Retirement planning | Savings accounts
Follow Us: Google+
 
Bankrate.com

Checking Basics
PrintSubscribe
pen writing a check and the corner of a $1 bill
checking
Fees, fees and more fees

14. Inactive account

This monthly or quarterly charge is assessed if you have no deposits or withdrawals over a specific period of time. Some banks charge if your account has been inactive for as few as 90 days. You may be able to avoid a fee if your balance is above a certain level. Some institutions don't start an inactivity fee until the account has been dormant for one year.

15. Money orders/cashier's check

A cashier's check will cost more than a money order.

16. Monthly service fee

Charged if a checking account balance falls below a certain amount.

17. Non-sufficient funds (NSF)

Bounce a check and you'll pay one of the highest per-item fees banks charge.

18. Notary fees

A notary public is someone who can certify or attest to documents. If you need something notarized, you'll pay a variety of fees depending on the document.

19. Overdraft

If you overdraw your account and the bank pays the check or debit, it will charge you a fee. The benefit is your check doesn't bounce and you don't get charged a fee by the business that accepted your check.

20. Return of checks with statement

You used to be able to get your canceled checks returned for free; now many banks charge a monthly fee for that service.

21. Safe deposit box

An annual rental fee based on the size of the box.

22. Stop payment

Imposed when you use a check to pay for something and then change your mind.

23. Teller fee

Some accounts require you to do most transactions online, at the ATM or by phone. These accounts usually limit the number of times you can visit a teller each month and charge a fee for additional visits.

 

advertisement

Bankrate.com's corrections policy
Posted: April 1, 2005
Show Bankrate's community sharing policy
            Connect with us
Compare Checking Rates



About our rates
advertisement
Most Read
  1. Nick Nolte's house for sale
  2. 8 eerie ghost towns
  3. 5 best markets for home values
  4. What does a kitchen remodel entail?
  5. Don't sell a smelly house
  6. Headlight requirements by state
  7. 9 gas-only, fuel-efficient cars
  8. 8 affordable, classic cars for retirees
  9. 5 car models that lose value
  10. Top 10 states for foreclosure
About this index
Savings Overnight Averages
Product Yield +/- Last week
MMA
0.49% 0.49%
$10K MMA
0.48% 0.50%
MMA jumbo
0.62% 0.62%
Interest checking
0.51% 0.51%
Compare rates:
ByDr. Don Taylor, Ph.D., CFA, CFP, CASL
Ask Dr. Don»
Don Taylorsavings
You've matured, but maybe not those savings bonds you received as a kid.
View more Bankrate Advisers »
advertisement
By Claes Bell
Banking »
Debit, credit or … email?
Google is rolling out the ability to send money as an email attachment through its Google Wallet service.
View more Bankrate Blogs »
Partner Center
advertisement

Advertising Disclosure: Bankrate.com is an independent, advertising-supported comparison service. Bankrate may be compensated in exchange for featured placement of certain sponsored products and services, or your clicking on links posted on this website.