Especially when you plan on opening an online checking account, it is important to look for a bank that charges minimal or no customer fees. Many banks charge high fees on maintenance, which varies from one bank to another. Even if you do not get an account with zero charges, some banks also provide waiver services on monthly maintenance fees. Banks often offer such services to customers who make direct deposits or use a certain amount via their debit cards. If you find an account with that feature, you can enjoy monthly fee waivers on a regular basis. Consider an account with low minimum balance Many commercial banks require their customers to maintain a minimum balance on their accounts. This amount varies from one bank to another, with some taking as high as £10,000. However, it is also possible to find a bank that offers low minimum balance requirements. Better still, some banks do not have that requirement for their customers, and that would be the best alternative of all. Look for a bank with a large ATM network When you have to walk long distances to reach your bank, you might be forced to use another banking institution’s ATM. This is often costly because both your bank and the competitor will charge you for using the ATM machine. The best solution, therefore, is to look for a bank with a wide ATM distribution to avoid using a competitor’s service. Consider opening an interest bearing account Especially if you are opening a checking account, it is important to have an account that can earn you interest on your deposits. While some accounts do not have that service, the customers of the banks that do appreciate the interest no matter how small the rate is. Create strong passwords Online accounts are prone to hacking and other fraudulent activities. If you create a weak password, your account can be easily compromised. Use a mixture of upper and lower case letters and numbers to create a stronger password that hackers will have more difficulty in discovering.