9. Returned mail fee
When you move, a mail forwarding request with your post office may not be good enough for your bank. Many banks print "return service requested" on their envelopes, so your mail gets sent back to the bank if it can't be delivered, upon which a number of banks charge a fee. U.S. Bank, for example, charges a $5 fee for the second and subsequent months that a statement is undeliverable. Many regional banks also charge a fee for this: FirstBank & Trust, Bank of Arkansas, and Bank of Oklahoma charge undeliverable mail fees of $15.
"There's a potential for identity theft with returned mail, so it triggers other actions on the part of the bank that cost money," Feddis says.
These fees can add up, so make sure you update your address with your bank upon moving.
10. Human teller fee
Some banks even charge a fee for using a person to handle certain transactions. For a Bank of America eBanking checking account, there's no fee when you choose online paperless statements and make your deposits and withdrawals online or with an ATM. However, if you use a teller, you have to pay the monthly maintenance fee of $8.95. If you'd like the ability to consult a teller, seek out bank accounts that don't levy this charge. "It's easily avoided by choosing an account that aligns with your behavior," Feddis says.
Now that you are aware of these fees, you can take steps to avoid the ones putting a strain on your finances.
Clarified on 08/15/2012: An earlier version of this article misstated TD Bank's policy for paper statements. The bank offers a $1 discount on maintenance fees for certain accounts that don't receive a paper statement.
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