Huntington Bank's Monthly Maintenance Fees

Huntington Bank charges a monthly maintenance fee on most of its checking accounts, but the amount depends on which account you open. The Huntington Checking account costs $8 per month. The Huntington Premier Checking account costs $15 per month. The Huntington Student Checking account has no monthly fee for the first five years after you open it, then becomes $8 per month.

You can waive the monthly fee on most accounts by meeting one of these conditions: keeping a minimum daily balance (usually $500 to $1,500 depending on the account type), setting up direct deposit, or maintaining a linked savings account with a minimum balance. Huntington also waives fees for customers age 62 and older on certain accounts, and for active military members.

The fee structure can change, so confirm the current terms when you open an account or contact Huntington directly at 1-800-480-2265 to verify what applies to your specific account type.

Key Takeaways

  • Huntington Checking costs $8 per month and Premier Checking costs $15 per month unless you meet a waiver condition.
  • You can avoid monthly fees by maintaining a minimum balance, setting up direct deposit, or linking a savings account with the required balance.
  • Student checking accounts have no fee for five years, then convert to the standard $8 monthly fee.
  • Seniors age 62 and older and active military members may be exempt from monthly maintenance fees on certain accounts.

Overdraft and NSF Fees

Huntington charges an overdraft fee when you spend more money than you have in your account. The fee is $35 per overdraft transaction. If your account stays overdrawn, Huntington may charge an additional fee for each day the account remains negative, though this varies by account type.

A non-sufficient funds (NSF) fee applies when a check or automatic payment bounces because there is not enough money in your account. Huntington charges $35 for each NSF item. These fees can stack quickly if multiple transactions fail on the same day.

Huntington offers Overdraft Protection, which links your checking account to a savings account or line of credit. If you overdraw, the bank transfers money automatically from the linked account instead of charging an overdraft fee. This service is free to set up, though you pay interest on any borrowed funds.

ATM and Out-of-Network Fees

Using Huntington's own ATMs is free. If you use an ATM owned by another bank, Huntington charges a $2.50 out-of-network fee. The other bank's ATM operator may also charge you a separate fee on top of Huntington's charge.

Huntington is part of the MoneyPass network, which means you can use thousands of ATMs at partner banks and retailers without paying Huntington's out-of-network fee. Check Huntington's website or mobile app to locate a MoneyPass ATM near you before you withdraw cash.

Wire Transfer and Check-Related Fees

Sending a domestic wire transfer through Huntington costs $15. International wire transfers cost $45. These fees are charged whether you initiate the wire in person, by phone, or through online banking.

Ordering checks from Huntington carries a fee that varies based on the quantity and style you order. You can reduce this cost by ordering checks from a third-party printer and providing your account information, though you should confirm with Huntington that the checks will work with your account before placing a large order.

Stop-payment requests on checks cost $25 per check. This fee applies if you need to cancel a check you have already written.

Account Closure and Inactivity Fees

Huntington does not charge a fee to close a checking account. However, if you close an account within 90 days of opening it, Huntington may report this activity to ChexSystems, a banking history database that other banks use when deciding whether to open accounts for you.

Huntington does not charge an inactivity fee if your account sits unused for a period of time. However, if an account shows no deposits or withdrawals for an extended period (typically two years or more), Huntington may close it without notice and send any remaining balance to your state's unclaimed property program.

How to Reduce or Avoid Fees

The easiest way to avoid Huntington's monthly maintenance fee is to set up direct deposit. Most employers can deposit your paycheck directly into your Huntington account at no cost, and this single step waives the $8 or $15 monthly fee on most account types.

Keeping a minimum balance also waives the monthly fee. The required balance is typically $500 for standard checking and $1,500 for Premier Checking, though these amounts can change. If you maintain this balance, the monthly fee is waived automatically.

To avoid overdraft fees, enable overdraft protection by linking a savings account or line of credit to your checking account. You can also request that Huntington decline transactions that would overdraw your account, which prevents the overdraft fee but may cause the transaction to fail.

Use Huntington's ATMs or MoneyPass network ATMs to avoid the $2.50 out-of-network fee. The MoneyPass locator tool on Huntington's website shows you which ATMs are free to use.

Comparing Huntington Fees to Other Banks

Huntington's $8 monthly checking fee is higher than some online banks, which often charge no monthly maintenance fee at all. However, Huntington offers in-person branch service and ATM access, which online-only banks do not provide.

Regional banks like Fifth Third and KeyBank charge similar monthly fees ($8 to $15) with similar waiver options. National banks like Bank of America and Wells Fargo also charge monthly fees but may have higher minimum balance requirements to waive them.

If you want to avoid monthly fees entirely, online banks like Ally, Charles Schwab, and Discover Bank offer checking accounts with no monthly maintenance fee and no minimum balance requirement. The trade-off is that you cannot visit a physical branch or use a bank-owned ATM network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I waive Huntington's monthly fee without direct deposit?

Yes. You can waive the fee by keeping a minimum daily balance (usually $500 to $1,500 depending on account type) or by linking a savings account with the required minimum balance. Direct deposit is one option, but not the only one.

What happens if my account is overdrawn by accident?

Huntington charges $35 per overdraft transaction. If you catch it quickly, contact Huntington to ask about a one-time fee reversal, though they are not required to grant it. Setting up overdraft protection prevents future overdrafts by automatically transferring money from a linked account.

Does Huntington charge fees for mobile banking or online transfers?

No. Mobile banking, online transfers between your own Huntington accounts, and bill pay through Huntington's website are all free. You only pay fees for specific services like wire transfers, stop payments, and out-of-network ATM withdrawals.

What is the difference between Huntington Checking and Premier Checking?

Premier Checking costs $15 per month (compared to $8 for standard Checking) but typically offers higher interest rates on your balance and may include additional perks like fee waivers on certain services. The minimum balance to waive the fee is also higher for Premier.

Will Huntington close my account if I do not use it?

Huntington may close an account after two years or more of no activity and send any remaining balance to your state's unclaimed property program. To keep your account active, make at least one deposit or withdrawal every few months.