The true cost of checking, exposed
A certified account cannot charge overdraft or NSF fees. Some institutions offer overdraft coverage as a separate service you would have to opt into.
Across the 498 certified accounts we list: 350 charge $0 a month, 122 charge $1–$5, and 26 charge more than $5.
Average monthly maintenance fee and average overdraft fee: Bankrate Checking Account and ATM Fee Study, 2025. The number of overdrafts a year is our own stated assumption — see our methodology. How we calculate this
These are Bank On requirements, so they are identical on every account we list. That is why we do not repeat them on each card.
Certified accounts with no monthly fee that are open to people in all 50 states, ordered by what they cost you per year. No ZIP needed.
nbkc bank
Costs you per year
$0.00
No monthly maintenance fee.
Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.
ApplyDiscover Bank
Costs you per year
$0.00
No monthly maintenance fee.
Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.
ApplyAlly Bank
Costs you per year
$0.00
No monthly maintenance fee.
Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.
ApplyAlliant Credit Union
Costs you per year
$0.00
No monthly maintenance fee.
Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.
ApplyAlliant Credit Union
Costs you per year
$0.00
No monthly maintenance fee.
Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.
ApplyQuorum Federal Credit Union
Costs you per year
$0.00
No monthly maintenance fee.
Out-of-network ATM fees are not included — we do not hold that figure per account.
ApplyWe never save it. Local banks and credit unions often have a branch you can walk into, and some are the only certified option in a county.
Bank On is a national movement led by the nonprofit Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund) that connects people with safe, affordable bank and credit union accounts. Certified accounts follow strict national standards: no surprise overdraft fees, low opening deposits, and full digital access — so you stay in control of your money.
Research shows the biggest barrier to banking is fear of unexpected fees. Bank On certified accounts are designed specifically to remove that worry.
The Bank On National Account Standards were set by the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund so that anyone — regardless of income or banking history — can open a safe, affordable account. We surface only the accounts that meet that bar.