[TheSpiceIsLife]

Your comment would have been better if you had linked to examples rather than accusing the parent of spreading FUD.

Maybe you're a student or have multiple products (different types of accounts, credit cards, home loans, term deposits) with your bank?

I can't get a $0 / month account for everyday banking from my bank because I have a special rate home loan. They have a savings account that's $0 / month but you can only transfer from / to it via a regular $4 / month account.

[morgante]

Here are my various no-fee checking accounts:

* http://content.schwab.com/web/retail/public/get-started/chec... - amazing checking account, reimburses all ATM fees

* https://www.capitalone.com/bank/360checking-guide/

* https://www.aspiration.com/summit/

I do have a few other ones but they're based on relationship banking. All of the above have no fee and no minimum.

[kevan]

Step 2 in this analysis: Would you be able to get any of those accounts with a low credit score? I'm pretty sure when I opened my Schwab checking account they ran a credit check.

[morgante]

I've had most of those accounts since I had virtually no credit (and a low/nonexistent credit score). That being said, if you have a negative Chexsystems report they'll be hard to get.

I'm not trying to say the unbanked don't have barriers. I just didn't like the assertion that free checking is impossible, since that's what leads to even people on HN paying needless maintenance fees.

[lazyasciiart]

Schwab runs a credit check for that account because they also open a brokerage account for you that allows you some ability to float funds.

[dajohnson89]

Bank of America customer here. Not aware of any fee being applied to my checking account.