Citi (formerly Citibank) offers one of the most accessible fee waiver policies among major banks — any direct deposit, regardless of amount, waives the $12 monthly fee. Combined with access to 65,000+ fee-free ATMs through the Allpoint network, Citi can be cost-effective with the right setup.
However, Citi’s overdraft fee is $34 per incident (up to 4 per day), and their branch network is smaller than Chase, Bank of America, or Wells Fargo. Here’s the complete fee breakdown.
Citi Fees at a Glance
| Fee Type | Amount | How to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Maintenance Fee | $12/month | $1,500 balance OR any direct deposit |
| Overdraft Fee | $34/item | Link savings OR opt out |
| Non-Citi ATM Fee | $2.50/transaction | Use Citi or Allpoint ATMs (65,000+) |
| Wire Transfer (Domestic) | $25 outgoing, $15 incoming | Use Zelle (free) |
| Wire Transfer (International) | $35 outgoing, $15 incoming | Use Wise or similar |
| Stop Payment | $30/request | Be careful with checks |
| Cashier’s Check | $10/check | N/A |
Citi Monthly Maintenance Fees
Citi structures accounts in tiers, with fee waivers based on balance and activity.
Citi Checking Account Fees
| Account | Monthly Fee | How to Waive |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Banking | $12 | $1,500 combined average balance OR any direct deposit |
| Citi Priority | $30 | $30,000 combined balance across Citi accounts |
| Citi Gold | $30 | $200,000 combined balance with Citi |
| Citigold Private Client | $30 | $1,000,000+ with Citi |
| Access Account | $10 | Cannot be waived |
Basic Banking stands out because any direct deposit waives the monthly fee — even a $5 payment. This is far more accessible than Chase or Wells Fargo, which require $500.
Citi Priority is for customers seeking premium benefits like no ATM fees worldwide and priority customer service.
Access Account is Citi’s second-chance checking with a non-waivable $10 fee but no overdraft capability.
Citi Savings Account Fees
| Account | Monthly Fee | How to Waive |
|---|---|---|
| Citi Savings | $4.50 | $500 minimum balance OR linked to checking with any activity |
The savings fee is relatively low and easy to waive. Like other major banks, Citi’s savings rates are minimal — consider pairing with a high-yield online savings account.
Citi Overdraft Fees
Citi’s overdraft structure includes same-day grace but allows up to 4 fees daily.
| Overdraft Detail | Policy |
|---|---|
| Fee per overdraft | $34 |
| Maximum daily fees | 4 ($136 total) |
| Grace period | Until midnight same day |
| NSF (returned item) fee | $34 |
| Safety Check transfer | Free from linked savings |
How Citi Overdraft Works
- Safety Check (if enabled): Automatically transfers from linked savings at no charge
- Without Safety Check: Citi may cover the transaction and charge $34
- Same-day grace: You have until midnight to deposit funds and avoid the fee
- Daily limit: Maximum 4 overdraft fees per day ($136)
Avoiding Citi Overdraft Fees
- Enroll in Safety Check — Link a savings account for free automatic transfers
- Opt out of Overdraft Protection — Transactions will decline instead
- Set up balance alerts — Citi mobile app notifies you of low balances
- Track spending carefully — Check balances regularly
Citi ATM Fees
| ATM Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Citi ATM | $0 |
| Allpoint ATM (65,000+) | $0 |
| Other non-Citi ATM (US) | $2.50 |
| International ATM | $2.50 |
| Foreign currency ATM | $2.50 + 3% foreign transaction fee |
Citi ATM Advantage
Citi’s partnership with Allpoint gives customers access to 65,000+ fee-free ATMs — more than Chase, Bank of America, or Wells Fargo’s proprietary networks. Allpoint ATMs are located in:
- CVS Pharmacy
- Walgreens
- Target
- Costco
- Many grocery stores
Use the Allpoint locator or Citi mobile app to find free ATMs nearby.
Citi Priority ATM Benefits
Citi Priority ($30,000+ balance) customers receive:
- No Citi fees at any ATM worldwide
- Reimbursement of other banks’ ATM fees
- Higher daily withdrawal limits
Citi Wire Transfer Fees
| Wire Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Domestic outgoing | $25 |
| Domestic incoming | $15 |
| International outgoing | $35 |
| International incoming | $15 |
Citi’s wire fees are slightly lower than Chase and Wells Fargo ($30 domestic). Citi Priority and higher-tier customers may have fees waived entirely.
Free Alternatives
| Method | Cost | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Zelle | Free | Instant |
| Citi Global Transfer | Varies | 1-2 business days |
| External ACH | Free | 1-3 business days |
Other Citi Fees
Account Service Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Stop payment | $30 |
| Cashier’s check | $10 |
| Money order | $5 |
| Paper statement | $0 |
| Account research | $30/hour |
| Safe deposit box | Varies by location |
Debit Card Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Debit card replacement | Free (standard) |
| Rush debit card | $15-$35 |
| International debit purchases | 3% foreign transaction fee |
Miscellaneous Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Returned deposited item | $12 |
| Early account closure (within 90 days) | $0 |
| Legal processing | $100 |
Citi Relationship Benefits
Citi offers increasing perks based on your total relationship:
| Tier | Balance Required | Key Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Banking | N/A | Standard account |
| Citi Priority | $30,000 | No ATM fees worldwide, priority service |
| Citigold | $200,000 | Wealth management, premium rates |
| Citigold Private Client | $1,000,000+ | Dedicated advisor, exclusive products |
How to Avoid Citi Fees
For the Typical Customer
- Set up any direct deposit — Even $1 waives the $12 monthly fee
- Enroll in Safety Check — Free overdraft protection from savings
- Use Citi or Allpoint ATMs — 65,000+ free locations
- Use Zelle for transfers — Free and instant
For Low-Balance Customers
Citi is actually one of the better major banks for low-balance customers because:
- Any direct deposit waives fees (no minimum required)
- 65,000+ free ATMs through Allpoint
- $4.50 savings fee easily waived with $500 balance
For High-Balance Customers
- Consider Citi Priority at $30,000+ — No ATM fees worldwide
- Bundle investments with Citigold — Enhanced rates and service
- Track total relationship balance — Includes checking, savings, CDs, investments
Citi Fees vs. Competitors
| Fee Type | Citi | Chase | BofA | Capital One | Ally |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | $12 | $12 | $12 | $0 | $0 |
| Overdraft | $34 | $35 | $10 | $0 | $0 |
| Out-of-network ATM | $2.50 | $3.50 | $2.50 | $0 | $0 |
| Wire (domestic out) | $25 | $30 | $30 | $30 | $20 |
| Free ATM network | 65,000+ | 16,000+ | 16,000+ | 70,000+ | 43,000+ |
Citi’s standout advantages: lowest wire fees among traditional banks, largest free ATM network via Allpoint, and easiest monthly fee waiver (any direct deposit).
Is Citi Worth It?
Citi makes sense if you:
- Receive any direct deposit (fee waived regardless of amount)
- Need access to lots of free ATMs (65,000+ via Allpoint)
- Want a traditional bank with competitive wire fees
- Plan to grow into Citi Priority tier
Consider alternatives if you:
- Frequently overdraft (Bank of America charges only $10)
- Want no fees at all (Capital One, Ally)
- Need extensive branch access (Citi has fewer branches than competitors)
- Want competitive savings rates
Related Guides
- Bank Fees Comparison
- Citi Minimum Balance Requirements
- How to Avoid Bank Fees
- Best No-Fee Checking Accounts
- Best Online Banks
The content on Wealthvieu is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax, or investment advice. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. Full disclaimer · Editorial policy