North Carolina sits in the middle of the national picture with 38 certified checking accounts — #18 of the 51 states and territories we track, against a median of 32. 12 come from local or regional institutions and 26 from national banks — a 32% local share, close to the 36% median across the states we track.
25 of the 38 carry a $0 monthly maintenance fee; the 13 that do charge run from $4.95 to $12 a month. 29 can be opened with $0 on deposit, and the largest opening deposit asked anywhere on this list is $25. 37 run no overdraft program at all; the other 1 still cannot charge overdraft or NSF fees on the certified account itself and offer coverage only as a separate service you would have to opt into.
Of the 12 state-based listings, the most come from Ameris Bank, Atlantic Union Bank and Excite Credit Union.