Truist made headlines when it eliminated overdraft fees on its flagship checking account, something most big banks still have not done. But Truist checking account fees did not disappear entirely: there is still a $12 monthly maintenance fee waiting for anyone who does not qualify for a waiver.
Here is every major fee on Truist One Checking as of July 2026, exactly how to avoid each one, and how the $100 negative balance buffer works.
Truist Checking Account Fees at a Glance
| Fee | Amount (as of July 2026) | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly maintenance fee | $12 | Six waiver options (below) |
| Overdraft fee | $0 | Eliminated on Truist One Checking |
| Returned item (NSF) fee | $0 | Eliminated on Truist One Checking |
| Non-Truist ATM fee | Charged per transaction (see fee schedule) | Use Truist's ATM network |
Fees can change, so confirm current numbers in Truist's personal deposit accounts fee schedule before opening.
The $12 Monthly Fee and Six Ways to Waive It
Truist One Checking charges $12 per month, but you only need to meet one of these conditions to skip it:
- Receive $500 or more in total qualifying direct deposits per statement cycle
- Keep a total combined balance of $500 or more across your related Truist accounts
- Have a personal Truist credit card, mortgage, or consumer loan
- Link a Truist small business checking account
- Be a student (documentation may be required)
- Be under age 25 or age 62 and older as the primary account owner
The direct deposit route is the easiest for most people. A single $250 paycheck deposited twice a month clears the bar. If none of these fit, the fee costs $144 a year.
Overdraft Fees: Truist One Checking Charges None
Truist eliminated overdraft fees and returned item fees on Truist One Checking. If a transaction would overdraw your account beyond any available buffer, Truist simply declines or returns it rather than charging you $30-plus like many competitors.
That makes this account a solid pick if overdraft fees have burned you before. There is no fee-based overdraft program to opt into or accidentally trigger.
The $100 Negative Balance Buffer, Explained
Qualifying Truist One Checking customers can overdraw their account by up to $100 with no fee, no interest, and no separate enrollment. Truist calls this the negative balance buffer, and it works like a small cushion for timing gaps between bills and paydays.
To qualify, your account must be open at least 35 calendar days and receive a single direct deposit of $100 or more within the past 35 calendar days. To keep the buffer, you need at least one $100+ direct deposit every 35 days. Go 35 days without one and the buffer switches off until you qualify again.
One honest caveat: $100 is a modest cushion. If your budget swings more than that, a buffer alone will not save you from declined transactions.
ATM Fees and Other Charges to Watch
Truist has thousands of its own ATMs across its Southeast and Mid-Atlantic footprint, and using them is free. Outside the network, Truist charges a per-transaction fee (listed in its fee schedule), and the ATM owner usually adds its own surcharge on top. Two or three out-of-network withdrawals a month can quietly cost more than the maintenance fee.
Other charges worth knowing: wire transfers, cashier's checks, and similar services carry standard fees listed in Truist's personal deposit accounts fee schedule. Truist One Checking also uses a benefits system that improves perks as your balances grow, so higher-balance customers get more fee relief automatically.
How to Pay Truist Nothing
A realistic zero-fee setup looks like this: route a $500+ monthly direct deposit to the account (waives the $12 fee and keeps the $100 buffer active), withdraw cash only at Truist ATMs, and let the no-overdraft-fee policy handle slip-ups. Do those three things and most people will pay Truist $0 in a typical month.
Fee-Free Alternatives if You Want Zero Conditions
If you would rather not manage waiver requirements at all, app-based accounts start at zero by default. Current has no monthly maintenance fee, offers fee-free overdraft of up to $200 with qualifying direct deposits (double Truist's buffer), and includes a large fee-free ATM network.
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 also charges no monthly fees, and its SpotMe feature can cover overdrafts up to $200 with no fee once you qualify, plus direct deposits can arrive up to two days early.
Neither has branches, which matters if you deposit cash or want in-person service. If you do not, they remove every fee this article just explained. Terms apply and features vary by account activity.
Chime
Chime
- Fee-free banking plus early pay access - Overdraft up to $200 without fees - 5% cash back and build credit everyday. - 3.75% APY on your savings.
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Truist charge overdraft fees?
Not on Truist One Checking. Truist eliminated overdraft and returned item fees on this account. Transactions that would overdraw your account beyond any available buffer are declined or returned instead of triggering a fee.
How do I qualify for the Truist $100 negative balance buffer?
Your Truist One Checking account must be open for at least 35 calendar days and receive a single direct deposit of $100 or more within the past 35 days. You keep the buffer by continuing to receive at least one $100 direct deposit every 35 days.
Is there a free checking account at Truist?
Truist One Checking is effectively free if you meet any one of six waiver conditions, such as $500 in monthly direct deposits or being under 25. Truist also offers a student checking option. Without a waiver, the One Checking fee is $12 per month as of July 2026.
What is the Truist Confidence Account?
It is Truist's checkless, second-chance account designed to prevent overdrafts entirely, since transactions that exceed your balance are declined. It can suit people rebuilding their banking history, though it has fewer features than Truist One Checking. Check Truist's site for its current fee and waiver terms.
