
Dollar Bank
(800) 242-2265 |
No Minimum Checking
|
|
$50
|
$27
|
Yes
|
Fifth Third Bank
(800) 972-3030 |
Totally Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$29
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Check safekeeping required.
|
National City Bank
(800) 622-8100 |
Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$26
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Check safekeeping required.
|
Ohio Savings Bank
(800) 987-6446 |
Totally Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$27
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Check imaging only.
|
|
The Huntington National Bank
(800) 480-2265
|
Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$29.50
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Check safekeeping required.
|
U.S. Bank
(800) 627-7827 |
Free Checking
|
|
$100
|
$29
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Check safekeeping required.
|
Columbus
|
Account name
|
Yield
|
Min
to open
|
NSF
|
Overdraft protection offered?
|
Fairfield FS&LA
(740) 653-3863 |
Free Checking
|
|
$100
|
$20
|
No
|
Fifth Third
Bank
(800) 972-3030 |
Totally Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$29
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Check safekeeping required.
|
National City Bank
(800) 622-6736 |
Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$26
|
No
|
| Special notes |
Check safekeeping required.
|
Ohio Savings Bank
(800) 696-2222 |
Totally Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$27
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Check imaging only.
|
The Huntington
National Bank
(800) 480-2265 |
Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$29.50
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Check safekeeping required.
|
Union Savings Bank
(614) 781-8896 |
Free Checking
|
|
$100
|
$27.50
|
Yes
|
United Midwest
Bank
(614) 538-9400 |
Regular Basic Checking
|
|
$50
|
$20
|
No
|
Dallas
|
Account name
|
Yield
|
Min
to open
|
NSF
|
Overdraft protection offered?
|
Mercantile Bank
& Trust, FSB
(972) 386-9958 |
Free & Easy Checking
|
|
$100
|
$25
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Check safekeeping required.
|
Washington Mutual Bank
(800) 788-7000 |
Free Checking
|
|
$1
|
$25
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Must request check return when account is
opened.
|
DC
Metro
|
Account name
|
Yield
|
Min
to open
|
NSF
|
Overdraft protection offered?
|
E*Trade Bank
(800) ETBANK-1 |
Regular Checking
|
|
$100
|
$25
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Unlimited online bill pay can be added for
$6.95/month. Check imaging only. Direct Deposit Required.
|
Equitable Bank
(301) 949-6$500 |
Free Checking
|
|
$1
|
$29
|
Yes
|
Denver
|
Account name
|
Yield
|
Min
to open
|
NSF
|
Overdraft protection offered?
|
FirstBank of CO
(303) 238-9000 |
Check-Us-Out Checking
|
|
$1
|
$15
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
NSF: $24 if paid. Check safekeeping required.
|
Guaranty B&TC
(303) 296-9600 |
Personal Free Checking
|
|
$1
|
$20
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Check Imaging free.
|
|
|
|
|
Liberty Savings
Bank
(303) 295-7200 |
Free Checking
|
|
$100
|
$26
|
Yes
|
Vectra Bank, CO
(800) 232-8948 |
Free Checking
|
|
$100
|
$20
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
One year account only, then becomes Personal
Checking, Safekeeping required.
|
Detroit
|
Account name
|
Yield
|
Min
to open
|
NSF
|
Overdraft protection offered?
|
Charter One Bank
(800) 227-4978 |
Totally Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$28.50
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Check safekeeping required.
|
Dearborn FSB
(313) 565-3100 |
Community Checking
|
|
$200
|
$15
|
No
|
National City Bank
(800) 925-9259 |
Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$26
|
No
|
| Special notes |
Check safekeeping required.
|
Houston
|
Account name
|
Yield
|
Min
to open
|
NSF
|
Overdraft protection offered?
|
Southwest Bank
of Texas
(713) 235-8800 |
VIP Free Int. Checking
|
0.25%
|
$50
|
$27.50
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Check imaging only. Must have direct deposit
with this account.
