Bank of America charges a monthly maintenance fee on most checking accounts unless you meet certain conditions

Bank of America's monthly maintenance fee is a charge that appears on your statement once per month if you don't prevent it. The fee is currently $12 on most checking accounts, though the exact amount depends on which account type you have. The bank calls this fee different names depending on the account — some accounts list it as a "monthly maintenance fee," others as a "service charge" — but they work the same way.

The fee is not automatic if you take one of several specific actions. You can avoid it by keeping a minimum balance, setting up direct deposit, or maintaining a linked savings account with a certain balance. Different account types have different requirements, which is why two people with Bank of America checking accounts might pay different fees or no fee at all.

Key Takeaways

  • Bank of America's monthly maintenance fee is $12 on most checking accounts, charged once per month unless you prevent it.
  • You can avoid the fee by maintaining a minimum balance (usually $1,500 to $2,500 depending on account type), setting up direct deposit, or linking a savings account with a required balance.
  • The fee appears as a line item on your monthly statement and reduces your account balance just like any other withdrawal.
  • If you are charged the fee by mistake or due to a bank error, you can contact Bank of America to request a reversal, though they are not required to grant it.
  • Accounts designed for students, seniors, or customers under 25 may have no monthly maintenance fee regardless of balance.

How the fee appears on your account

When the monthly maintenance fee is charged, it shows up on your statement as a separate line item, usually near the end of the month. The amount is deducted directly from your checking account balance, the same way a check or ATM withdrawal would be. If your account balance is low, the fee can push you into overdraft territory, which then triggers additional overdraft fees on top of the maintenance fee.

You will see the fee listed under different headings depending on your account type. A Bank of America Advantage Checking account lists it as "Monthly Maintenance Fee." A Bank of America Plus Checking account may show it as "Service Charge." The name changes, but the effect is identical — money leaves your account.

The four main ways to avoid paying the fee

Bank of America offers multiple paths to waive the monthly maintenance fee. You only need to meet one of these conditions; you do not have to do all of them.

Minimum balance requirement: Keep a set amount in your checking account at all times. For most accounts, this is $1,500, though some accounts require $2,500. The bank checks your balance on the last day of the month. If your balance meets the minimum on that day, no fee is charged. If it drops below the minimum even once during the month, you may still be charged the fee.

Direct deposit: Set up a recurring direct deposit to your checking account. This is typically a paycheck, government benefit, or regular transfer from another account. Bank of America requires at least one direct deposit per month. The amount does not matter — even a small transfer counts. You set this up through your employer's payroll system or through the organization sending the payment.

Linked savings account balance: Link a Bank of America savings account to your checking account and maintain a minimum balance in the savings account. The required balance varies by account type, usually $300 to $500. The bank checks this balance on the last day of the month, the same way it checks the checking account balance.

Account type: Some accounts have no monthly maintenance fee built in. Bank of America Advantage SafePass Checking, accounts for customers under 25, and some student accounts do not charge a monthly fee regardless of balance or direct deposit status. If you opened your account years ago, you may also have a grandfathered account type that no longer charges the fee.

What happens if you are charged the fee by mistake

If you believe you met one of the fee-waiver conditions but were still charged, you can contact Bank of America to dispute it. Call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or visit a branch in person. Have your statement ready and be able to explain which condition you met — for example, "I had a direct deposit on the 15th" or "My balance was $1,600 on the last day of the month."

Bank of America may reverse a single fee if you can demonstrate you met the requirement. They are not required to do so, and whether they will depends on the specific situation and the representative you speak with. If the fee was charged in error due to a system problem on the bank's side, reversal is more likely. If you simply did not meet the requirement, they may decline. Asking politely and providing clear documentation improves your chances.

How the fee compares to other banks

Bank of America's $12 monthly maintenance fee is in the middle range for large national banks. Some banks charge no monthly fee on any checking account. Others charge $15 or more. Regional banks and online banks often have lower or no monthly fees, though they may have different trade-offs — fewer branches, fewer ATMs, or higher minimum balance requirements.

The real cost of the fee depends on whether you can easily meet one of the waiver conditions. If you receive a paycheck via direct deposit, the fee costs you nothing. If you cannot maintain the minimum balance and do not have direct deposit, the fee costs $144 per year. That is worth comparing against what you would pay at another bank, especially if you are considering switching.

Fees on other Bank of America account types

Bank of America offers several checking account types, and not all of them charge the same monthly fee. The Advantage Checking account charges $12. The Advantage Plus Checking account also charges $12. The Premium Checking account charges $25 per month and is designed for customers with higher balances or more complex banking needs.

Savings accounts, money market accounts, and other product types have their own fee structures, which are separate from checking account fees. A checking account fee does not automatically apply to your savings account, and vice versa. If you have multiple accounts, each one has its own set of fee rules.

What to do if you want to avoid the fee

Before opening a Bank of America checking account, or if you already have one, decide which fee-waiver method works best for your situation. If you receive regular paychecks, setting up direct deposit is usually the easiest path — it requires one setup step and then happens automatically. If you prefer not to use direct deposit, maintaining the minimum balance is straightforward but requires discipline if your balance tends to fluctuate.

If none of the waiver methods work for you, it is worth exploring whether a different bank's account structure would save you money. Some online banks charge no monthly fee and offer competitive interest rates on savings. Some local credit unions have no monthly checking fees and may have lower minimum balance requirements. The $12 per month might seem small, but over a year it adds up, and switching accounts is possible if the fee becomes a burden.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Bank of America charge me a monthly fee if I have no money in my account?

Yes. If your account balance is zero or negative and the monthly maintenance fee is charged, the fee will push your account further into the negative, which then triggers overdraft fees. This can result in multiple fees in a single month. Contact the bank immediately if this happens, as they may reverse fees in cases of hardship.

Does the direct deposit have to be my paycheck?

No. Any recurring direct deposit counts — a paycheck, Social Security, a pension, a regular transfer from another account, or a government benefit. The amount does not matter. Even a $1 monthly transfer from another account can satisfy the direct deposit requirement.

What if my balance drops below the minimum on the last day of the month but was above it the rest of the month?

Bank of America checks your balance on the last day of the month. If it is below the minimum on that specific day, the fee is charged, even if your balance was higher earlier in the month. Plan ahead if you know you will be making a large withdrawal near the end of the month.

If I close my Bank of America account, will I still be charged the monthly fee?

No. Once your account is closed, no further monthly fees are charged. However, if the account was open on the day the fee was normally charged, you may be charged one final fee before closure. Confirm the fee status with the bank when you close the account.

Can I switch to a different Bank of America account type to avoid the fee?

Possibly. Some Bank of America account types have no monthly maintenance fee. You can visit a branch or call customer service to ask whether you are may be able to access to switch to a no-fee account type. may be able to access depends on your account history and the account type you currently have.