Truist checking accounts have no monthly minimum balance requirement
Truist does not require you to keep a set amount of money in your checking account to avoid fees or to keep the account open. You can open an account, deposit one dollar, and leave it there without penalty. The account will not close and you will not be charged a monthly maintenance fee based on balance.
However, Truist does charge a monthly service fee on most checking accounts unless you meet one of their waiver conditions. The fee itself is not tied to your balance—it is tied to your activity or account type. Understanding which accounts have fees and how to avoid them matters more than understanding a minimum balance rule that does not exist.
Key Takeaways
- Truist checking accounts have no minimum balance requirement, but most accounts do charge a monthly service fee unless you meet a waiver condition.
- The most common way to waive the monthly fee is to set up a direct deposit of any amount into the account each month.
- Some Truist checking accounts, such as the Student Checking account, have no monthly service fee at all regardless of balance or activity.
- Overdraft fees apply if you spend more than your balance, even if your balance is zero—this is separate from any monthly maintenance fee.
Which Truist checking accounts charge a monthly fee
Truist offers several checking account types, and the fee structure varies by account. The Truist One Checking account, which is their standard offering, charges a monthly service fee. The Truist Wealth Checking account also charges a monthly service fee. The Truist Student Checking account does not charge a monthly service fee at any balance level.
For accounts that do charge a fee, Truist waives it if you meet one of these conditions: set up a direct deposit (any amount, any frequency), maintain an average daily balance of a certain amount (this varies by account type and changes over time), or link the account to a Truist investment or wealth management relationship. The direct deposit route is the easiest for most people because it requires no balance threshold.
How direct deposit waives the monthly fee
If your employer, government agency, or other income source deposits money into your Truist checking account via direct deposit, Truist waives the monthly service fee. The deposit does not have to be large—even a small recurring deposit counts. The deposit does not have to happen every month in some cases, but setting it up as recurring is the safest way to ensure the fee stays waived.
To set up direct deposit, you provide your employer or benefit administrator with your Truist account number and routing number. Truist will send you these details when you open the account, or you can find them in your online banking portal or on a check. Once the first deposit posts, Truist typically recognizes it and applies the fee waiver to your next billing cycle.
Overdraft fees are separate from monthly service fees
Even if you have no monthly service fee, Truist will charge you an overdraft fee if you spend more money than you have in your account. This fee applies whether your balance is zero or negative. Truist's overdraft fee structure has changed over time, so the exact amount varies—contact Truist directly or check your account agreement for the current fee.
You can link a savings account or credit card to your checking account for overdraft protection, which means Truist will transfer money from the linked account if you overdraft. This prevents the overdraft fee but may trigger a transfer fee instead, depending on the account type. Some accounts offer overdraft protection at no cost.
How to avoid fees entirely
The simplest path is to open a Truist Student Checking account if you are may be able to access. This account has no monthly service fee and no minimum balance. If you are not a student, set up a direct deposit into a standard Truist checking account—this waives the monthly fee and costs you nothing.
If you cannot set up direct deposit, check whether Truist's current balance threshold for fee waiver is something you can maintain. This threshold changes, so log into your online banking or call Truist to confirm the exact amount. You can also ask whether linking a savings account or investment account to your checking account qualifies for a fee waiver under your specific account type.
What happens if you do not meet a fee waiver condition
If you do not set up direct deposit, do not maintain the required balance, and do not have an may be able to access linked account, Truist charges the monthly service fee. This fee is deducted from your account automatically each month on a set date. The fee does not close your account—you can keep using it, but the fee will continue to be charged each month until you meet a waiver condition or close the account.
If your account balance drops below zero because of the monthly fee and you have no overdraft protection, you will also owe an overdraft fee on top of the service fee. This can happen if your balance is very low and the service fee pushes you negative. Setting up direct deposit or maintaining a small buffer balance prevents this situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep a Truist checking account open with zero dollars in it?
Yes. Truist will not close your account or charge you a balance-based fee for having zero dollars. However, if your account type charges a monthly service fee and you do not meet a waiver condition, that fee will still be charged and may push your balance negative, triggering an overdraft fee.
Does Truist charge a fee to open a checking account?
No. Truist does not charge an account opening fee. You can open a checking account online, by phone, or in a branch at no cost.
What is the minimum balance to avoid overdraft fees?
There is no set minimum balance that prevents overdraft fees. Overdraft fees are charged when you spend more than your current balance, regardless of how much that balance is. The only way to avoid them is to not overdraft or to set up overdraft protection linked to another account.
If I have direct deposit, do I need to keep any money in my account?
No. Once direct deposit is set up, the monthly service fee is waived regardless of your balance. You can spend all the money in your account and the fee waiver stays active. However, if you spend more than you have, you will owe an overdraft fee.
Does Truist charge a fee to close a checking account?
Truist does not charge a fee to close a checking account. You can close it online, by phone, or in a branch. Make sure your balance is zero or positive before closing, or you may owe any negative balance as a debt.