Regions charges a monthly fee for most checking accounts, but the amount and whether you pay it depends on which account you choose and how you use it

Regions Bank offers several checking account types, and most carry a monthly maintenance fee. The fee ranges from $5 to $15 per month depending on the account. However, you can waive the fee on most accounts by meeting one of several conditions—such as maintaining a minimum balance, setting up direct deposit, or keeping a linked savings account open.

The specific fee structure and waiver options differ by account type. Before opening an account, you should know which account Regions will assign you, what the monthly cost is, and exactly what you need to do to avoid paying it.

Key Takeaways

  • Most Regions checking accounts charge $5 to $15 per month, but the fee can be waived by meeting conditions like direct deposit or maintaining a minimum balance.
  • Regions offers different checking account tiers—such as basic, premium, and student accounts—each with different fee structures and waiver requirements.
  • You can avoid monthly fees by setting up direct deposit, keeping a minimum balance (typically $500 to $1,500 depending on the account), or linking a savings account.
  • If you do not meet any waiver condition, the monthly fee will be charged automatically and deducted from your account balance.

Which Regions checking accounts have monthly fees

Regions' main checking account options are the Essential Checking, Preferred Checking, and Student Checking accounts. Essential Checking typically carries a $5 monthly maintenance fee. Preferred Checking usually costs $15 per month. Student Checking is designed for students under 25 and generally has no monthly fee as long as you remain a student.

Regions also offers a Money Market Checking account, which combines checking features with higher interest rates but carries its own fee structure and minimum balance requirements. The exact fees and conditions change periodically, so the current terms for your specific account type are listed in Regions' account disclosure documents or on their website.

How to avoid the monthly fee

Regions allows you to waive the monthly maintenance fee on most checking accounts by meeting at least one of these conditions: setting up a direct deposit of any amount, maintaining a minimum daily balance (usually $500 to $1,500 depending on the account type), or linking an active Regions savings account to your checking account. Some accounts also waive the fee if you maintain a certain number of debit card transactions per month.

Direct deposit is the easiest waiver for most people because it requires no balance maintenance and no ongoing action after setup. If you receive a paycheck, government benefits, or regular transfers from an employer or other source, you can set up direct deposit through Regions' online banking or by contacting a branch. Once direct deposit posts to your account, the monthly fee is waived for that month and every month after, as long as direct deposit continues.

If direct deposit is not an option, the minimum balance waiver is the next most common route. You must maintain the required balance every day of the month—if your balance drops below the threshold even once, the fee will be charged. The minimum balance is typically $500 for Essential Checking and higher for premium accounts.

What happens if you do not meet a waiver condition

If you do not set up direct deposit, maintain the minimum balance, or meet any other waiver requirement, Regions will charge the monthly maintenance fee automatically. The fee is deducted from your account on a set date each month, usually around the first or the date you opened the account. The deduction counts as a withdrawal and reduces your available balance.

If your account balance is too low to cover the fee, Regions may charge an overdraft fee in addition to the maintenance fee. This can create a cascade of charges if you are not monitoring your account. To avoid this, set up at least one fee waiver—direct deposit is the simplest—or switch to an account type with no monthly fee if Regions offers one.

Comparing Regions checking to other banks

Many large national banks charge monthly checking account fees similar to Regions. Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and Chase all charge $10 to $15 per month on their standard checking accounts, with similar waiver options like direct deposit or minimum balance. Some online banks and credit unions offer checking accounts with no monthly fee at all, though they may have fewer branch locations or different features.

If you want to avoid monthly fees entirely, you can look for a no-fee checking account at an online bank, a local credit union, or a regional bank in your area. However, if you value Regions' branch network, customer service, or other features, the monthly fee may be worth the cost—especially if you can easily meet one of the waiver conditions.

How to check your current account's fee status

Log into Regions' online banking portal or mobile app and look for your account details. The account summary should show your account type and any active fee waivers. You can also call Regions customer service at the number on the back of your debit card, or visit a local branch and ask a representative to review your account.

If you are being charged a monthly fee but believe you should be exempt, ask the representative to verify that your direct deposit is set up correctly or that your balance meets the requirement. Sometimes direct deposit fails to post due to a payroll system error, or a balance dip goes unnoticed. A representative can often reverse a single month's fee if the issue was a technical problem on Regions' side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get the monthly fee waived if I just opened my account?

Most Regions accounts charge the fee starting the month after you open the account, not immediately. You have time to set up direct deposit or meet the minimum balance requirement before the first fee is charged. Check your account opening documents or contact Regions to confirm the exact date your first fee will be assessed.

What if I have direct deposit but I am still being charged a fee?

Direct deposit sometimes fails to post due to payroll system delays or incorrect account information. Log into your Regions account and check your recent transactions to confirm the deposit arrived. If it did not, contact your employer's payroll department to verify they have the correct account number. If the deposit posted but you were still charged, contact Regions to report the error—they can often reverse the fee.

Does Regions charge fees for other services like wire transfers or overdrafts?

Yes. Regions charges separate fees for wire transfers (typically $15 to $25), overdrafts (usually $35 per transaction), and other services. The monthly maintenance fee is separate from these fees. Review Regions' fee schedule on their website or ask at a branch to see the full list of charges that may apply to your account.

Can I switch to a different Regions checking account to avoid the fee?

Regions offers Student Checking with no monthly fee if you may have access to, and some specialty accounts may have different fee structures. Contact Regions to ask whether you can switch to a different account type without closing your current account. Switching accounts may affect your account number and any automatic payments linked to your old account.

What is the difference between Essential and Preferred Checking at Regions?

Essential Checking typically costs $5 per month and is the basic option. Preferred Checking costs $15 per month and usually includes benefits like higher interest rates, priority customer service, or waived fees on certain transactions. Both can have their monthly fees waived by meeting the same conditions—direct deposit, minimum balance, or linked savings account.