|
Southwest Bank of Texas
(713) 235-8800 |
Totally FREE Checking
|
|
$50
|
$27.50
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Check imaging only.
|
Washington Mutual
Bank
(800) 788-7000 |
Free Checking
|
|
$1
|
$25
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Must request check return when account is
opened.
|
Indianapolis
|
Account name
|
Yield
|
Min
to open
|
NSF
|
Overdraft protection offered?
|
|
Fifth Third Bank
(800) 972-3030
|
Totally Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$29
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Check safekeeping required.
|
First Indiana Bank
(800) 890-9999 |
Free Checking
|
|
$25
|
$28
|
Yes
|
Lincoln FSB
(317) 839-6539 |
Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$25
|
No
|
National City Bank of IN
(800) 774-2424 |
Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$26
|
No
|
| Special notes |
Check safekeeping required.
|
The Huntington
National Bank
(800) 480-2265 |
Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$29.50
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Check safekeeping required.
|
Union Planters Bank
(317) 221-6000 |
UP Really Free Checking
|
|
$100
|
$29
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Check imaging only. Check Return Fee: $3
|
Kansas
City
|
Account name
|
Yield
|
Min
to open
|
NSF
|
Overdraft protection offered?
|
Capitol Fed Savings
(800) 222-7312 |
Freedom Blue
|
|
$100
|
$25
|
Yes
|
Commerce Bank
(800) 453-2265 |
Connections Checking
|
|
$100
|
$15
|
No
|
| Special notes |
Must apply for a Visa credit card, no obligation
to keep card. Check safekeeping required. NSF: $20 if paid.
|
First Federal Bank
(816) 245-4300 |
First Interest VIP Checking
|
0.50%
|
$50
|
$20
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Direct deposit required. NSF: $25 if paid.
|
First Federal Bank
(816) 245-4300 |
Totally Free Checking
|
|
$10
|
$20
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
NSF: $25 if paid.
|
|
First National Bank of Kansas
(816) 338-9000
|
Absolutely Free Checking
|
0.25%
|
$1,000
|
$25
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
$100 to open, $1,000 to earn interest.
|
U.S. Bank
(913) 287-0091 |
Free Checking
|
0.25%
|
$2,000
|
$15
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
NSF: $20 if paid. $100 to open, $2,000 to
earn interest.
|
Los
Angeles
|
Account name
|
Yield
|
Min
to open
|
NSF
|
Overdraft protection offered?
|
Downey S&LA
(800) 9DO-WNEY |
Freedom Checking
|
|
$50
|
$20
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Check imaging free, original checks $2. NSF:$22.
if paid.
|
First Federal Bank of California
(310) 319-6000 |
Simply Free Checking
|
|
$100
|
$18
|
Yes
|
Union Bank
(800) 796-5656 |
Direct Banking
|
|
$100
|
$15
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Direct deposit required. Check Return Fee:
$2. Teller Fee: $1.$50. Tiered NSF: Not paid $15 for 1-3,
$20 for 4-9, $27 for 10+,Paid $18 for 1-3, $22 for 4-9, $27
for 10+
|
Washington Mutual Bank
(800) 788-7000
|
Free Checking
|
|
$1
|
$20
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Must request check return when account is
opened.
|
Miami
|
Account name
|
Yield
|
Min
to open
|
NSF
|
Overdraft protection offered?
|
AmTrust Bank
(888) 268-7878 |
Totally Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$30
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Check imaging required.
|
BankAtlantic
(800) 741-1700 |
Totally Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$29
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Check imaging required.
|
BankUnited
(877) 779-2265 |
Signature Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$29
|
Yes
|
Washington Mutual Bank
(800) 788-7000 |
Free Checking
|
|
$1
|
$29
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Must request check return when account is
opened.
|
Milwaukee
|
Account name
|
Yield
|
Min
to open
|
NSF
|
Overdraft protection offered?
