| Banking fees certainly have been climbing over the | | | | Free Checking, No Strings Attached - Yes, some |
| years. Today it is common to hear about banks | | | | banks still offer these types of accounts and they are |
| charging $35 for one returned check, $20 for a money | | | | not temporary bargains either. Open an account with |
| transfer, $125 for a consumer loan application, and $12 | | | | $100 in it and maintain a balance of at least $1 and |
| per month for checking. Fortunately, some financial | | | | your account is free. Credit unions and some internet |
| institutions are wising and realizing that customers do | | | | banks are offering free checking and certain larger |
| not want to over run with fees. While many of the | | | | banks are now doing the same in hopes that they will |
| charges I mentioned won't go away, checking account | | | | attract your business. Look for the bank that will give |
| fees can if you follow a few simple rules. | | | | to you your first checks for free and offers free online |
| Minimum Balances - Most banks that charge for | | | | banking with their plan. |
| checking accounts do allow you to avoid fees if | | | | Free Checking, With Strings - Some financial institutions |
| balances stay above a certain amount such as $1000. | | | | will give to you free checking as long as you have |
| While you essentially forfeit $50 per year by not | | | | some other account with them. This works somewhat |
| investing the thousand dollars in a CD, you could save | | | | like the bank's plus account, but without account |
| yourself $100 or more in banking fees by maintaining | | | | minimum balances, however. |
| the required minimum amount in your account. | | | | No, free checking hasn't disappeared completely and |
| Plus Accounts - Offered under a variety of names, | | | | some financial institutions are now joining in to combat |
| plus or "package" accounts allow you to avoid | | | | the strength and competition of internet banks, |
| checking account fees if you bundle several accounts | | | | powerful credit unions, and other progressive |
| together. This means in addition to a checking account, | | | | consumer friendly financial institutions who are trying to |
| a line of credit, a credit card, or some other consumer | | | | win over your business. Truly, free checking accounts |
| account would cancel out the fee. Typically this type | | | | are the right way for you to bank. Have you opened |
| of account involves your opening up a credit card with | | | | your account yet? |
| a credit line of $1000 or more. | | | | |