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 |
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