|
Guaranty Bank
(414) 362-4000 |
Totally Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$27
|
Yes
|
Guaranty Bank
(414) 362-4000 |
Preferred Direct Deposit
|
|
$50
|
$27
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Direct Deposit required.
|
Guaranty Bank
(414) 362-4000 |
Preferred Auto Payment Checking
|
|
$50
|
$27
|
Yes
|
North Shore Bank
(262) 785-1600 |
Free Checking
|
|
$100
|
$28
|
No
|
| Special notes |
Check safekeeping required.
|
St. Francis Bank
(414) 744-8600 |
Totally Free Checking
|
|
$25
|
$29
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Check safekeeping required.
|
US Bank
(414) 258-1440 |
Free Checking
|
|
$100
|
$27
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
NSF fee tiered: returned, 1-3 $27, 4-5 $29,
6+ $33. Paid: 1-3 $29, 4-5 $31, 6+ $33.
|
Minneapolis
|
Account name
|
Yield
|
Min
to open
|
NSF
|
Overdraft protection offered?
|
Premier Bank
(651) 777-7700 |
Premier Free Checking
|
|
$100
|
$20
|
Yes
|
TCF Bank
(800) 328-0728 |
Totally Free Checking
|
|
$100
|
$30
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Checks returned free upon request.
|
TCF Bank
(800) 328-0728 |
VIP Checking
|
0.10%
|
$100
|
$30
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Account Conversion: Requires $15,000 in total
deposits with bank or automatically converts to Checking w/Interest.
Checks returned free upon request.
|
The Midway NB of St. Paul
(651) 628-2661 |
Free Checking
|
|
$100
|
$25
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Became American Bank effective 9-16-2002.
|
New
Orleans
|
Account name
|
Yield
|
Min
to open
|
NSF
|
Overdraft protection offered?
|
Hibernia National
Bank
(504) 533-5429 |
VIP Free Checking
|
0.60%
|
$50
|
$29
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Direct Deposit required.
|
Hibernia National Bank
(504) 533-5429 |
Completely Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$29
|
Yes
|
New
York
|
Account name
|
Yield
|
Min
to open
|
NSF
|
Overdraft protection offered?
|
GreenPoint Bank
(800) 554-7336 |
Direct Checking w/ Interest
|
1%
|
$50
|
$25
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Customers have 14 days to repay overdraft
amount. Direct Deposit required.
|
GreenPoint Bank
(800) 554-7336 |
Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$25
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Customers have 14 days to repay overdraft
amount.
|
Washington Mutual
Bank
(800) 843-3463 |
Free Checking
|
|
$1
|
$30
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Must request check return when account is
opened.
|
Orlando
|
Account name
|
Yield
|
Min
to open
|
NSF
|
Overdraft protection offered?
|
AmSouth Bank
(800) 284-4100 |
Absolutely Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$30
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Direct deposit required.
|
Federal Trust Bank
(407) 645-1201 |
Advantage Checking
|
|
$100
|
$25
|
Yes
|
Washington Mutual Bank
(800) 782-8875 |
Free Checking
|
|
$1
|
$29
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Must request check return when account is
opened.
|
Philadelphia
|
Account name
|
Yield
|
Min
to open
|
NSF
|
Overdraft protection offered?
|
Commonwealth Bank
(800) 327-9885 |
Bankless Checking
|
|
$50
|
$30
|
Yes
|
| Special notes |
Teller Fee: $2.
|
Commonwealth Bank
(800) 327-9885 |
Free Checking
|
|
$50
|
$30
|
Yes
|
Farmers & Mechanics
(609) 387-1150 |
Free Personal Checking
|
|
$5
|
$22
|
Yes
|
|
Bankrate.com's
Fall 2002 Checking Study evaluated 1,232 checking accounts offered
by 350 financial institutions in the nation's 35 biggest metropolitan
areas.