Citizens Bank checking accounts have monthly fees, but you can avoid them

Citizens Bank does not offer a truly free checking account with no conditions. Most of their checking products charge a monthly maintenance fee—typically $10 to $15—unless you meet specific requirements. The most common way to waive the fee is to maintain a minimum balance, set up direct deposit, or keep a linked savings account open.

The exact fee structure and waiver options depend on which Citizens Bank checking product you choose. Some accounts are designed for students or younger customers and have lower fees or easier waiver paths. Others target customers who want rewards or higher interest rates, and those typically have higher monthly costs.

Key Takeaways

  • Citizens Bank's standard checking accounts charge $10 to $15 per month unless you meet a balance requirement or set up direct deposit.
  • The fee waiver options vary by account type—some require a minimum balance of $500 to $1,500, while others waive the fee with direct deposit alone.
  • Student and teen accounts may have lower fees or easier waiver conditions than standard adult checking.
  • You can review the specific fee schedule and waiver rules for each account on Citizens Bank's website or by calling their customer service line.

Standard checking accounts and their monthly fees

Citizens Bank's primary checking product is the Checking Account, which carries a $10 monthly maintenance fee. You can waive this fee by maintaining a minimum daily balance of $1,500, setting up direct deposit of at least $500 per month, or maintaining a linked Citizens Bank savings account with a $500 minimum balance.

Some customers find the direct deposit waiver easiest to meet, since it requires no ongoing balance management. Others prefer the linked savings account option if they already plan to save with Citizens Bank. The balance requirement is the most demanding option and means you cannot drop below $1,500 on any day of the month.

Premium and rewards checking options

Citizens Bank also offers Premium Checking and rewards-based checking accounts that charge higher monthly fees—often $25 or more—in exchange for perks like higher interest rates, cash back on debit card purchases, or waived overdraft fees. These accounts are not free and are designed for customers who value those extra benefits enough to pay for them.

If you do not need rewards or premium features, these accounts are not a good fit. The monthly cost adds up quickly and usually only makes sense if you use the rewards or other benefits regularly enough to offset the fee.

Student and teen accounts

Citizens Bank offers checking accounts designed for students and teenagers, which typically have lower or waived monthly fees. These accounts often come with no minimum balance requirement and no direct deposit requirement, making them genuinely free or very low-cost. However, they may have age limits or restrictions—for example, they might close automatically when you turn 25 or graduate.

If you are a student or under 18, ask Citizens Bank specifically about these accounts, as they are often not prominently advertised on the main website. You may need to visit a branch or call to learn the current terms.

How to avoid monthly fees on a standard account

The easiest path for most people is setting up direct deposit. If your employer or a government agency (such as Social Security) already deposits your paycheck or benefits directly into a bank account, you can redirect that deposit to Citizens Bank. Once direct deposit is active, the $10 monthly fee disappears, and it stays waived as long as the deposits continue.

If direct deposit is not an option, the linked savings account waiver is usually the next easiest. You open a Citizens Bank savings account, keep $500 in it, and link it to your checking account. This requires no ongoing activity—just the initial setup and maintaining the balance. The balance requirement waiver ($1,500 in checking) works but demands more discipline, since you cannot let your balance drop below that threshold on any single day.

What happens if you do not meet a waiver condition

If you do not meet any of the waiver requirements, Citizens Bank charges the full monthly maintenance fee. This fee is deducted from your account automatically each month, usually on the same date. Over a year, a $10 monthly fee costs $120, and a $15 fee costs $180.

Some customers accept this cost as the price of banking with Citizens Bank. Others find it cheaper to switch to a bank that offers free checking with no conditions. The decision depends on whether Citizens Bank's other features—branch locations, customer service, or online tools—are worth the annual fee to you.

Comparing Citizens Bank to other banks

Many online banks and some regional banks offer checking accounts with no monthly fee and no minimum balance requirement. If avoiding fees is your priority, those banks may be a better fit than Citizens Bank. However, Citizens Bank has physical branches in multiple states, which some customers prefer for in-person service or cash deposits.

The trade-off is real: free checking with no branches versus paid checking with branch access. Your choice depends on how much you value in-person banking. If you rarely visit a branch and do most banking online, a free account at an online bank may save you money. If you regularly need to deposit cash or speak to someone in person, the Citizens Bank fee might be worth it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I waive the Citizens Bank checking fee with a savings account at a different bank?

No. The linked savings account waiver requires the savings account to be at Citizens Bank itself. A savings account at another bank does not count toward waiving the checking fee.

Does Citizens Bank charge overdraft fees in addition to the monthly checking fee?

Yes. The monthly maintenance fee and overdraft fees are separate charges. Citizens Bank charges overdraft fees if you spend more than your available balance, and these fees are in addition to the monthly checking fee. Some premium checking accounts waive overdraft fees, but standard checking does not.

If I close my linked savings account, does the checking fee come back?

Yes. The fee waiver depends on maintaining the linked savings account with the required balance. If you close the savings account or let the balance drop below $500, the checking fee resumes the following month.

Do I have to use direct deposit from my employer, or can I transfer money in myself?

Direct deposit must come from your employer or a government agency—transfers you make yourself do not count. The waiver is designed to reward customers who have payroll or benefits deposited automatically.

What if I only meet one waiver condition some months and not others?

The fee waiver applies only during months when you meet at least one of the conditions. If you have direct deposit one month but not the next, you will be charged the fee in the month without direct deposit. The waiver resets each month based on your current status.