Citizens Bank charges a monthly fee on most checking accounts, but you can waive it

Citizens Bank's standard checking account, called the Basic Checking account, carries a $10 monthly maintenance fee. However, you can eliminate this fee by meeting one of these conditions: maintain a minimum daily balance of $1,500, set up direct deposit, or link an active Citizens Bank savings account with a $500 minimum balance. The fee structure varies slightly depending on which Citizens Bank subsidiary you bank with — Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania, Citizens Bank of Rhode Island, and Citizens Bank of Massachusetts each have their own terms — so confirm the exact requirements for your location before opening an account.

Citizens Bank also offers Premium Checking, which costs $25 per month and includes benefits like higher interest rates, fee waivers on certain services, and priority customer service. This account is designed for customers who maintain higher balances or want expanded perks. If you do not meet the waiver requirements for Basic Checking, you will pay the $10 monthly fee unless you close the account or switch to a different product.

Key Takeaways

  • Citizens Bank's Basic Checking account has a $10 monthly maintenance fee that can be waived by direct deposit, a $1,500 minimum daily balance, or linking a $500 savings account.
  • Premium Checking costs $25 per month and is aimed at customers who want higher interest rates and additional service waivers.
  • The exact fee structure and waiver options depend on which Citizens Bank subsidiary operates in your state, so verify the terms for your location.
  • Other transaction fees — such as overdraft fees, ATM fees outside the Citizens network, and wire transfer fees — apply separately and are not waived by the monthly fee.

How to waive the $10 monthly fee on Basic Checking

The easiest way to avoid the fee is to set up direct deposit of your paycheck, government benefits, or other recurring income. Once direct deposit is active, Citizens Bank waives the $10 monthly maintenance charge automatically. You do not need to maintain any balance or perform other actions — the direct deposit alone removes the fee.

If direct deposit is not an option for you, maintain a minimum daily balance of $1,500 in the checking account. This means the account must hold at least $1,500 every single day of the month; if it drops below that amount on even one day, you will owe the fee for that month. This option works best if you receive a lump sum payment or keep a buffer in checking.

A third path is to link an active Citizens Bank savings account with a minimum balance of $500. The savings account must remain open and funded throughout the month. This option ties two accounts together, so if either account falls below its minimum, you may lose the fee waiver on both.

Other fees that are not waived by the monthly maintenance charge

Waiving the $10 monthly fee does not protect you from other charges Citizens Bank applies to checking accounts. Overdraft fees typically run $35 per transaction when you spend more than your available balance, and Citizens Bank may charge multiple overdraft fees in a single day. Out-of-network ATM fees apply when you withdraw cash from an ATM that is not part of the Citizens Bank network — usually $2 to $3 per withdrawal, plus any fee the other bank charges.

Wire transfers, cashier's checks, and expedited transfers also carry separate fees that the monthly maintenance waiver does not cover. Stop payments on checks cost money as well. Review the full fee schedule on Citizens Bank's website or ask at a branch to understand which services carry charges beyond the monthly maintenance fee.

Premium Checking and what it includes

Citizens Bank's Premium Checking account costs $25 per month and is designed for customers who want higher interest rates and expanded benefits. The account typically includes a higher APY (annual percentage yield) on your balance compared to Basic Checking, though the exact rate varies by location and market conditions. Premium Checking also waives certain fees — such as wire transfer fees, cashier's check fees, and out-of-network ATM fees — that would otherwise cost you money.

Premium Checking does not waive overdraft fees or all service charges, so read the terms carefully before upgrading. This account makes sense if you regularly use services like wire transfers or need the higher interest rate, but for most people, waiving the Basic Checking fee through direct deposit or a minimum balance is the better choice.

How Citizens Bank calculates the minimum daily balance requirement

If you choose to waive the fee through the $1,500 minimum daily balance, Citizens Bank looks at your balance every single day of the month. The account must never drop below $1,500, even for one day. If you receive a paycheck on the 15th and spend it down by the 20th, and your balance falls to $1,499 on the 21st, you will owe the $10 fee for that entire month.

This is stricter than some banks, which calculate an average daily balance or require the minimum only on certain days. If you have irregular income or tend to carry a lower balance, the direct deposit waiver or the linked savings account option will be more reliable than trying to maintain $1,500 every single day.

What happens if you do not meet a waiver requirement

If you do not set up direct deposit, do not maintain the $1,500 minimum daily balance, and do not link a may have access to savings account, Citizens Bank will charge you $10 at the end of each month. The fee is deducted automatically from your checking account balance. You will see it listed as a line item on your monthly statement.

If your account balance is too low to cover the fee, Citizens Bank may charge an overdraft fee on top of the monthly maintenance fee, which can quickly add up. To avoid this spiral, either set up one of the waiver methods or consider switching to a bank with no monthly checking fees if Citizens Bank does not meet your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I waive the fee by using my debit card a certain number of times?

No. Citizens Bank does not waive the monthly fee based on debit card transactions or the number of purchases you make. The only waivers are direct deposit, the $1,500 minimum daily balance, or linking a savings account with $500. Using your card frequently will not reduce or eliminate the $10 charge.

Does the direct deposit have to be from my employer, or can it be from anywhere?

Direct deposit from any source — employer paycheck, government benefits, pension, or another bank — counts toward the waiver. Citizens Bank does not restrict which type of direct deposit qualifies, only that it must be set up and active on your account.

What if I close my linked savings account — do I lose the checking fee waiver?

Yes. If you close the savings account or let its balance fall below $500, you lose the fee waiver on the checking account. The waiver is active only as long as both accounts meet their requirements. If you close savings, switch to direct deposit or the minimum balance method to keep the checking fee waived.

Is the $10 monthly fee charged even if I have no transactions?

Yes, if you do not meet a waiver requirement. Citizens Bank charges the $10 maintenance fee every month regardless of whether you use the account, as long as the account remains open and you have not met one of the three waiver conditions.

Can I negotiate or dispute the monthly fee if I have been a long-time customer?

Citizens Bank's published fee schedule applies to all customers equally. However, you can contact a branch manager or customer service to discuss your situation — some banks will waive fees as a courtesy for loyal customers, though there is no may provide. It never hurts to ask, but do not count on it.