To maintain these accounts and make a profit, banks charge various fees.

And you have to watch out for banks.

Weve broken down what these bank fees are and how to avoid them.

A woman looks stressed out as she looks at her receipt from the ATM.

Hereshow to choose a bank accountbased on your needs.

12 Common Bank Fees and How to Avoid Paying Them

1.

Monthly Maintenance Fees

This is one of the most common bank fees.

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Our team has compiled alist of creative waysyou can fatten your bank account this week.

This is a long list, so dont get overwhelmed.

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Some banks simply charge it regardless.

Minimum Balance Fees

Some banks require a minimum balance, but the amount can vary greatly.

Still, other banks requirenominimum balance.

Did you know?

Banks vary in how they charge for this fee.

Other banks arent so kind; theyll charge an overdraft fee for every purchase.

Many banks offer text and email notifications when your account dips below a threshold that you select.

How to avoid overdraft protection fees:Overdraft protection is an opt-in service, meaning you might decline it.

Instead, just keep an eye on your spending to avoid overdraft potential.

ATM Fees

ATMs are a blessing and a curse.

If you must withdraw from an ATM, find an ATM in your web link.

Returned Deposit Fees

Banks sometimes double dip when it comes to non-sufficient funds.

When accepting payment from friends and family, stick to cash or a payment app like Venmo.

Typical fees average about 3% of the transaction.

Frequent travelers should find a bank that offers acredit or debit card with no foreign transaction fees.

And if you cant find it, youll ultimately need to order a replacement card.

If nothing else, it will help you avoid rush shipping.

Some banks will supply you with an annual amount at no cost.

In addition, banks charge a flat rate to provide a cashiers check.

Some vendors may require you to pay with a cashiers check as assurance that the check will actually clear.

On average, cashiers checks cost around $9.

How to avoid check fees:Only use checks when there are no alternative payment methods.

Determine if this fee would be cheaper than a wire transfer, and use when appropriate.

Account Closing Fees

Some banks will also charge a fee for closing your account.

Senior staff writer Mike Brassfield contributed to this article.

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