U.S. Bank checking accounts charge monthly fees between $4.95 and $6.95, but the requirements to waive them differ significantly between account types. Smartly Checking, the bank’s most popular account, waives its fee with any single deposit or debit card purchase in the statement period, making it one of the easiest fee waivers among major banks. Easy Checking takes a more traditional approach, requiring a $1,500 minimum daily balance or $1,000 in monthly direct deposits.
U.S. Bank Account Minimums at a Glance
| Account | Monthly Fee | Minimum to Waive | Balance Method | Other Waivers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student Checking | $0 | No fee | N/A | Ages 18–24 automatic |
| Smartly Checking | $4.95 | No balance required | N/A | Any electronic deposit or any debit purchase |
| Safe Debit Account | $4.95 | Cannot be waived | N/A | None |
| Easy Checking | $6.95 | $1,500 | Minimum daily | $1,000+ direct deposits, or age 65+ |
| Standard Savings | $4 | $300 | Minimum daily | Linked U.S. Bank checking account |
| Elite Money Market | $25 | $10,000 | Average monthly | None |
U.S. Bank Smartly Checking
Smartly Checking charges $4.95 per month. The fee is waived when either of the following occurs at least once per statement period: any electronic deposit is received into the account, or any debit card purchase is posted to the account. The dollar amounts do not matter. A $5 mobile deposit or a single purchase at a coffee shop is sufficient to waive the fee for the entire month.
For account holders aged 18 to 24, the fee is waived automatically regardless of activity. This makes Smartly Checking a practical choice for students and young adults who may not yet have regular payroll direct deposit. Customers enrolled in the U.S. Bank Smartly Savings program with a linked savings account may also qualify for additional relationship benefits based on combined balances.
Easy Checking
Easy Checking charges $6.95 per month, waived when one of the following conditions is met during the statement period. Maintaining a minimum daily balance of $1,500 waives the fee, meaning the balance must stay at or above $1,500 on every single day, not just on average. Receiving $1,000 or more in qualifying direct deposits per statement period also waives the fee. Qualifying direct deposits include payroll, Social Security, pension, and government benefit payments. Primary account holders aged 65 or older receive an automatic fee waiver.
Because Easy Checking uses minimum daily balance rather than average daily balance, a single large payment that temporarily drops the account below $1,500 will result in the fee for that month, even if the balance is well above $1,500 on all other days.
U.S. Bank Savings Account Minimums
U.S. Bank Standard Savings charges a $4 monthly fee, waived by maintaining a $300 minimum daily balance or by being the primary owner of a linked U.S. Bank checking account. The savings-to-checking link waiver makes this account effectively free for most U.S. Bank customers who already hold a checking account.
The Elite Money Market charges $25 per month, waived with a $10,000 average monthly balance. Unlike Easy Checking, the money market account uses average monthly balance rather than minimum daily balance, providing more flexibility for customers who maintain higher balances with occasional variation.
For current savings rates and account options, see the U.S. Bank savings account guide.
How to Avoid U.S. Bank Monthly Fees
For Smartly Checking, any regular banking activity satisfies the waiver. Even a single payroll deposit, a bill payment, or a small debit card purchase is enough. The only way to incur the fee is to leave the account completely dormant with no deposits or purchases for the entire statement period.
For Easy Checking, setting up direct deposit from an employer is the most reliable route if the deposit amount will consistently reach $1,000 per month. Customers whose payroll is below that threshold, or who are self-employed with variable income, may find it more practical to switch to Smartly Checking where the transaction-based waiver is far easier to meet.
For a full breakdown of U.S. Bank charges, see the U.S. Bank fees guide.
For a complete overview of U.S. Bank accounts, limits, and contact information, see the U.S. Bank complete guide.
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