US Bank charges monthly fees on most checking accounts, but the amount depends on which account you open
US Bank's standard checking account, called US Bank Cash+, costs $12 per month. However, the bank waives this fee if you maintain a minimum daily balance of $1,500, set up direct deposit, or meet other conditions depending on the specific account tier. US Bank also offers US Bank Student Checking, which has no monthly fee for customers under 25, and US Bank Smartly Checking, which costs $10 per month but can be waived with a $500 minimum daily balance.
Beyond the monthly maintenance fee, US Bank charges for specific transactions and services: overdraft fees (currently $36 per overdraft), non-network ATM withdrawals ($2.50 per transaction outside the US Bank network), wire transfers ($15 for outgoing domestic wires), and stop payment requests ($30 each). These fees add up quickly if you use out-of-network ATMs regularly or overdraft your account.
The fee structure changes periodically, so confirm current rates on US Bank's website or by calling 1-800-872-2657 before opening an account. What matters most is whether the waiver conditions fit your actual banking habits—if you cannot maintain the minimum balance or do not receive direct deposit, you will pay the monthly fee regardless.
Key Takeaways
- US Bank Cash+ checking costs $12 per month unless you maintain a $1,500 minimum daily balance, receive direct deposit, or meet other waiver conditions.
- US Bank Student Checking has no monthly fee for customers under 25, making it the lowest-cost option if you may have access to.
- Overdraft fees are $36 per occurrence, and out-of-network ATM withdrawals cost $2.50 each, so these add significantly to your total cost.
- Wire transfers, stop payments, and other services carry separate fees that are not waived by the monthly maintenance fee waiver conditions.
How to waive the monthly maintenance fee
US Bank offers several paths to avoid the $12 monthly charge on Cash+ checking. The most common is maintaining a minimum daily balance of $1,500—this means your account balance must stay at or above that amount every single day of the month. If your balance dips below $1,500 even once, you will owe the full monthly fee for that statement period.
Setting up direct deposit is another waiver method. This means having your paycheck, Social Security payment, or other regular income deposited electronically into your US Bank account. The deposit must post to your account at least once per month; a single direct deposit is usually enough to waive the fee for that month.
Some US Bank accounts also waive fees if you maintain a linked savings account with a certain balance or if you have a US Bank credit card. The exact conditions vary by account type and change over time, so ask a US Bank representative which waiver options apply to the specific account you are considering.
Overdraft and out-of-network ATM fees add up fast
Even if you waive the monthly maintenance fee, other charges can accumulate. Overdraft fees are $36 per transaction when your account goes negative. US Bank allows overdrafts on debit card purchases and ATM withdrawals if you have opted into overdraft protection, meaning you can spend more than you have but will pay the fee for each overdraft occurrence. If you overdraft twice in one month, that is $72 in fees alone.
Using ATMs outside the US Bank network costs $2.50 per withdrawal. If you withdraw cash three times per week from non-US Bank ATMs, that is roughly $30 per month in fees—more than the monthly maintenance fee itself. US Bank has a nationwide network of ATMs, so the best way to avoid this fee is to locate a US Bank branch or ATM near your home, work, or regular destinations and use only those machines.
You can check whether an ATM is part of the US Bank network before you use it by searching the ATM locator on US Bank's website or using the US Bank mobile app. Allpoint and MoneyPass are partner networks that US Bank customers can sometimes use fee-free, but this varies by account type, so confirm your account's ATM access before relying on it.
Wire transfer, check, and other service fees
US Bank charges $15 for outgoing domestic wire transfers and higher fees for international wires. These fees are separate from the monthly maintenance fee and are not waived by meeting balance or direct deposit requirements. If you send wires regularly—for example, to pay rent or send money to family—these charges will add to your annual cost.
Ordering checks costs money at US Bank; the exact price depends on the quantity and style you order, but standard checks typically run $10 to $15 per box of 25. Stop payment requests cost $30 each if you need to cancel a check you have already written. Requesting a copy of a cancelled check or statement costs $5 to $10 per item.
Account research requests, expedited card replacement, and other services also carry fees. If you use checking primarily for direct deposit and debit card purchases, you will likely avoid most of these charges. But if you write checks frequently, send wires, or need copies of old statements, factor these fees into your decision about whether a US Bank account makes sense for your situation.
Comparing US Bank checking to other banks
Many online banks and credit unions offer checking accounts with no monthly fee and no minimum balance requirement. Banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Discover have $0 monthly maintenance fees and reimburse out-of-network ATM fees, which means you can use any ATM without paying extra. Credit unions often participate in shared branching networks, giving you access to thousands of ATMs nationwide without fees.
The trade-off is that online banks have no physical branches, so if you need to deposit cash or speak to someone in person, you will have to visit a partner location or mail in deposits. US Bank's advantage is its physical branch network—if you live or work near a US Bank branch and value in-person service, the $12 monthly fee might be worth it to you. But if you bank primarily online and rarely need a branch, a no-fee online bank will cost you significantly less over time.
Consider your actual banking habits: How often do you withdraw cash? Do you write checks? Do you need to deposit cash? Do you send wires? If you answer "rarely" or "never" to most of these, an online bank with no fees and ATM reimbursement will save you money. If you use branches regularly and maintain a high balance anyway, US Bank's fee structure may not matter much to you.
Student and youth checking options
US Bank Student Checking has no monthly maintenance fee for customers under 25 years old. This account includes the same features as Cash+ checking—debit card, online banking, mobile app—but without the $12 monthly charge. The overdraft fee ($36) and out-of-network ATM fee ($2.50) still apply, so you can still incur charges if you overdraft or use non-US Bank ATMs.
Once you turn 25, US Bank will convert your student account to a standard checking account, and the monthly fee will begin unless you meet one of the waiver conditions. Plan ahead by setting up direct deposit or maintaining the minimum balance before your 25th birthday so the fee does not surprise you.
If you are a student and do not have a US Bank branch nearby, consider whether the no-fee student account is worth opening just for the account history. Many students benefit from starting a checking account early, even if they later switch banks after graduation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get the monthly fee waived if I have a US Bank savings account?
Some US Bank accounts waive the checking fee if you maintain a linked savings account with a certain balance, but this varies by account type. Contact US Bank directly or ask a representative in a branch to confirm whether your specific account qualifies for this waiver option.
What happens if my direct deposit stops—do I have to pay the monthly fee?
Yes. If direct deposit is your waiver method and you stop receiving deposits, you will owe the monthly maintenance fee starting the next statement period unless you meet another waiver condition, such as maintaining the minimum balance. Let US Bank know if your employment changes so you can switch to a different waiver method.
Does US Bank reimburse out-of-network ATM fees?
No. US Bank does not reimburse fees charged by other banks' ATMs. You pay the $2.50 fee charged by US Bank, plus any fee the other bank charges (which can be $1 to $3 additional). Using only US Bank ATMs is the only way to avoid this cost.
Are there any US Bank checking accounts with no fees at all?
US Bank Student Checking has no monthly fee for customers under 25. For customers 25 and older, all standard checking accounts charge a monthly fee unless you meet a waiver condition. If you want a completely fee-free account with no conditions, you would need to open an account at a different bank.
How much does it cost to close a US Bank checking account?
US Bank does not charge a fee to close a checking account. You can close it online, by phone, or in person at a branch. If you have an outstanding balance or pending transactions, settle those before closing to avoid complications.