A maintenance fee is one of those silent charges that quietly drains your checking or savings account every month, often without you noticing. The average U.S. bank charges between $5 and $25 a month just for keeping your account open. Over a year, that adds up to as much as $300, money that could have gone toward bills, savings, or building credit.
If you have ever looked at your bank statement and wondered why your balance shrank without spending anything, a maintenance fee is usually the answer. The good news is that almost every maintenance fee can be avoided once you know how the rules work.
What Is a Maintenance Fee?
A maintenance fee, sometimes called a monthly service fee, is a flat charge banks apply to keep your account active. It is meant to cover the cost of customer service, branch access, paper statements, and basic account upkeep.
The fee shows up on your statement as a line item like Monthly Service Charge or Account Maintenance. It is automatic, which means the bank pulls it from your balance whether you used the account that month or not.
Not every account has one. Many online banks and fintech apps like Current Build Card waive maintenance fees entirely, while traditional brick-and-mortar banks tend to charge them by default. If you want to understand how these charges interact with your real balance, see our breakdown of account balance basics.
How Much Do Maintenance Fees Cost?
Maintenance fees vary widely depending on the bank and the account type. Here is what you can expect at major U.S. banks as of 2026:
- Basic checking: $5 to $15 per month
- Premium or interest-bearing checking: $15 to $35 per month
- Savings accounts: $4 to $10 per month
- Money market accounts: $10 to $20 per month
Some banks charge separate fees for paper statements, dormant accounts, or accounts that fall below a minimum balance. These extras can stack on top of the base maintenance charge.
Why Do Banks Charge Maintenance Fees?
Banks claim maintenance fees cover the cost of running your account. That includes things like:
- Staffing branches and call centers
- Mailing paper statements
- Maintaining ATM networks
- Processing transactions and providing fraud protection
In reality, maintenance fees are also a major revenue stream. According to a 2024 report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, U.S. banks collected over $7 billion in account fees in a single year. That number includes maintenance fees, overdraft charges, and ATM fees combined.
For people living paycheck to paycheck, even a $12 monthly fee can push an account into the negative, which then triggers more fees. It is a cycle that hurts low-income customers the most.
Common Ways to Waive a Maintenance Fee
Most banks will waive your maintenance fee if you meet one or more of these conditions:
- Keep a minimum daily balance (often $500 to $1,500)
- Set up direct deposit of at least $250 to $500 per month
- Make a certain number of debit card purchases (usually 10 per month)
- Link multiple accounts at the same bank
- Be a student, senior, or military member
Each bank has its own rules. Check your account agreement or call customer service to find out exactly what you need to do.
If you cannot meet the requirements, switching to a no-fee account is usually the simplest fix.
Maintenance Fees on Credit-Building Products
Maintenance fees do not only apply to checking and savings accounts. Some credit-building products, secured cards, and credit builder loans also charge them. For example, certain secured credit cards have an annual fee that functions like a maintenance fee.
The Self Visa® Credit Card charges a $25 annual fee, which works out to about $2 per month. OpenSky charges $35 a year for its secured card. Compared to traditional bank fees, these are relatively low, and they come paired with credit reporting that helps you build a score.
Firstcard offers a credit-building product with no hidden monthly maintenance fee. You can review the details on the credit building card page.
How to Avoid a Maintenance Fee Completely
The easiest way to avoid a maintenance fee is to choose an account that never charges one. Several types of accounts qualify:
- Online-only checking accounts from neobanks
- Credit union accounts (many waive fees for members)
- Student or youth accounts
- Free second-chance checking for people rebuilding credit
Apps like Brigit and Monarch Money help you track all your accounts in one place, so you can spot maintenance fees the moment they hit. Spotting the charge is the first step to disputing it or switching banks.
If you want to stay with your current bank, call and ask if they can waive the fee. Many banks will refund a maintenance fee one to two times per year as a courtesy, especially if you have been a long-term customer.
What to Do If You Are Stuck Paying a Maintenance Fee
If the fee keeps hitting your account, take these steps:
- Read your account terms and find the exact waiver requirements.
- Set up direct deposit or automatic transfers to meet the minimum.
- Set a calendar reminder to check your balance before the monthly cutoff.
- If none of that works, open a no-fee account at another institution and move your money.
Closing an account does not hurt your credit score. Just make sure all pending transactions clear before you close it.
Maintenance Fees vs. Other Bank Fees
It helps to know the difference between a maintenance fee and other charges. A maintenance fee is recurring and predictable. Other common bank fees include:
- Overdraft fees ($25 to $35 per transaction)
- ATM fees ($2.50 to $5 per non-network withdrawal)
- Wire transfer fees ($15 to $45)
- Foreign transaction fees (1% to 3% of the purchase)
Maintenance fees are usually smaller per occurrence, but they add up because they happen every single month. A $12 monthly fee equals $144 a year. That is real money for anyone working to build their credit and savings.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can a maintenance fee be refunded?
Yes, most banks will refund a maintenance fee once or twice a year if you call and ask politely. Long-term customers, students, and military members often have the best luck getting fees reversed. Refunds are not guaranteed, so the best approach is to avoid the fee altogether.
Do all banks charge a maintenance fee?
No. Many online banks, credit unions, and fintech apps offer free checking and savings accounts with zero monthly maintenance fees. Even some traditional banks have free account options if you meet certain requirements like direct deposit or a minimum balance.
Does paying a maintenance fee affect my credit score?
No, maintenance fees on checking and savings accounts do not appear on your credit report. They only impact your bank balance. However, if a maintenance fee causes an overdraft and you do not pay it back, the bank could send the account to collections, which can damage your credit.
Is a maintenance fee the same as an annual fee?
Not exactly. A maintenance fee is usually charged monthly, while an annual fee is charged once a year. Both work the same way in terms of cost, just with different billing cycles. Credit cards typically use annual fees, while bank accounts more often use monthly maintenance fees.
