Good question — here’s a practical, step-by-step guide to pick a personal bank account that minimizes fees while giving you the benefits you actually need.

Quick summary

• Prioritize accounts with low (or waivable) monthly maintenance fees, reasonable overdraft/NSF policies, and the features you’ll use (ATM access, mobile deposits, bill pay, Zelle, good app).
• Compare total annual cost, not just the headline fee — include ATM, overdraft, paper statement, wire, and transaction fees.
• Choose the account type that matches how you bank (branch + cash vs mostly mobile).

What to evaluate (checklist)

1. Monthly maintenance fee
   • Is there one? How much? Can it be waived (direct deposit, minimum balance, account-linked products)?
2. Overdraft and NSF fees
   • Amount per item, daily caps, grace periods, or overdraft protection linking (savings/line of credit).
3. ATM fees
   • In-network ATM access, out-of-network fee, ATM reimbursement policy (monthly cap, domestic vs foreign).
4. Minimum balance and activity requirements
   • Minimum to open, to avoid fees, or to earn interest.
5. Interest / APY (for checking or savings)
   • If you plan to keep balances, compare APY — online banks usually pay more but weigh access tradeoffs.
6. Transaction limits and other fees
   • Excess transaction fees (savings), paper statement fee, stop-payment, incoming/outgoing wire, cashier’s checks, foreign transaction fees.
7. Mobile & digital features
   • Mobile deposit limits, bill pay, card controls, fingerprint/face sign-in, budgeting tools, early direct deposit.
8. Branch & cash access
   • Do you need teller service or frequent cash deposits? Branch-heavy banks are convenient but may cost more.
9. Customer service and security
   • 24/7 phone support, branch hours, fraud protection, FDIC insurance (or NCUA for credit unions).
10. Signup bonuses and benefits

• Welcome bonuses, debit card cashback, ATM reimbursements, or partner discounts — factor these into first-year value but focus on ongoing costs.

How to compare total annual cost (simple method)

• Annual cost = 12 × (monthly fee after waivers) + expected out-of-network ATM fees + expected overdraft/NSF charges + any other per-use fees.
• Example scenario:
  • Monthly fee $10 (waived with $500 direct deposit) → assume you can meet it so $0.
  • Out-of-network ATM fee $3 × 6 uses/year = $18.
  • One overdraft fee $35/year.
  • Paper statement fee $3 × 12 = $36.
  • Total = $89/year. Use this for each candidate bank and compare to see which is cheapest for your real behavior.

Practical tips to keep fees low

• Meet waivers: set up a small recurring direct deposit or keep a minimum balance you’re comfortable with.
• Use in-network ATMs or banks that reimburse out-of-network ATM fees.
• Turn on low-balance and transaction alerts to avoid overdrafts.
• Link a savings account for overdraft protection (often cheaper than an overdraft fee).
• Use mobile deposit and online bill pay to reduce branch visits and paper-statement fees.
• Avoid accounts with per-transaction fees if you do many transfers or teller transactions.

Benefits worth paying a little for

• Free (or generous) ATM reimbursement if you travel or use cash.
• Low or no overdraft fees or free overdraft protection.
• Competitive interest on checking or linked savings (if you keep balances).
• Good mobile app and quick customer service (can save time and stress).
• Perks you’ll actually use: debit card cashback, credit-builder features, or no-fee foreign transactions if you travel internationally.

Red flags to avoid

• High monthly fees with difficult-to-meet waivers.
• Large, frequent overdraft or NSF fees without easy protection.
• No in-network ATMs or reimbursements if you use cash often.
• Opaque fee schedule or hard-to-find disclosures (fee transparency is important).

Match by banking profile (pick what fits you)

• Mostly mobile, little cash: consider online banks with high APY, low fees, strong apps.
• Need branches and cash: community banks or big national banks with many branches; prioritize low maintenance fees or easy waivers.
• Student / low balance: student accounts or credit unions often have no fees and good terms.
• Frequent traveler: look for low foreign transaction fees and wide ATM networks or reimbursements.

Step-by-step action plan (what to do now)

1. Identify 3–4 banks or credit unions (include at least one online-only and one local branch).
2. Download fee schedule / account disclosure for each and fill in the checklist items above.
3. Run the annual-cost calculation for your typical usage.
4. Choose the best match and open the account (use direct deposit or set up the waiver conditions immediately).
5. Set up alerts, link overdraft protection, and opt out of paper statements.

Final quick rule: minimize recurring monthly fees first — they cost you every month — then eliminate avoidable per-use fees (ATM, overdraft). Pay a bit more only if the benefits (ATM reimbursements, interest, great app) match how you actually bank.

If you want, I can give a tailored shortlist and run the annual-cost calculation for your exact banking habits (monthly ATM uses, typical balance, direct deposit ability).