Many consumers will find themselves with an unpleasant surprise this month: up to 60 euros less in their checking account. The reason is the maintenance fee that some banks are going to charge clients who do not comply with their conditions, according to an analysis of banks that charge fees in April prepared by the financial comparator HelpMyCash.com.
Who are the most affected? Mainly, those who do not have their income deposited into the bank, those who barely use their cards or do not have any investment products contracted.
On April 30, CaixaBank will charge Day-to-Day customers who do not comply with the conditions of its program. Those who have the least relationship with the bank will have to pay up to 60 euros.
Consumers who have a payroll of at least 600 euros, a pension of at least 300 euros or more than 20,000 euros in investment products will pay 15 euros this quarter. And those who, in addition to meeting one of the previous requirements, have three direct debit receipts or make three card payments each quarter, will pay zero euros. On the other hand, those who do not meet any of the above requirements will have to pay 60 euros.
CaixaBank charges the maintenance fee every three months, but Banco Santander does it every month. However, in practice, they charge the same: up to 240 euros per year for account maintenance, HelpMyCash points out.
In the case of Santander, its clients have to pay a monthly commission of 20 euros if they do not meet its requirements. And which are they? There are several alternatives. For example, to stop paying commissions it would be useful to direct a payroll of at least 600 euros and, in addition, have three direct debit receipts per quarter or make six card operations every three months.
The previous conditions do not apply to the Santander Online Account, which is separate. This digital account is always free and has no conditions. It does not charge maintenance fees, neither for issuing SEPA transfers nor for the debit card.
This is not an alternative for bank clients who are currently paying commissions, since only new clients can contract it. But it is an option for clients of other entities who are looking for an account without commissions and without ties. Furthermore, if a payroll of at least 600 euros is direct deposited, the bank gives 300 euros gross (permanence of two years).
The third entity on this list is ING, which now charges a commission of three euros per month to Payroll Account holders who do not receive a payroll, pension or unemployment benefit each month or a transfer of at least 700 euros from another bank. .
The orange bank offers an alternative, the NoCuenta Account, which has no fees or conditions and includes a free virtual debit card that can be used with Apple Pay and Google Pay to pay for purchases and withdraw free money at the bank’s ATMs. In addition, this account without payroll includes protection insurance for online purchases of more than 30 euros. If the customer does not receive their order or it arrives in poor condition, they can get their money back. The NoCuenta Account only accepts a balance of up to 30,000 euros.
New clients of the bank can open it, but also those who already have a Payroll Account and do not meet its requirements. ING allows you to convert the Payroll Account into a Non-Account Account, maintaining the same IBAN code, direct debit receipts and scheduled transfers, explains HelpMyCash. Additionally, the debit card can continue to be used until it expires.
Alternatives to avoid commissions:
Not everyone can or wants to meet these conditions. For them, there are only two options: pay the commission or change banks.
For those interested in changing banks, HelpMyCash suggests options such as the BBVA Online Account, or that of Banco Sabadell, EVO or Revolut.
