You don't have to bypass traditional banking to get a good deal. These nationally available bank and credit union accounts have no monthly fee, no minimum-balance requirement and no requirements for direct deposit or other transactions. Plus, some of them pay interest.
Alliant Credit Union Free Checking includes access to 80,000 surcharge-free ATMs. Customers outside the credit union's jurisdiction can join by making a $10 donation to Foster Care to Success and depositing $5 in a savings account.
Ally Bank Interest Checking pays 0.40% on balances of less than $15,000 and 0.75% on larger balances. Fees are minimal; you won't be charged to order checks, receive a wire transfer or obtain a cashier's check. Ally reimburses withdrawal charges from ATM owners.
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Capital One 360 Checking pays between 0.20% and 0.85%, depending on your balance, and includes free access to more than 38,000 Allpoint ATMs in the U.S.
Balances of less than $250,000 in Incredible Bank checking accounts earn 0.88% interest (0.45% for higher balances), and Incredible reimburses owner ATM fees. Make sure to sign up for electronic statements to avoid a $15 monthly charge for receiving paper statements.
USAA Secure Checking reimburses up to $15 per month in ATM charges from other banks. You can make up to ten withdrawals from non-USAA ATMs monthly with no charge from USAA ($2 per withdrawal thereafter).
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