Chart: Free checking accounts in top U.S. markets
Bankrate.com

The 96 accounts that qualified as free in Bankrate.com's Fall 2001 Checking Account Pricing Study met the criteria of having no monthly service charge or per-item fees regardless of balance.

A per-item fee would be, for example, a charge for writing a check. Most institutions that impose such charges usually allow a customer to write, perhaps, 10 checks each month before the fee kicks in.

Click on a city below to find the free checking accounts offered in that market or read the accompanying story before proceeding.

Atlanta | Baltimore | Boston | Charlotte | Chicago | Cincinnati | Cleveland | Columbus | Dallas | Denver | Detroit | Houston | Indianapolis | Kansas City | Los Angeles | Miami | Milwaukee | Minneapolis | Orlando | Philadelphia | Phoenix | Pittsburgh | Portland, Ore. | Sacramento | San Antonio | San Diego | San Francisco | Seattle | St. Louis | Tampa | Washington, D.C.

Atlanta	Account name	Yield	Min to open	NSF	Overdraft protection offered?
Fidelity National Bank (770) 448-0554	No Fee Checking w/Direct Deposit	None	$100	$28	Yes
Special Notes	Direct deposit required.
Tucker Fed (770) 908-6400	Just Free Checking	None	$100	$28	Yes
Baltimore	Account name	Yield	Min to open	NSF	Overdraft protection offered?
Allfirst Bank (800) 842-2265	Direct Deposit Checking	None	$1	$31	Yes
Eastern Savings Bank (410) 785- 2200	Zero-Balance Checking	None	$50	$25	Yes
Leeds Federal Savings Bank (410) 242-1234	Free Checking	2%	$50	$20	Yes
Provident Bank of MD (410) 281-7000	Totally Free Checking	None	$25	$29	Yes
Boston	Account name	Yield	Min to open	NSF	Overdraft protection offered?
Century Bank (800) 442-1859	Checking	None	$1	$25	Yes
Eastern Bank (800) 892-0673	Free Checking	None	$10	$23	Yes
Sovereign Bank (877) SOV-Bank	Free Checking	None	$10	$25	Yes
Charlotte	Account name	Yield	Min to open	NSF	Overdraft protection offered?
Central Carolina Bank (704) 347-6089	Self Service Checking	None	$100	$29	Yes
Special Notes	Direct deposit required. Teller fee: $3.
Gaston Fed Bank (704) 868-5200	Spirit Checking	None	$50	$24	Yes
Chicago	Account name	Yield	Min to open	NSF	Overdraft protection offered?
Bank Financial (708) 460-9220	Totally Free Checking	None	$100	$25	Yes
Bank One (888) 963-4000	Renaissance Checking	0.75%	$100	$25	Yes
Special Notes	Teller fee: 4 free, $1.50 thereafter.
Fifth Third Bank (800) 972-3030	Totally Free Checking	None	$50	$29	Yes
Mid America Bank (630) 420-8400	Totally Free Checking	None	$50	$25	Yes
Special Notes	NSF: $27 if paid.
Mid America Bank (630) 420-8400	Automatic Interest Checking	1.10%	$50	$25	Yes
Special Notes	NSF: $27 if paid.
Cincinnati	Account name	Yield	Min to open	NSF	Overdraft protection offered?
Fifth Third Bank, N. Ky. (859) 283-8500	Totally Free Checking	None	$50	$27	Yes
Special Notes	Check safekeeping required.
Fifth Third Bank (800) 972-3030	Totally Free Checking	None	$50	$27	Yes
Special Notes	Check safekeeping required.
Guardian Savings Bank (513) 923-4100	No Hassle Checking	None	$25	$27.50	Yes
PNC Bank (888) 762-2265	Basic Checking	None	$100	$30	Yes
Special Notes	Check safekeeping only.
The Huntington National Bank (800) 480-2265	Free Checking	None	$50	$28	Yes
The Provident Bank (800) 335-2220	Direct Access Checking	None	$50	$27.50	Yes
Union Savings Bank (513) 247-0300	Free Checking	None	$100	$27.50	Yes
Cleveland	Account name	Yield	Min to open	NSF	Overdraft protection offered?
Dollar  Bank (800) 242-2265	No Minimum Checking	None	$50	$27	No
Fifth Third Bank (800) 972-3030	Totally Free Checking	None	$50	$27	Yes
Special Notes	Check safekeeping required.
Ohio Savings Bank (800) 987-6446	Totally Free Checking	None	$50	$27	Yes
Special Notes	Check imaging only.
The Huntington National Bank (800) 480-2265	Free Checking	None	$50	$28	Yes
Columbus	Account name	Yield	Min to open	NSF	Overdraft protection offered?
Ohio Savings Bank (800) 696-2222	Totally Free Checking	None	$50	$27	Yes
Special Notes	Check imaging only.
The Huntington National Bank (800) 480-2265	Free Checking	None	$50	$28	Yes
United Midwest Bank (614) 538-9400	Regular Basic Checking	None	$50	$20	No
