USAA checking accounts have no minimum balance requirement and no monthly fee. Both Classic Checking and Performance Checking require only $25 to open — after that, you can maintain any balance (including $0) with no penalty. This makes USAA one of the most accessible banks for military members at any income or savings level.
USAA Minimum Balance by Account
| Account | Minimum to Open | Ongoing Minimum | Monthly Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Checking | $25 | $0 | $0 |
| Performance Checking | $25 | $0 | $0 |
| USAA Savings | $25 | $0 | $0 |
| Performance Savings | $10,000 | $0 (rate tiers apply) | $0 |
| USAA CDs | $1,000 | N/A (fixed term) | $0 |
No Monthly Fee — No Minimum Balance Needed
Because USAA charges no monthly maintenance fee on any checking account, the concept of a “minimum balance to avoid fees” doesn’t apply. This is unlike traditional banks where maintaining a balance below a threshold (typically $500–$1,500) triggers a monthly charge:
| Bank | Monthly Fee | Minimum Balance to Waive |
|---|---|---|
| USAA | $0 | N/A — no fee |
| Chase Total Checking | $12 | $1,500 |
| Bank of America Plus | $12 | $1,500 |
| Wells Fargo Everyday | $10 | $500 |
| TD Bank Convenience | $15 | $100 |
| Navy Federal (EveryDay) | $0 | N/A — no fee |
On a $200 average checking balance, USAA saves a member $12/month ($144/year) compared to Chase or Bank of America, and $10/month ($120/year) compared to Wells Fargo — with no conditions, no direct deposit requirements, and no minimum balance to maintain.
The $25 Opening Deposit
While there’s no ongoing minimum balance, USAA does require a $25 opening deposit for checking and savings accounts. This is:
- A one-time requirement at account opening only
- Can be funded by a transfer from another bank account
- Does not need to remain in the account — you can withdraw it immediately after opening
- Not a “minimum balance” in the traditional fee-related sense
This $25 requirement is simply an account activation threshold, not an ongoing restriction.
USAA Savings: Rate Tiers, Not Fee Tiers
USAA Savings has no minimum balance fee, but it does have rate tiers — meaning your balance affects your interest earnings, not your fee exposure:
| Balance | USAA Savings APY |
|---|---|
| $0–$9,999 | 0.01%–0.25% |
| $10,000+ (Performance Savings) | Up to 1.70% |
On a $5,000 balance at USAA Savings (0.25%): $12.50/year On the same $5,000 at Ally Bank (4.00%+): $200/year
For primary savings with meaningful balances, online banks like Ally or Capital One 360 Performance Savings offer substantially higher yields. USAA savings is best used as a linked companion to USAA checking for overdraft protection and convenience.
CDs: $1,000 Minimum, Competitive Rates
USAA Share Certificates (CDs) require a $1,000 minimum opening deposit — higher than Ally ($0 minimum) but competitive with most banks:
| Term | USAA CD APY |
|---|---|
| 3 months | ~2.50% |
| 6 months | ~4.00% |
| 12 months | Up to 4.50% |
| 24 months | ~3.75% |
| 36 months | ~3.50% |
USAA CD rates are competitive and available with no monthly fees. The $1,000 minimum is accessible for most members with established savings.
Related Guides
- USAA fees 2026 — complete fee schedule, zero monthly fees, zero overdraft
- USAA ATM limits 2026 — $600–$1,000/day, 100,000+ preferred ATMs
- USAA customer service 2026 — 1-800-531-8722, 24/7
- USAA vs Navy Federal 2026 — fee-free banking compared
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