'Your bank charged you how much?' 15 fees you can dodge or negotiate

Jason Sargent Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Why you can trust us

We may earn money from links on this page, but commission does not influence what we write or the products we recommend. AOL upholds a rigorous editorial process to ensure what we publish is fair, accurate and trustworthy.

Cassidy HortonDecember 30, 2025 at 6:28 AM

'Your bank charged you how much?' 15 fees you can dodge or negotiate (Viktoriya Skorikova via Getty Images)

Bank fees drain billions from American accounts every year, yet most people pay them without realizing there's a better way. The difference between fee-paying customers and those who bank for free often comes down to one thing: knowing where to look.

Banks collected approximately $5 billion in overdraft fees alone in 2024, according to the Consumer Federation of America, and a December 2025 Reuters analysis found that 14 of the largest U.S. banks posted increases in overdraft and bounced-check fee income during the first nine months of 2025.

That money comes from customers who either don't know about fee-free alternatives or feel stuck with their current bank. Online banks and credit unions offer the same basic services without the costs.

Here's how to identify the fees draining your account and switch to options that let you keep more of your own money.

1. Monthly service fees

💵 Typical cost: $5 to $35 per month

Many traditional banks charge monthly fees just for keeping your account open — typically $5 to $35 a month for checking, savings or money market accounts. These fees help cover operational costs like rent and staff at brick-and-mortar branches.

📌 How to avoid monthly fees

Get your monthly fees and bank charges waived by:

Maintaining a minimum balance

Setting up direct deposits

Using your debit card regularly

Linking checking or savings at the same bank

Asking for senior or student waivers or discounts

Or skip the hassle entirely: SoFi's combination checking and savings account pays out up to 3.60% APY with direct deposits with no monthly maintenance fees or minimum balances required.

🔍 Read more: High-yield savings vs. traditional accounts: Why it’s still worth the switch

2. Overdraft fees

💵 Typical cost: $26 to $35 per occurrence

Overdraft fees kick in when you spend more than what's in your checking account, and the bank covers the shortfall.

These fees have been a huge money maker for banks, generating nearly $12 billion in 2019, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. That's dropped to about $5.8 billion as of 2023, but it's still a massive revenue stream.

The kicker? You're charged for each transaction that overdraws your account, not just once per day. So if you're not careful, a few small purchases can rack up $100+ in fees before you even realize it.

📌 How to avoid overdraft fees

Link your checking account to savings for automatic overdraft protection

Set up low-balance alerts by text or email before you hit $0

Switch to a fee-free bank with more forgiving overdraft policies

Better yet: Discover's CashBack Debit Account protects customers with no overdraft fees — along with no monthly fee, no minimum opening deposit and build-in spending controls that help prevent overdrafts. Plus, you'll earn 1% cash back on up to $3,000 in debit purchases each month.

🔍 Read more: 7 common banking mistakes costing you money — and simple ways to avoid them

3. Nonsufficient funds (NSF) fees

💵 Typical cost: $30 to $35 per occurrence

Nonsufficient funds (NSF) fees are charged when you try to make a payment without enough money in your account and the bank declines it. You don't get the service or product, but you still get charged up to $35 or more per declined transaction.

These fees are most commonly triggered by checks or automatic bill payments. And while many major banks have eliminated NSF fees in recent years, some institutions still charge them

📌 How to avoid NSF fees

Monitor your account balance regularly

Set up low-balance alerts for notification if your account runs too low

Keep a buffer in your checking account as a cushion

Link your checking account to savings to cover shortfalls

Time your bill payments for right after payday

Zero-fee alternatives: FDIC-insured digital banks like Capital One 360, SoFi, Chime and Alliant build their brands around truly fee-free banking — no NSF fees, no overdraft fees and no monthly maintenance.

🔍 Read more: How much should you keep in your savings account?

4. Out-of-network ATM fees

💵 Typical cost: $2.50 to $5 per transaction

You'll pay a fee of up to $5 when withdrawing money from an ATM that doesn't belong to your bank's network or its partners.

But here’s the catch: The ATM owner can also charge you a fee, resulting in a double payment.

Say you have a Bank of America account and use a Chase ATM. Both banks can charge you: Bank of America for using an outside ATM, and Chase for using their machine as a non-customer.

📌 How to avoid non-network ATM fees

Find in-network ATMs using your bank's mobile app or website

Get cash back when making purchases at grocery stores or pharmacies

Choose a bank with a large ATM network or one that refunds out-of-network fees

A digital workaround: CIT Bank eChecking reimburses up to $30 in out-of-network ATM fees each month with no monthly account maintenance fees.

🔍 Read more: I lost my wallet on day one of my trip abroad: Here's how I survived

5. Returned deposit fees

💵 Typical cost: $20 to $50 per occurrence

You deposit a check. It bounces because the person who wrote it didn't have enough funds. Somehow, you pay a fee of up to $50 for their bad check. It's frustrating, but many banks still charge returned deposit fees (also called returned item fees) when that happens.

