As of 2018, automated teller machine (ATM) fees were 36% higher than they were 10 years prior. Interestingly, over that time, ATM withdrawal activity has steadily waned, partly due to the higher ATM fees, and partly due to the proliferation of electronic payment apps, which have reduced the frequency of cash transactions. Fortunately, many banks still offer checking accounts featuring ATM fee rebates, and other perks, to those consumers who regularly withdraw cash.

49 Banks That Refund All ATM Fees. BANKS OFFERING LIMITED/CAPPED ATM REIMBURSEMENTS: American Bank Online $6/month with $1,000 balance Bank Direct $10/month – maximum 4 transactions, $2.50 per transaction, requires $2500 balance to waive monthly fee.

Key Takeaways

• Automated teller machine (ATM) fees have 36% over the decade anding in 2018.
• ATM withdrawal activity has steadily decreased, due to the higher ATM fees coupled with the proliferation of electronic payment apps.
• Many banks still offer enticing checking account features, that may include free mobile banking, mobile paying, and a free first set of check.

Banks with Capped Reimbursements

PNC

PNC Financial Services Group Inc. (NYSE: PNC) offers a $20 reimbursement on select checking accounts, per statement period. This account carries a $25 monthly service charge that can be waived, if certain conditions are met. Furthermore, the account earns interest on balances of $2,000 or more. PNC operates a limited network of brick and mortar establishments.

Ally

Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) offers an interest-bearing checking account with live 24/7 customer service. In addition to reimbursing up to $10 in domestic ATM fees, per statement cycle, Ally offers free debit MasterCards, free bill paying, and mobile deposit.

BankFive

BankFive offers interest-bearing checking accounts with no monthly maintenance fees. The first order of checks are free, as are mobile banking, and bill paying capabilities. Non-network location ATM fees are reimbursed up to $10 per statement cycle.

Banks with Free Domestic ATM Use

E-Trade

E-TRADE Financial Corporation (NASDAQ: ETFC) offers checking accounts with unlimited domestic ATM fee refunds, regardless of the account balance. There are no monthly fees on the account, which offers features like online bill pay, free Visa debit cards, unlimited transactions, and the free first order of checks. E-Trade operates a narrow branch office network throughout the United States.

Fidelity

Fidelity Investments offers a cash management account described as 'a traditional checking account without the bank fees'. There are no monthly fees or minimum balances, and all ATM fees are automatically reimbursed nationwide, with a 1% foreign transaction fee. Free bill pay, mobile check deposit, and checks are also included. Fidelity operates a limited branch network across the United States.

Axos Bank

Axos Bank (formerly Bank of Internet USA) boasts a rewards checking account with no monthly fees, minimum balances or overdraft fees. Customers can earn up to 1.25% interest by meeting certain goals, and they can be reimbursed for an unlimited number of domestic ATM withdrawals. Free online bill pay, mobile deposit, and mobile banking are also available, but foreign transaction fees apply.

IncredibleBank

IncredibleBank, a division of River Valley Bank, offers an interest-bearing checking account with automatically reimbursed external ATM fees. A Visa check card, online bill pay and mobile banking are all included. A monthly fee of $15 is required for balances averaging less than $300, for customers who decline the paperless banking option.

TIAA Bank

TIAA Bank has a highly competitive interest-bearing checking account. Unlimited ATM fees from domestic banks are included with the minimum balance of $5,000. Free bill pay, mobile deposit and Apple Pay-supported debit cards are included. TIAA has branch offices in Florida, and all accounts are available online.

Banks with Free Domestic and International ATM Use

First Republic

First Republic Bank (NYSE: FRC) offers an ATM rebate checking account, where customers may access their money worldwide, where any third-party fees are reimbursed. Interest can be earned without a monthly account fee on balances of $3,500 or more. Online banking, bill pay and the free first order of checks are included.

Charles Schwab

The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE: SCHW) has a high-yield investor checking account that tops the list for the best checking accounts with reimbursed ATM fees. Schwab offers unlimited reimbursement for any ATM fees incurred worldwide. Free bill pay, standard checks, a Visa debit card, mobile deposit and 24/7 U.S.-based customer service are all included. As of 2018, individuals with this account earn a 0.35% variable interest rate on any balances they maintain.

