Truist was formed in 2019 from the merger of BB&T and SunTrust Banks, creating the sixth-largest bank in America. With approximately 2,000 branches primarily in the southeastern states, Truist serves as the dominant regional bank from Virginia to Florida and Texas.
Truist’s fee structure is average for traditional banks: $12 monthly fee (matching Chase and Bank of America) with multiple waiver options, but a $36 overdraft fee that’s among the highest in the industry. Here’s the complete breakdown.
Truist Fees at a Glance
| Fee Type | Amount | How to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Maintenance Fee | $12/month | $1,500 balance OR $500 direct deposit OR linked product |
| Overdraft Fee | $36/item | Link savings (free) OR opt out |
| Non-Truist ATM Fee | $3.00/transaction | Use Truist ATMs |
| Wire Transfer (Domestic) | $35 outgoing, $15 incoming | Use Zelle (free) |
| Wire Transfer (International) | $50 outgoing, $15 incoming | Use Wise or similar |
| Stop Payment | $36/request | Be careful with checks |
| Cashier’s Check | $10/check | N/A |
Truist Monthly Maintenance Fees
Truist Checking Account Fees
| Account | Monthly Fee | How to Waive |
|---|---|---|
| Truist One Checking | $12 | $1,500 minimum balance OR $500+ monthly direct deposit OR linked Truist credit card, mortgage, or loan |
| Truist Basic Checking | $12 | Same as Truist One (but no paper checks) |
| Truist Confidence | $5 | Cannot be waived |
Truist One Checking is the standard account with multiple fee waiver options. Notably, linking any Truist loan product (mortgage, auto loan, credit card) waives the monthly fee — useful if you have existing Truist relationships.
Truist Basic Checking has the same fee structure but doesn’t include paper checks, making it more digital-focused.
Truist Confidence is the second-chance banking account for those with ChexSystems issues. The $5 fee cannot be waived, but the account prevents overdrafts.
Truist Savings Account Fees
| Account | Monthly Fee | How to Waive |
|---|---|---|
| Truist Savings | $5 | $300 minimum balance OR linked to Truist checking |
Truist Overdraft Fees
Truist’s $36 overdraft fee is among the highest in the industry.
| Overdraft Detail | Policy |
|---|---|
| Fee per overdraft | $36 |
| Maximum daily fees | 3 ($108 total) |
| Grace period | Until 10 PM same day |
| Overdraft Protection transfer | Fee-free from linked savings |
| NSF fee (returned item) | $36 |
How Truist Overdraft Works
- Overdraft Coverage (if enabled): Truist may cover transactions and charge $36 each
- Overdraft Protection (if linked): Automatic transfer from savings at no charge
- Grace period: Until 10 PM same day to bring account positive
- Daily limit: Maximum 3 overdraft fees per day
Avoiding Truist Overdraft Fees
- Link a savings account — Free automatic transfers
- Enable alerts — Get notified before you overdraft
- Opt out of Overdraft Coverage — Transactions decline instead
- Use Truist Confidence account — No overdraft capability
Truist ATM Fees
| ATM Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Truist ATM | $0 |
| Non-Truist ATM (US) | $3.00 |
| International ATM | $3.00 |
| Foreign currency ATM | $3.00 + 3% foreign transaction fee |
Truist ATM Network
Truist operates approximately 3,500 ATMs, concentrated in:
- North Carolina (headquarters in Charlotte)
- Virginia
- Georgia
- Florida
- Tennessee
- Texas
- South Carolina
- Alabama
- West Virginia
- Kentucky
Limited presence outside the Southeast — if you frequently travel to the West Coast, Midwest, or Northeast, ATM access will be challenging.
Truist Wire Transfer Fees
| Wire Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Domestic outgoing | $35 |
| Domestic incoming | $15 |
| International outgoing | $50 |
| International incoming | $15 |
Truist’s domestic outgoing wire fee ($35) is slightly higher than most competitors ($30).
Free Alternatives
| Method | Cost | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Zelle | Free | Instant |
| External ACH | Free | 1-3 business days |
Other Truist Fees
Account Service Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Stop payment | $36 |
| Cashier’s check | $10 |
| Money order | $5 |
| Safe deposit box | Varies by location |
| Paper statements | $3/month |
| Account research | $25/hour |
Debit Card Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Debit card replacement | Free |
| Rush replacement | $25 |
| International debit purchases | 3% foreign transaction fee |
Miscellaneous
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Returned deposited item | $12 |
| Inactive account fee | $10/month after 18 months |
| Early account closure (within 90 days) | $25 |
Truist Relationship Benefits
Truist offers increasing benefits based on your total relationship:
| Tier | Requirements | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Base | Any checking account | Standard features |
| Truist Relationship | $25,000+ balances | Rate discounts on loans |
| Truist Premier | $75,000+ balances | Premium pricing, dedicated support |
| Truist Wealth | $250,000+ | Wealth management services |
Truist Fees vs. Competitors
| Fee Type | Truist | Chase | BofA | Capital One | Ally |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | $12 | $12 | $12 | $0 | $0 |
| Overdraft | $36 | $35 | $10 | $0 | $0 |
| Overdraft protection transfer | Free | Free | Free | N/A | N/A |
| Out-of-network ATM | $3.00 | $3.50 | $2.50 | $0 | $0 |
| Wire (domestic out) | $35 | $30 | $30 | $30 | $20 |
Truist’s $36 overdraft fee and $35 wire fee are higher than most competitors. Their free overdraft protection transfers are a positive.
Former BB&T and SunTrust Customers
If you were a BB&T or SunTrust customer, your account has been converted to Truist:
- Account numbers remained the same
- Routing numbers changed to Truist routing number
- All former BB&T/SunTrust locations are now Truist
- Legacy rewards programs were merged into Truist programs
Update your direct deposit information and automatic payments with Truist’s routing numbers.
Is Truist Worth It?
Truist makes sense if you:
- Live in the Southeast (Virginia to Florida to Texas)
- Have existing BB&T or SunTrust relationships
- Can benefit from loan relationship fee waivers
- Need local branch banking services
- Rarely overdraft
Consider alternatives if you:
- Frequently overdraft (Bank of America charges only $10, Ally $0)
- Want no monthly fees (Capital One, Ally)
- Travel frequently outside the Southeast
- Want higher savings interest rates