📌 How to avoid returned deposit fees

Ask for electronic payments instead of checks — they clear instantly and can't bounce

Only accept checks from people or businesses you know and trust

For large amounts, ask for guaranteed payments like cashier's checks or money orders

Wait for checks to fully clear before spending deposited money

Choose banks with no returned deposit fees, like Ally Bank and Capital One

Skip the fees: SoFi Checking and Savings combo account lets you avoid this potential cost since it doesn't charge returned item fees when someone else's check bounces.

🔍 Read more: Top 15 financial scams targeting older Americans — and tips to keep your money safe

6. Foreign transaction fees

💵 Typical cost: 3% of each transaction

Planning to travel internationally? Watch out for foreign transaction fees — typically 3% of every purchase you make outside the U.S. with https://www.aol.com/finance/places-avoid-using-debit-card-214001175.htmlyour debit or credit card. On a $3,000 trip, that's $90 in fees just for using your card.

📌 How to avoid foreign transaction fees

Use a debit card or credit card without foreign transaction fees

Choose fee-free ATMs for cash, which offer stronger rates than at the airport

Pay in local currency — not U.S. dollars — when given the choice

Travel-friendly banking: Capital One charges zero foreign transaction fees and zero currency conversion fees on all its credit cards or debit cards, including those linked to its high-yield 360 Performance Savings account.

🔍 Read more: From travel mishaps to retail regrets: Hidden card benefits most people ignore

7. Wire transfer fees

💵 Typical cost: $15 to $35 for domestic transfers and $25 to $50 for international transfers

Wire transfers are good for sending money quickly from one bank account to another. Unlike standard ACH transfers — which are often free but can take several days — wire transfers are faster. But they come with a cost.

Banks will get you coming and going, charging fees both when you send or receive wired money, and international transfers cost more than domestic transfers.

📌 How to avoid wire transfer fees

Choose free electronic transfer services like ACH for domestic transfers

Try peer-to-peer apps like PayPal, Venmo or Zelle for personal transfers

Ask your bank if it offers free wire transfers for some accounts

Shop around for the best rates at banks and credit unions

Use specialized services like MoneyGram or OFX for international transfers

🔍 Read more: Still carrying these 10 items in your wallet? Here's why that's risky

8. Excess transaction fees

💵 Typical cost: $10 to $15 per transaction over the limit

Some banks cap savings account withdrawals at six per month — go over this limit, and you pay a fee for each transaction. This stems from an old federal rule called Regulation D, designed to discourage you from treating your savings account like a checking account.

While many banks have dropped these limits, some still enforce them. Check your bank's fee schedule to see if your savings or money market account falls under excess transaction fees.

📌 How to avoid excessive transaction fees

Use checking for frequent withdrawals

Track your withdrawals to stay within the limit

Choose a bank that doesn't impose transaction limits on savings accounts

🔍 Read more: Can you lose money in a high-yield savings account? Top 6 risks to watch out for

9. Checkbook fees

💵 Typical cost: $15 to $35 per order

Most banks charge for check printing when you need a new checkbook. Cost varies by style, quantity and whether you order through your bank or a third-party printer. Basic checks typically cost less, while designer checks with custom features cost more.

📌 How to avoid check printing fees

Order from third-party printers, which are significantly cheaper than banks

Stick with basic designs over customization

Buy in bulk to reduce the per-check price

Go digital with online bill pay or peer-to-peer payment services

Find banks that offer free checks

Free checks option: Consumers Credit Union provides free starter checks with its Free Rewards Checking, plus unlimited check writing and tiered rewards of up to 5% APY if you meet transaction requirements.

🔍 Read more: Shrinkflation was just the start: The 2 sneakier tricks quietly emptying your wallet

10. Paper statement fees

💵 Typical cost: $1 to $5 per month

Nowadays, it’s common for banks to default to electronic bank statements and charge extra for paper copies — typically to cover printing and postage costs. Some major banks still send paper statements for free, but many charge a few bucks a month.

📌 How to avoid paper statements

Switch to e-statements, which are free and instant

Check your statements online or through your bank's mobile app

Print statements at home if you need a paper copy

Many top U.S. banks — like KeyBank and PNC Bank — still send paper statements for select accounts without a charge.

🔍 Read more: 12 everyday money drains — and free alternatives that actually work

11. Lost debit card replacement fees

💵 Typical cost: $5 to $15 for rush delivery

Many banks replace lost, stolen or damaged debit cards for free — but may charge for rush delivery or multiple replacements in a year.

📌 How to avoid lost debit card fees

Keep your card in a secure place to prevent loss

Check if your bank's policy to learn when it charges

Choose standard delivery if you can wait a few days

🔍 Read more: 5 places you shouldn’t use your debit card (and 3 situations when you should)

12. Account closing fees

💵 Typical cost: $25 to $50

Some banks charge you to close your account within a few months of opening it. This fee is meant to discourage churning — or opening accounts for signup bonuses.