[Important: Unless customers opt for overdraft protection, they may be subject to charges of $10 and up, if they bounce a check, with banks that don't offer free protection.]

Avoid ATM Charges

It’s frustrating to pay ATM fees to get your own money. Not only do you pay fees to the ATM operator, but your bank may add charges as well. Those costs add up throughout the year, and that means you have less to spend on the things that matter. So, how do you find free ATMs that help you keep more in your bank account?

Start With Your Bank

The simplest solution is to visit your bank or credit union when you need to withdraw cash, although that’s not always the most convenient option.

Your bank’s ATM should be free for you to use, but customers from other banks most likely have to pay fees at the same machines. Whenever possible, plan ahead and withdraw cash that you’ll need for upcoming events while you’re at your bank. You’ll save money, and you’ll save a trip: There’s no need to get cash repeatedly (every few days) and pay foreign ATM fees.

Your bank might not have ATMs located where you need them, but there are several other ways to pull money out of ATMs for free.

If you can’t use your bank’s ATM, find out if your bank offers ATM fee rebates. Some banks refund any charges that ATM owners add to your withdrawal. Fee reimbursements are a standard feature on popular cash management accounts, and some local banks and credit unions also offer rebates.

CO-OP Network for Credit Union Members

If you belong to a credit union that's part of the CO-OP network, you have access to almost 30,000 free ATMs nationwide. Many of those ATMs are located at credit union branches, but you can also find them at retail outlets like Costco and 7-Eleven. In addition to free ATM access, credit unions often allow you to walk into a branch and work with a teller through “​shared branching.” If your credit union is part of the CO-OP Network (and you can find an office of another shared branching member), take advantage of that service.

To learn more, visit co-opcreditunions.org. There, you can search for ATMs nearby, as well as get free ATM locator apps.

Your Card’s Network

Banks With Free Atm Fees

Most debit cards are part of an ATM network that allows you to make free withdrawals. Whether you bank with a megabank or a local institution, banks and credit unions often team up with card networks. Using an ATM for free is often just a matter of finding ATMs in the right network.

To find out which network your bank uses, just ask. Your bank’s app or website should also point you in the right direction with an “ATM Locator” or similar tool. If your bank is no help, check your debit or ATM card: On the back of the card, you should find logos for various card networks (or you might not, depending on your card). Those logos indicate which networks to search for in your area.

Several networks are listed below. If one of the names matches the logo on your card, head to their website for more details and to use their ATM search tool. Many of these sites also offer apps that can direct you to the nearest free ATM with GPS-enabled devices that track your location. Note that some networks also list stores that allow you to get cash back on purchases. You can always make a small purchase if there’s something you need or if it’ll cost less than a nearby ATM.

Some of the major networks include:

Not free? As you use ATM locators, keep in mind that some of them may show ATMs will cost money to use. In some cases, the ATM is free (it won’t add a surcharge), but your bank will charge you for using a “foreign” ATM. To avoid foreign ATM charges, look for banks that allow you to withdraw anywhere, fee-free. Some online bank accounts, including Capital One 360, don’t charge foreign ATM fees.

Alternatives to the ATM

If you can’t find a free ATM nearby, there may be other ways to avoid charges, including going completely cashless.

Cash back: You might be able to get cash back from a store when you make a purchase with your debit card and use your PIN. Just be sure not to spend money on things you don’t need. With a little bit of planning, you can get the cash you need for the next few days while you stock up on food at the grocery store.

Pay with plastic: You have your debit card handy, so why not use it for spending instead of paying with cash? If you’re with a group, you can even pay for others’ expenses and have them repay you in cash (which saves you a trip to the ATM). Alternatively, everybody can pay their share with free P2P payment services.

Keep in mind that swiping your card everywhere you go may be riskier than using your card at ATMs. When you use your card, you expose your card information to a machine (which can be hacked). However, you generally have some protection as a consumer, and even bank ATMs can be compromised with skimming devices and hidden cameras.

Using a credit card is typically safer for everyday spending—just be sure to pay it off every month.

Banks With Free Atm Use

• Start With Your Bank
• Your Card’s Network