$25? $15? What the heck are all these hidden bank fees on my statement?
You are not alone in getting these excessive fees.
Accountable.us reportedBank of Americahas made over $2.6 billion from “junk fees.” Forbes reported as of September 2023,JPMorganhas raked in over $3.4 billion from junk fees. Oh and Wells Fargo raked in more than $3 billion.
When considering where you bank, what kind of fees the bank charges should be front and center on your list of criteria.
We know it can be frustrating to see those fees. If you were able to invest those little amounts, they would really add up, instead of dinging your monthly balance!
In this blog post, we’ll shed light on some of the most common hidden bank fees, empowering you to take control of your financial destiny.
The Anatomy of Hidden Bank Fees
Hidden bank fees come in many shapes and sizes, each designed to siphon off funds from your accounts without you even realizing it. Here are some of the most prevalent offenders:
#1 Minimum Balance Fees
Many banks impose minimum balance requirements on their checking and savings accounts. If your account balance falls below this threshold, you may find yourself subject to a minimum balance fee.
These fees can vary widely depending on the financial institution and the type of account you hold. For example, a bank might require you to maintain a minimum balance of $1,000 in your savings account to avoid a monthly fee.
If your balance dips below this amount, you could be charged a monthly fee.
#2 Maintenance Fees
Bank maintenance fees, also known as account maintenance fees, are charges imposed by financial institutions for the upkeep and administration of your account.
These fees are typically assessed on a monthly basis and may vary depending on the type of account you hold and the policies of your bank.
#3 NSF (Non-Sufficient Funds) Fees
NSF fees, also known as overdraft fees, are incurred when you attempt to make a transaction that exceeds your available balance. Whether you’re writing a check, swiping your debit card, or initiating an electronic transfer, if there aren’t enough funds in your account to cover the transaction, your bank may hit you with an NSF fee.
These fees can be particularly punitive, often ranging from $25 to $35 per occurrence. What’s more, if you make multiple transactions while your account is overdrawn, you could be charged an NSF fee for each one, compounding the financial impact.
#4 ATM Fees
While the convenience of ATMs is undeniable, the fees associated with using them can quickly add up. In addition to any charges imposed by your own bank, you may also be subject to surcharges levied by the ATM owner if you use a machine that is outside of your bank’s network.
These fees can range from $2 to $5 or more per transaction, making frequent ATM use a costly habit. Furthermore, if you’re traveling internationally and need to withdraw cash in a foreign currency, you may encounter additional currency conversion fees on top of the standard ATM fees.
#5 Currency Conversion Fees
Speaking of currency conversion fees, this often-overlooked charge can catch travelers by surprise when using their debit or credit cards abroad.
When you make a purchase in a foreign currency, your bank may apply a currency conversion fee to convert the transaction amount into US dollars.
This fee is typically calculated as a percentage of the purchase price, ranging from 1% to 3% or more.
Additionally, some banks may tack on an additional foreign transaction fee on top of the currency conversion fee, further increasing the overall cost of your international purchases.
The Impact of Hidden Bank Fees
The cumulative effect of hidden bank fees can be staggering, draining your financial resources and impeding your ability to achieve your goals. Consider the following scenario:
Let’s say you have a checking account with a minimum balance requirement of $1,000 to avoid a monthly fee. Due to an unexpected expense, your account balance dips below this threshold, triggering a $10 minimum balance fee. Shortly thereafter, you make a purchase that exceeds your available balance, resulting in a $35 NSF fee. To add insult to injury, you use an out-of-network ATM to withdraw cash, incurring a $3 surcharge from the ATM owner and a $2 fee from your own bank. Finally, during a trip abroad, you use your debit card to make a $500 purchase in a foreign currency, incurring a 3% currency conversion fee.
In this scenario, you’ve been hit with a total of $50 in hidden bank fees within a relatively short period of time. While each individual fee may seem insignificant on its own, the cumulative impact can have a significant negative effect on your financial well-being.
Strategies for Avoiding Hidden Bank Fees
Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimize or eliminate the impact of hidden bank fees on your finances:
#1 Choose the Right Account
When selecting a checking or savings account, carefully review the fee schedule to ensure that it aligns with your financial habits and preferences.
Look for accounts with low or no minimum balance requirements, as well as fee waivers for activities such as ATM usage and overdraft protection. Some banks let you use out of network ATMs and reimburse those fees up to a certain amount.
#2 Monitor Your Account Regularly
Stay vigilant about monitoring your account balances and transaction history to avoid overdrafts and NSF fees.
Many banks offer mobile apps and online banking platforms that make it easy to keep tabs on your finances in real-time.
Set up account alerts to receive notifications when your balance drops below a certain threshold or when unusual activity occurs.
#3 Use In-Network ATMs
Whenever possible, use ATMs that are within your bank’s network to avoid out-of-network surcharges.
Consider withdrawing cash in larger amounts less frequently to minimize the number of ATM transactions and associated fees.
#4 Plan Ahead for International Travel
If you’re planning to travel abroad, research your bank’s policies regarding foreign transaction fees and currency conversion charges.
Look for credit cards and debit cards that offer favorable terms for international use, such as no foreign transaction fees and competitive exchange rates.
#5 Negotiate with Your Bank
Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself and negotiate with your bank to waive or reduce certain fees. If you’ve been a loyal customer with a strong history of responsible account management, your bank may be willing to accommodate your request, especially if you’re considering taking your business elsewhere.
You are the customer. The bank wants to keep you as their customer. Call your bank or stop by in person and ask if fees can be waived.
Most banks will waive the hidden bank fees at least once as a courtesy.
What Now?
Hidden bank fees may be sneaky and annoying, but you are not the only one dealing with them. Arming yourself with knowledge can help you eliminate or reduce these fees.
Whether it’s choosing the right account (possibly changing banks), monitoring your transactions closely, or advocating for fee waivers, every proactive step you take brings you one step closer to financial freedom.
Don’t hesitate to call your bank or stop in,
…if it is a brick and mortar establishment. Be honest and explain your situation to a representative. Are you getting charged fees because you are not maintaining a minimum balance? Tell them that and ask if there is an account that fits your profile.
Some fees can be eliminated by adding your direct deposit to the account. See if that is an option for you.
You may be using an account that is completely wrong for your needs. If the bank you are currently using doesn’t have an account that fits your profile, go ahead and look around at other banks and find the one that is best for you.
Don’t let hidden bank fees hold you back— turn those pesky charges into deposits into an investment vehicle like a High Yield Savings Account, brokerage account, automated investment account like Acorns or anywhere else where your hard-earned money is not eaten by the Hidden Fee monsters!
