Your bank account could be costing you — try these 6 low- or no-fee options

If you're trying to improve your finances and make your money work harder, start by making sure your bank account is actually working for you. Hidden fees and restrictive deposit rules can quietly drain your bank balance, adding up to hundreds a year. Here are the bank account features that could be holding you back, and the types of accounts to consider instead. Your bank account is costing you if Explore checking and savings options built to help your money go further. Offers in this section are from affiliate partners and selected based on a combination of engagement, product relevance, compensation, and consistent availability. You're paying a monthly maintenance fee Many bank accounts charge users a monthly fee for simply having an account. These fees average $13.95 per month, according to the 2026 MoneyRates Checking Account Fee survey — that adds up to nearly $170 over the course of a year. Typically, this monthly fee can be waived by maintaining a minimum balance, but that's not always doable. You should consider a bank account that doesn't have a monthly maintenance fee from the start, like the Capital One 360 Checking or the Alliant Credit Union High-Rate Checking . The Alliant account also offers up to $20 per month in ATM fee reimbursements, while the Capital One account offers a small APY to help you earn interest on your balance. Capital One Bank is a Member FDIC. …