Truist One Checking charges $12/month — waived with $500 in direct deposits — and charges no overdraft fees. This combination of standard big-bank fee structure with an industry-leading no-overdraft-fee policy makes One Checking competitive for customers in Truist’s Southeast/Mid-Atlantic branch footprint. Bright Banking at $5/month is the lowest-cost option with no waiver needed.
Key facts: Truist One Checking = $12/month (waived with $500 DD), no overdraft fees. Bright Banking = $5/month flat, no overdraft risk, transactions declined.
Truist Checking Account Tiers
| Account | Monthly Fee | Waiver | Overdraft Policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| One Checking | $12 | $500 DD or $500 balance | No overdraft fees |
| Bright Banking | $5 | No waiver | Transactions declined |
| Simple Checking | $5 | Various | $36 fee |
| Student Checking | $0 | Enrolled student | Varies |
Truist One Checking: The Flagship Account
One Checking is Truist’s primary consumer checking account. The $12/month fee is:
- Waived with $500+ in monthly qualifying direct deposits (payroll, government benefits, pension)
- Waived with a $500+ average daily balance
Both thresholds are low. Most working adults easily meet the direct deposit waiver.
The standout feature: No overdraft fees. Truist’s policy on One Checking:
- Small overdrafts on accounts in good standing: no fee, grace period to restore balance
- Larger overdrafts: declined, or fee-free if customer brings balance positive quickly
- Result: Most One Checking customers never pay an overdraft fee
This contrasts sharply with Chase ($34/overdraft), Wells Fargo ($35), and U.S. Bank ($36).
Standard features on One Checking:
- Visa debit card
- Zelle
- Bill pay
- Mobile check deposit
- Paper checks
- Access to 3,000+ Truist ATMs
Bright Banking: The Low-Cost Alternative
Bright Banking ($5/month, no waiver) is for customers who want:
- A fixed, predictable monthly cost with no conditions
- No overdraft risk (transactions declined when insufficient)
- No paper checks (debit/electronic only)
At $5/month, Bright Banking costs $60/year regardless of balance or deposit activity. For customers who can’t reliably direct deposit $500/month, Bright Banking is cheaper than One Checking with fees.
Bright Banking is not ideal for:
- Customers who write checks (no check-writing)
- Customers with unpredictable spending who need overdraft coverage
Simple Checking: The Legacy Option
Simple Checking ($5/month) is a more traditional account with check-writing and $36 overdraft fees. It’s a legacy account type; most new customers are better served by One Checking or Bright Banking. Check current Truist terms — this account may be evolving as Truist continues its merger integration.
Student Checking: Free for Enrolled Students
Truist Student Checking is free with proof of enrollment at an accredited educational institution. Features are similar to One Checking (with some limitations). The account typically converts to a standard account upon graduation or turning 24.
ATM Access
Truist’s own ATM network has approximately 3,000 machines, concentrated in its branch states. Out-of-network ATM fee: $3 per transaction.
Truist’s ATM network is significantly smaller than PNC (60,000+ Allpoint) or U.S. Bank (40,000+). Customers who rely heavily on ATMs outside Truist’s footprint should factor this in.
Truist One Checking vs. Chase Total Checking
| Feature | Truist One | Chase Total |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | $12 | $12 |
| DD waiver threshold | $500 | $500 |
| Overdraft fee | $0 (no fees) | $34 |
| ATMs | 3,000 branded | 16,000+ |
| Zelle | Yes | Yes |
Both accounts charge the same fee with the same DD threshold. Truist wins definitively on overdraft fees ($0 vs. $34). Chase wins on ATM network.
See also: Truist Bank review | Truist savings account | Truist fees | Truist ATM limits
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