topic Re: Any Free Checking Accounts? in SmorgasBoard

Any Free Checking Accounts?

riffdex — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 19:31:10 GMT

Any free checking accounts being offered by major banks left? I need a checking account that has no monthly fee, no minimum balance, and no requirement for direct deposit. I basically want a savings account but with the ability to spend with a debit if I need to. A way to keep some money separate from my main account. I know it is hard to get a checking account without a fee or direct deposit these days, but thought I would try. Idiot at Bank of America customer service told me about the e-checking account that doesn't have a fee, minimum balance req, or direct deposit req'd, only thing is that you cannot use physical Bank of America branches, you are limited to online banking and ATMS. Which is fine with me. Then he transferred me over to a rep to set up the account, who told me the e-checking account is no longer available. SIGH.

Re: Any Free Checking Accounts?

barbaralee — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 20:22:17 GMT

Capital One comes to mind. They actually have very good reviews for their banking.

Re: Any Free Checking Accounts?

SCF — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 21:18:43 GMT

I use Ally, as long as you don't need to deposit cash it would be worth looking in to. I've also noticed that my Wells Fargo savings account considers the transfers from my Ally account as "direct deposit" and credits them toward waiving my monthly fee. I'm not sure if that's universal, but also might be worth investigating if you'll be making consistent deposits in from an outside bank each month.

Re: Any Free Checking Accounts?

DaveSignal — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 23:04:17 GMT

I don't know if you qualify, but I use free checking accounts with USAA, NFCU, and PSECU.

I don't know if there are any big banks that offer this, but I wouldn't want to keep my money with a big bank anyway.

Re: Any Free Checking Accounts?

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 17:40:30 GMT

take a look at simple bank. have a couple friends who have recommended it but i dont use it myself (i actually use charles schwab's high yield investing. i love it, get fees reimbursed, etc. but i dont recall if there's a minimum and it's attached to a brokerage account. initial setup was a bit of a pain).

https://www.simple.com/

Re: Any Free Checking Accounts?

buildafico — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 17:56:34 GMT

cap1 360 gives you free money if you sign up, I can't remember exactly the terms but pretty sure its free. once again as long as there's no cash deposit you're good

Re: Any Free Checking Accounts?

CelticLady — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 00:58:28 GMT

As others have mentioned, CapitalOne 360 offers free checking with no minimums and give you .2% APY on balances below $50k (more if your balance is higher). They have a promo right now for $50 too and will give you one book of checks for free if you want them. I have both a checking and savings with them. The only problem I've had with them is that I elected NOT to apply for their Overdraft LOC and they still did a HP on EQ when I opened the account in Dec. I just found out about this a few days ago because I was having problems getting a copy of my report and it finally came in the mail. So be aware that you will likely get an EQ HP setting it up.

Re: Any Free Checking Accounts?

jesseh — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 20:40:04 GMT

I still have an eBanking acc with BoA, no monthly fees.

But I wouldn't open the account now, there are many banks that charge less fees than bofa, they are terrible with fees. Incoming wire transfer? 16 dollars. With my credit union? free.

And as you probably know, you can do your cu banking across country through the coop network.

Instead of a credit union, you can either choose a local bank or an internet bank (Cap1-360/Ally/simple)

Re: Any Free Checking Accounts?

Open123 — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 20:47:36 GMT

My favorites are Capital One and Fidelity's CMA.

The Cap One I have is the old one where you receive miles for writing checks, using bill pay and using the Debit Card. I earn an extra 5K miles per year, which somewhat makes up for the Venture's annual fee. And, Fidelity's CMA is excellent free checking with every feature available from any other bank, even mobile deposits.

The best part is both are 100% free with no conditions, such as the use the debit "x" number of times, direct deposit, bill pay or minimum deposit requirement rubbish.

*Edited* Don't think the Cap One miles checking is available anymore, just the Cap One 360.

Re: Any Free Checking Accounts?

ginger1477 — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 00:52:06 GMT

Huntington bank still offers free checking but they only have branches in the upper mid west, mostly Ohio and Michigan I think. If you live close to one might be worth checking out.

Re: Any Free Checking Accounts?

linux007969 — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 22:59:29 GMT

Merrill Edge Cash Management Account

Discover Cashback Checking (if you are a card member and offered this account)

Otherwise, maybe local credit unions in your area?

Re: Any Free Checking Accounts?

jm1991 — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 23:43:32 GMT

Found these suggestions very helpful. I found out BoA will start charging me if i dont have a min of 1500 starting this summer which is crap because mine is almost always empty. I deposit my check, pay off my cards and deposit my left over money into savings. I usually just have about 100 in case i need to withdraw cash, but even then i could do it from my savings. Ill start looking into other options.

Re: Any Free Checking Accounts?

youdontkillmoney — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 00:17:10 GMT

@riffdex wrote:
Any free checking accounts being offered by major banks left? I need a checking account that has no monthly fee, no minimum balance, and no requirement for direct deposit. I basically want a savings account but with the ability to spend with a debit if I need to. A way to keep some money separate from my main account. I know it is hard to get a checking account without a fee or direct deposit these days, but thought I would try. Idiot at Bank of America customer service told me about the e-checking account that doesn't have a fee, minimum balance req, or direct deposit req'd, only thing is that you cannot use physical Bank of America branches, you are limited to online banking and ATMS. Which is fine with me. Then he transferred me over to a rep to set up the account, who told me the e-checking account is no longer available. SIGH.

^^^

HSBC Online checking and savings accounts, Schwab checking accounts, credit unions

Re: Any Free Checking Accounts?

Blackbeauty212 — Tue, 06 May 2014 19:33:36 GMT

PNC's Basic Virtual Wallet has no monthly Fee or Minimum Balance if you do one of 2 things.

A.) Have at least 500$ a month in Electronic Deposits (DD, Wire, ACH)

B.) Never use a Human Teller ( You CAN still use the Customer Service Desk reps at the Branch).

It works for a lot of people because they use Online, Mobile and ATM banking mostly anyway. Virtual Wallet was created for people who perfer Digital Banking over Traditional methods anyway.

Re: Any Free Checking Accounts?

MidnightVoice — Wed, 07 May 2014 17:47:40 GMT

my USBank is free