USAA checking accounts have no minimum balance requirement and no monthly fee. Both Classic Checking and Performance Checking require $25 to open, but after that, you can maintain any balance without cost. Because USAA charges no monthly maintenance fee, the concept of a minimum balance to avoid a fee does not apply to its checking accounts. Membership is limited to military service members, veterans, and their eligible family members.
USAA Account Minimums at a Glance
| Account | Minimum to Open | Ongoing Minimum | Monthly Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Checking | $25 | $0 | $0 |
| Performance Checking | $25 | $0 | $0 |
| Savings | $25 | $0 | $0 |
| Performance Savings | $25 | $0 (higher APY at $10,000+) | $0 |
| CDs | $1,000 | $0 after opening | $0 |
No Monthly Fee, No Ongoing Minimum
USAA does not charge a monthly maintenance fee on any personal checking account. Because there is no fee, there is no minimum balance threshold to maintain. A member who deposits $25 to open Classic Checking and spends down to $3 pays nothing and does not lose account standing, provided the account remains active.
This structure is similar to online banks like Ally and Capital One. The difference is that USAA requires a $25 opening deposit rather than $0. Once funded and open, no ongoing minimum applies.
Classic Checking
Classic Checking is USAA’s standard checking account. It requires $25 to open and has no monthly fee and no ongoing minimum balance. The account provides a debit card, mobile check deposit, and access to over 60,000 preferred ATMs nationwide. USAA reimburses up to $15 per month in ATM surcharges charged by other banks when using non-USAA ATMs.
Performance Checking
Performance Checking adds interest earnings to the checking account. It also requires $25 to open and carries no monthly fee. There is no minimum balance to earn interest; the account pays interest on any balance above $0. The APY is lower than most high-yield savings accounts but provides a return on funds kept in the checking account for daily spending.
USAA Savings Accounts
USAA Savings requires $25 to open and has no ongoing minimum balance and no monthly fee. USAA Performance Savings also requires $25 to open with no monthly fee. Performance Savings earns a higher APY on balances of $10,000 or more. Below $10,000, it earns a lower base rate. Neither account has a minimum balance requirement to keep it open or to avoid a fee.
USAA CDs require $1,000 to open. Once opened, no ongoing minimum is required, but withdrawing funds before maturity triggers an early withdrawal penalty. For current rates, see the USAA savings account guide.
For a complete overview of USAA accounts, membership requirements, and benefits, see the USAA banking complete guide.
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