Fairfield FS&LA (740) 653-3863	Free Checking	None	$100	$20	No
Fifth Third Bank (800) 972-3030	Totally Free Checking	None	$50	$27	Yes
Special Notes	Check safekeeping required.
Union Savings Bank (614) 781-8896	Free Checking	None	$100	$27.50	Yes
Dallas	Account name	Yield	Min to open	NSF	Overdraft protection offered?
Mercantile Bank & Trust, FSB (972) 386-9958	Free & Easy Checking	None	$100	$25	Yes
Special Notes	Check safekeeping required.
Washington Mutual Bank (800) 788-7000	Free Checking	None	$1	$25	Yes
Special Notes	Must request check return when account is opened.
Denver	Account name	Yield	Min to open	NSF	Overdraft protection offered?
Community First National Bank (303) 758-7474	Free Checking	None	$100	$25	No
Guaranty B&TC (303) 296-9600	Personal Free Checking	None	$1	$20	Yes
Special Notes	Check Imaging free.
Liberty Savings Bank (303) 355-7200	Free Checking	None	$100	$26	Yes
Vectra Bank (800) 232-8948	Free Checking	None	$100	$20	Yes
Special Notes	Monthly service fee waived for the 1st year.
Detroit	Account name	Yield	Min to open	NSF	Overdraft protection offered?
The Huntington National Bank (877) 480-2345	Free Checking	None	$50	$28	Yes
Houston	Account name	Yield	Min to open	NSF	Overdraft protection offered?
Southwest Bank of Texas (713) 235-8800	Totally FREE Checking	None	$50	$25	Yes
Special Notes	Check imaging only.
Southwest Bank of Texas (713) 235-8800	VIP Free Int. Checking	0.50%	$50	$25	Yes
Special Notes	Check imaging only. Must have direct deposit with this account.
Washington Mutual Bank (800) 788-7000	Free Checking	None	$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	None	$50	$27	Yes
Special Notes	Check safekeeping available.
First Indiana Bank (800) 890-9999	Free Checking	None	$25	$26	Yes
Harrington Bank (317) 845-9619	Harrington Free Checking	None	$100	$30	No
Union Planters Bank (317) 221-6000	UP Really Free Checking	None	$100	$29	Yes
Kansas City	Account name	Yield	Min to open	NSF	Overdraft protection offered?
Capitol Fed Savings (800) 222-7312	Freedom Blue	None	$100	$20	Yes
Capitol Fed Savings (800) 222-7312	Free Checking	None	$100	$20	Yes
Commerce Bank (800) 453-2265	Connections Checking	None	$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	Totally Free Checking	None	$10	$15	Yes
First Federal Bank (816) 245-4300	First Interest VIP Checking	1.26%	$50	$15	Yes
Special Notes	Direct deposit required.
First National Bank of Kansas (913) 338-9000	Absolutely Free Checking	1.25%	$1,000	$20	Yes
Special Notes	$100 to open. $1,000 to earn interest.
North American SB (816) 765-2200	Free Checking	None	$50	$15	Yes
Special Notes	ATM account. Check safekeeping required.
Los Angeles	Account name	Yield	Min to open	NSF	Overdraft protection offered?
First Federal Bank of California (310) 319-6000	Simply Free Checking	None	$100	$18	Yes
Union Bank (800) 796-5656	Direct Banking	None	$100	$15	Yes
Special Notes	Direct deposit required. Check-return fee: $2. Teller fee: $1.50. CSR fee: $1.50. Touch Tone Fee: 3 free, $1.50 thereafter.
Washington Mutual Bank (800) 788-7000	Free Checking	None	$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	None	$50	$30	Yes
Special Notes	Check imaging required.
BankUnited (305) 569-2000	Free Checking	None	$100	$29	Yes
Washington Mutual Bank (800) 788-7000	Free Checking	None	$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	VIP Checking w/ Interest	0.75%	$50	$27	Yes
Special Notes	Direct deposit required.
Guaranty Bank (414) 362-4000	Totally Free Checking	None	$50	$27	Yes
North Shore Bank 262-785-1600	Free Checking	None	$100	$26	No
St. Francis Bank (414) 744-8600	Totally Free Checking	None	$25	$27	Yes
Minneapolis	Account name	Yield	Min to open	NSF	Overdraft protection offered?
TCF Bank (800) 328-0728	VIP Checking	0.40%	$100	$28	Yes
Special Notes	Account conversion: Requires $15,000 in total deposits with bank or converts to Checking w/Interest. Checks returned free upon request.
TCF Bank (800) 328-0728	Totally Free Checking	None	$100	$28	Yes
Special Notes	Checks returned free upon request.
Orlando	Account name	Yield	Min to open	NSF	Overdraft protection offered?
Federal Trust Bank 407-645-1201	Advantage Checking	None	$100	$25	Yes
