U.S. Bank Minimum Balance 2026 — Checking and Savings Accounts

As of September 2026, U.S. Bank’s main consumer checking account — Bank Smartly Checking — charges a $12 monthly fee with several ways to waive it, most commonly a $1,500 average balance or $1,500 in combined monthly direct deposits. U.S. Bank’s older “Easy Checking” product, which had different (lower) thresholds, is discontinued; confirm current product names and terms at usbank.com, as U.S. Bank periodically updates its account lineup.

U.S. Bank Account Minimums at a Glance

Verified against usbank.com in September 2026. Confirm current terms before opening an account.

U.S. Bank Bank Smartly Checking

Bank Smartly Checking is U.S. Bank’s primary consumer account, charging a $12 monthly fee. It’s waived by meeting any one of several conditions:

1. A $1,500 average account balance
2. $1,500 or more in combined monthly direct deposits
3. Ownership of a U.S. Bank Smartly Visa Signature Credit Card
4. Reaching Smart Rewards Gold, Platinum, or Platinum Plus tier status
5. Being 13–24 years old, or 65 and older
6. Active military status
7. Participation in U.S. Bank’s Workplace Financial Wellness Program, or ownership of an eligible U.S. Bank Small Business Checking account

The fee is also automatically waived for the first two statement periods on a new account. For account holders in the automatic age-based waiver group, the fee is waived regardless of balance or deposit activity.

Smart Rewards Tiers

U.S. Bank’s Smart Rewards program is based on combined balances and products across U.S. Bank checking, savings, CDs, IRAs, and U.S. Bancorp Investments accounts. Reaching Gold, Platinum, or Platinum Plus tier waives the Bank Smartly Checking fee and can unlock other perks. Confirm current tier thresholds and benefits at usbank.com, as U.S. Bank periodically updates these terms.

U.S. Bank Savings Account Minimums

U.S. Bank’s savings and money market account fees and waiver conditions change periodically. Confirm current minimum balances, fees, and waiver options at usbank.com before opening an account. See the U.S. Bank savings account guide for current rate context.

How to Avoid U.S. Bank Monthly Fees

For Bank Smartly Checking, setting up direct deposit that reaches $1,500 per month, or maintaining a $1,500 average balance, are the two most straightforward waiver paths for most customers. Note that this $1,500 threshold is notably higher than the $500 direct-deposit threshold at Chase or Wells Fargo, even though U.S. Bank’s headline monthly fee ($12) is lower than either of those banks’ current fees.

For customers who can’t reliably meet $1,500 in monthly activity, the Safe Debit Account or qualifying for an age-based, military, or Smart Rewards tier waiver may be more practical routes — confirm eligibility and current terms at usbank.com.

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.

Written by WealthVieu

WealthVieu researches and writes data-driven personal finance guides using primary sources including the IRS, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Reserve, and Census Bureau.