Picking a checking account gets confusing fast when one bank offers half a dozen versions. That is the case with S&T Bank, a regional bank based in Pennsylvania that runs several personal checking accounts side by side. The good news is that one of them carries no monthly service fee at all.
This guide breaks down each S&T Bank checking account, what it costs, and who it fits, so you can match the right one to how you actually bank.
Key facts at a glance
| Account | To open | Monthly fee | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Select Banking | Low opening deposit | No monthly service fee | Everyday, cost-conscious banking |
| Preferred Banking | $50 | $10 (waivable) | Rewards and higher balances |
| Interest Checking | $50 | Waivable with balance | Earning interest on larger balances |
| Easy Banking | $25 | $5 | A simple, checkless account |
Details are current as of July 2026 and are set by S&T Bank, a Member FDIC institution. Confirm terms before opening.
Select Banking: the no-fee everyday account
Select Banking is S&T Bank's simple, cost-conscious checking option. The standout feature is that it has no monthly service fee, which is rare among traditional banks.
The account includes a free debit card, free access to S&T Bank ATMs, and mobile and online banking. For most people who just want a reliable checking account without balance requirements or monthly charges, this is the account to look at first.
If you keep a modest balance and mainly need a place to deposit your paycheck and pay bills, Select Banking covers the basics without nickel-and-diming you.
Preferred Banking: rewards for higher balances
Preferred Banking is built for customers who keep more money at the bank and want extra perks. It requires $50 to open and carries a $10 monthly maintenance fee, but that fee can be waived.
You can avoid the $10 fee by maintaining a minimum daily balance of $1,000, or by holding a combined deposit and home loan balance of $25,000 or more. The account adds free ATM access and debit card rewards on top of standard mobile and online banking.
This account fits people who can comfortably meet the balance requirement and want to earn something back from their everyday spending.
Interest Checking: earn while you spend
Interest Checking is designed for higher balances and pays interest while keeping full checking access. It requires $50 to open.
To skip the monthly fee, you generally need to maintain a minimum daily balance of $1,000, an average monthly balance of $2,500, or total combined personal deposit and home loan balances of $20,000. Because interest rates on bank checking accounts are usually modest, check the current APY before assuming it will meaningfully grow your money.
If you routinely carry a large checking balance, earning a little interest on it beats letting it sit idle.
Easy Banking and other options
Easy Banking is a checkless account built for simplicity. It requires $25 to open, has no minimum balance requirement after that, and charges a $5 monthly maintenance fee. It can serve people who want a straightforward account and do not need paper checks.
S&T Bank also offers specialized accounts. Four Star is aimed at customers 50 and older and adds overdraft protection and discounted checks. Smart Start Banking helps teens and young adults build everyday banking habits, and Armed Forces Checking serves those with a valid military ID.
With this many options, the key is matching the account to your balance and habits rather than defaulting to the first one a branch suggests.
How S&T checking compares to digital banks
S&T Bank's strength is local, in-person banking with a no-fee entry option in Select Banking. That branch access matters to people who deposit cash or prefer face-to-face help.
If you rarely visit a branch, digital banking apps can offer strong alternatives with no monthly fees and features built for phone-first users. Current Banking provides fee-light checking with early direct deposit options, which some people prefer over a traditional account with balance rules.
Current Banking
Current Banking
Current is a mobile-first banking app with no monthly fee and no minimum balance. Members can earn up to 4.00% APY with a qualifying direct deposit of $200, receive direct-deposit paychecks up to 2 days early, and overdraft up to $200 fee-free.
Standout feature
4.00% APY on Savings Pods (with a $200+ qualifying direct deposit) plus paycheck up to 2 days early — both included on the standard account for free
Fees
Free
Pros
$0 monthly fee; up to 4.00% APY on Savings Pods with qualifying direct deposit; paycheck up to 2 days early;
Cons
No physical branches
Chime is another app-first option with fee-light checking and early direct deposit, so weigh whether you value branch access or phone-first convenience more. No checking account is entirely without risk, but S&T deposits are FDIC-insured up to $250,000, so your principal is protected within those limits.
Chime
Chime
- Fee-free banking plus early pay access (up to 2 days early with direct deposit)¹ - Overdraft up to $200 without fees for eligible members¹ - 5% cash back on category of choice (with qualifying direct deposit)¹ - 3.75% APY on your savings¹
Standout feature
No credit check, no interest, no annual fee, and no minimum deposit required.
Fees
$0
Pros
Fee-Free Banking and Get paid up to 2 days early
Cons
App/online-only support, no branches
What Users Commonly Report
Customers frequently praise S&T Bank for friendly branch service and the genuinely no-fee Select Banking account. Many local users appreciate having a community-oriented bank with real people to talk to.
A common complaint involves the balance requirements on the higher-tier accounts, with some users saying the monthly fees are easy to trigger if their balance dips. Others mention that the interest rates on deposit accounts are modest compared to online banks, and a few wish the mobile app had more features. As always, the best account depends on how you bank day to day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does S&T Bank offer a free checking account?
Yes. Select Banking has no monthly service fee and includes a free debit card, free S&T Bank ATM access, and mobile and online banking. It is the most cost-conscious of S&T Bank's checking options.
How do I avoid monthly fees on S&T Bank checking?
It depends on the account. Select Banking has no monthly fee at all. Preferred Banking waives its $10 fee with a $1,000 daily balance or $25,000 in combined deposit and home loan balances, and Interest Checking waives its fee with qualifying balances.
How much do I need to open an S&T Bank checking account?
Opening deposits vary by account. Easy Banking requires $25, while Preferred Banking and Interest Checking each require $50. Select Banking is designed as a low-cost everyday option, so confirm its current opening deposit with the bank.
Is S&T Bank FDIC insured?
Yes. S&T Bank is a Member FDIC institution, so eligible deposits are insured up to $250,000 per depositor. That protects your principal within federal limits if the bank were to fail.
Account details and fees are current as of July 2026 and can change. This article is for general information and not financial advice. Confirm current terms directly with S&T Bank before opening an account.