The Huntington National Bank 407-629-1888	Huntington Free Checking	None	$50	$28	Yes
Washington Mutual Bank (800) 782-8875	Free Checking	None	$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	Bank less Checking	None	$50	$30	Yes
Special Notes	Teller fee: $2.
Commonwealth Bank (800) 327-9885	Free Checking	None	$50	$30	Yes
Farmers & Mechanics (609) 387-1150	Free Checking	None	$25	$22	Yes
Sovereign Bank (877) SOV-Bank	Free Checking	None	$10	$30	No
Phoenix	Account name	Yield	Min to open	NSF	Overdraft protection offered?
Fifth Third Bank (800) 972-3030	Totally Free Checking	None	$50	$27	Yes
Special Notes	Check safekeeping required.
Fifth Third Bank (800) 972-3030	Totally Free Checking	None	$50	$27	Yes
Special Notes	Check safekeeping required.
Pittsburgh	Account name	Yield	Min to open	NSF	Overdraft protection offered?
Dollar  Bank (800) 242-2265	No Minimum Checking	None	$50	$25	No
Parkvale Savings Bank (412) 373-7200	Free Checking	None	$50	$32	Yes
Portland, Ore.	Account name	Yield	Min to open	NSF	Overdraft protection offered?
Washington Mutual Bank (800) 756-8000	Free Checking	None	$1	$22	Yes
Special Notes	Must request check return when account is opened.
Sacramento	Account name	Yield	Min to open	NSF	Overdraft protection offered?
Union Bank (800) 796-5656	Direct Banking	None	$100	$15	Yes
Special Notes	Direct deposit required. Check-return fee: $2 Teller fee: $1.50. CSR fee: $1.50. Touch Tone Fee: 3 free, $1.50 thereafter.
Washington Mutual Bank (800) 788-7000	Free Checking	None	$1	$20	Yes
Special Notes	Must request check return when account is opened.
San Antonio	Account name	Yield	Min to open	NSF	Overdraft protection offered?
Washington Mutual Bank (800) 788-7000	Free Checking	None	$1	$25	Yes
Special Notes	Must request check return when account is opened.
USAA FSB (210) 456-8000	Four Star Checking	1%	$1,000	$25	Yes
Special Notes	Check-return fee: $2. $50 to open, $1,000 to earn interest.
San Diego	Account name	Yield	Min to open	NSF	Overdraft protection offered?
Union Bank (800) 796-5656	Direct Banking	None	$100	$15	Yes
Special Notes	Direct deposit required Check-return fee: $2 Teller fee: $1.50 CSR fee: $1.50 Touch Tone Fee: 3 free, $1.50 thereafter.
Washington Mutual Bank (800) 788-7000	Free Checking	None	$1	$20	Yes
Special Notes	Must request check return when account is opened.
Western Financial Bank (619) 225-1011	Free Checking	None	$100	$20	Yes
Special Notes	Check-return fee: $5.
San Francisco	Account name	Yield	Min to open	NSF	Overdraft protection offered?
Union Bank (800) 796-5656	Direct Banking	None	$100	$15	Yes
Special Notes	Direct deposit required Check-return fee: $2 Teller fee: $1.50 CSR fee: $1.50 Touch Tone Fee: 3 free, $1.50 thereafter.
Washington Mutual Bank (800) 788-7000	Free Checking	None	$1	$20	Yes
Special Notes	Must request check return when account is opened.
Seattle	Account name	Yield	Min to open	NSF	Overdraft protection offered?
Washington Mutual Bank (800) 756-8000	Free Checking	None	$1	$22	Yes
Special Notes	Must request check return when account is opened.
St. Louis	Account name	Yield	Min to open	NSF	Overdraft protection offered?
Commerce Bank (800) 292-1601	Connections Checking	None	$100	$15	No
Special Notes	Must apply for Visa credit card, no obligation to keep card. Check safekeeping required. NSF: $20 if paid.
First Bank 618-632-3664	Free Checking	None	$100	$20	No
First National Bank of St. Louis (314) 835-3700	Free Checking	None	$100	$20	Yes
Special Notes	Check imaging only.
Heartland  Bank (800) 489-2660	Free Checking	None	$25	$20	Yes
Pulaski Bank (314) 878-2210	Totally Free Checking	None	$50	$15	Yes
Special Notes	NSF: $20 if paid.
Union Planters Bank (800) 333-1346	UP Really Free Checking	None	$100	$29	Yes
Special Notes	Check imaging only. Check-return fee: $3.
Tampa	Account name	Yield	Min to open	NSF	Overdraft protection offered?
AmSouth Bank (800) 267-6884	Absolutely Free Checking	None	$50	$29	Yes
Special Notes	Direct deposit required.
Washington, D.C.	Account name	Yield	Min to open	NSF	Overdraft protection offered?
Equitable Bank (301) 949-6500	Free Checking	None	$1	$29	Yes