📌 How to avoid early closure fees

Choose a bank you’ll stick with for the long term

Read the fine print on early closure periods

Request a fee waiver if closing early isn't avoidable

🔍 Read more: 20+ clever money tricks frugal people swear by (that actually work!)

13. Inactivity fees

💵 Typical cost: $5 per month

If you don't use your bank account for six to 12 months, your bank might start charging dormancy fees.

📌 How to avoid inactivity fees

Make a small deposit or withdrawal at least once every few months

Set up automatic bill payments or transfers through the account

Close accounts you don't use

🔍 Read more: ‘You call that an emergency fund?’ 5 money basics most adults are failing right now

14. Stop payment fees

💵 Typical cost: $30 to $35 per request

Asking your bank to cancel a check or stop an automatic payment triggers a stop payment fee that's up to $35 for each request. This pays for monitoring your account and preventing that transaction from going through.

📌 How to avoid stop payment fees

Double-check details before writing checks or setting up automatic payments

Talk with the payee directly to resolve issues before requesting a stop payment

Use online bill pay, which you can sometimes cancel without a fee

🔍 Read more: 7 key signs you're going to be a millionaire one day

15. CD early withdrawal penalties

💵 Typical cost: From 3 to 12 months of interest, depending on the term

Certificates of deposit (CDs) offer guaranteed returns and higher interest rates than your typical savings in exchange for leaving your money untouched for a set term.

Break that agreement early, and you'll likely face a penalty. For example, you might forfeit three months of interest on a one-year CD, or 12 months of interest on a five-year CD.

📌 How to avoid early withdrawal penalties

Choose CD terms that align with when you might need the money

Look into no-penalty CDs, which allow withdrawals without high fees and penalties

“Ladder” your CDs by buying certificates with staggered maturity dates

Keep an emergency fund in a high-yield savings account for unexpected expenses

No-penalty option: CIT Bank offers an 11-month no-penalty CD with no opening, maintenance or early withdrawal fees — just wait seven days after your initial deposit before withdrawing.

🔍 Read more: No-penalty CD vs. savings account

☎️ We ask the experts: Is it possible to negotiate fees with your bank?

Yes — especially if you're a long-time customer or have multiple accounts. “Sometimes a simple phone call asking them to waive the fee in order to keep your business will even get the job done,” says Rebell. If you're considering switching banks, mention this — it might motivate them to reduce fees.Be polite but clear, and mention how long you've been a customer, asking directly for help in eliminating the fee.If your bank pushes back, ask if there is an action you can take — such as upgrading your account or any related settings — to avoid the fee in the future. No matter the outcome, be sure to get any agreement in writing for your records.

Sample phone or in-app script

I noticed a [type of fee] on my account charged on [date]. I have kept my account in good standing since I became a customer in [year]. This was an unusual situation, and I'd like to keep my money with your bank for the long term. Could you refund or waive this fee for me as a one-time courtesy?Sample email script

Subject line: Request to waive recent [fee type] on my accountI'm writing to request a refund or waiver for a recent [type of fee] of [fee amount] charged on my account on [date]. I've been a loyal customer of [bank name] since [year] and have kept my account in good standing since. This was an isolated incident, and I'd appreciate it if you could consider waiving the fee as a one-time courtesy.I value my relationship with [bank name] and would like to continue being a customer. Please reach out at [email address] or [phone number] if you need any additional information from me. Thank you for your consideration.[full name]

[account type and last 4 digits of account number]

Online banks vs. traditional banks: Should you make the switch?

Switching banks might feel risky, especially if you've been with the same one for years. The average adult sticks with their bank for around 17 years, according to Bankrate — mostly out of convenience and inertia.

"Older adults are often hesitant to switch banks because they like the consistency and comfort of knowing their bank,” says Rebell. “They have a history with the institution and in many cases they have a relationship with specific employees at the bank. It is part of their routine. Change can be intimidating and often scary."

But online banks and credit unions don’t have the same overhead costs of a traditional bank that supports a network of branches. It means they’re able to pass along the savings in the form of fewer fees — or even no fees at all — while paying out higher interest rates on savings and other deposit accounts.

Many online banks also offer mobile check deposits — a way to deposit checks from a smartphone app — as well as daily US-based customer support and customer support by live chat, phone or email to keep things convenient.

“While it may make sense financially to move banks, in order to overcome the reluctance,” says Rebell, “you have to focus on the real reasons you’re hesitant to move — most likely fear of change and concerns about what could go wrong in the transition."

🎯 Take action

Take a few minutes today to review your recent bank statements. Look for any of the common bank fees we cover, and if you find them, ask your bank whether they can be waived or reduced. If your bank isn't willing to work with you, it might be time to explore other options. Start with our editorial roundup of the best high-yield savings accounts on the market today that offer high rates with minimal fees.

🔍 Read more: Breaking up with your bank? 5 smart steps to avoid costly surprises

DEN MAG

Hot

HOT OFFERS

Popular Posts

HOT OFFERS

'Your bank charged you how much?' 15 fees you can dodge or negotiate

Total Pageviews

Sponsored

Popular This Week