Inactivity Fees: What They Are & Ways to Avoid Them
Sometimes, a financial account like a checking account will sit dormant, or unused, for an extended period, and an inactivity fee will be charged. Usually, a bank, credit union, or other financial institution will start to assess an inactivity fee after six months of no activity in the account. However, some banks may wait up to a year before applying inactivity fees to the account.
To better understand and steer clear of this annoying fee, read on. You’ll learn:
• What is an inactive account fee?
• How much are inactive account fees?
• Can you reverse an inactive account fee?
• How can you avoid inactive account fees?
What Is an Inactive Account Fee?
What is an inactivity fee and why does it get charged? Banks or other financial institutions apply inactivity fees or dormancy fees when financial accounts just sit, without money going in (deposits) or out (withdrawals). Perhaps the account holder isn’t conducting any kind of activity at all; not even checking the balance for a stretch of time.
Financial institutions can apply these inactivity fees to all sorts of accounts, like brokerage or trading accounts, checking accounts, and savings accounts. These fees are a way for banks to recoup some of the costs they incur when maintaining dormant accounts and can trigger the account holder to reactivate the account.
Recommended: What Happens if a Direct Deposit Goes to a Closed Account?
How Do Inactive Account Fees Work?
Here’s how inactive account fees work:
1. No transactions occur within the account. Let’s say you opened a savings account to fund your next vacation. But life got in the way, and you forgot about it for six months, leaving it inactive. Keep in mind, the definition of inactivity may vary by the financial institution. So, while some banks may only require you to conduct a balance verification to keep the account active, others may require, say, a bank transaction deposit or a withdrawal, to keep the account active.
2. The account is flagged for inactivity. Since money isn’t flowing in or out of the account, the financial institution flags the account. After this happens, some financial institutions may send a notification to the account holder before they begin charging a fee. The notice allows the account holder to take action before fees begin racking up. But other banks may not send a notification before they begin charging you inactivity fees. That means you are responsible for keeping tabs on your accounts so you can ensure they are up-to-date.
3. The financial institutions begin charging inactivity fees to the account. Usually, the financial institutions will begin charging an inactivity fee between several months to a year after the last transaction took place within the account.
The account will be deemed a dormant bank account if these fees go unnoticed for a few years. Every state has a different timeline for determining when accounts are dormant. For example, California, Connecticut, and Illinois considered accounts dormant after three years of inactivity. On the other hand, an account requires five years of inactivity in Delaware, Georgia, and Wisconsin to move to the dormant category.
Once the account is considered dormant, the financial insulation will reach out to let you know that if you don’t attend to the account, it must be closed and transferred to the state — a process called escheatment. But, even if your account funds end up with the state, the situation isn’t hopeless. There are several ways to find a lost bank account and hopefully retrieve any unclaimed money.
Recommended: What Is the Difference Between a Deposit and a Withdrawal?
How Much Do Inactive Account Fees Cost?
Inactive account fees can range between $5 to $20 per month, depending on the bank.
Remember, only some financial accounts have inactivity fees. However, if your account does have inactivity or dormancy fees, guidelines must be outlined in the terms and conditions of the account. Check the fine print or contact your financial institution to learn the details of these and other monthly maintenance fees.
Why Do Banks Have Inactive Account Fees?
One of the primary reasons banks charge inactivity fees is that states govern accounts considered inactive and abandoned. Usually, an account that has had no activity for three to five years is considered abandoned in the eyes of the government.
Depending on the state’s laws, the financial institution may have to turn over the funds to the Office of the State treasurer if the account is deemed abandoned. At this point, the Office of The State Treasure is tasked with finding the rightful owner of the unclaimed asset.
Since banks do not want to hand over funds, they may charge an inactivity fee as a way to keep the account active. Thus, the financial institution won’t have to give the account to the state, keeping the money right where it is.
Additionally, inactive accounts cost financial institutions money. So, to encourage the account holder to start using the account, they charge inactivity fees. While some financial institutions send inactivity notices, others may not. Therefore, if your account has been inactive for a long time, you may only notice the fee once your bank account is depleted. At this point, the financial institution may choose to close the account.
Recommended: Can You Reopen a Closed Bank Account?
Can You Reverse an Inactive Account Fee?
It never hurts to call your bank and request a reversal of inactivity fees. However, if the financial institution is unwilling or unable to reverse the fees, you may want to compare different account options to find a type of deposit account that better suits your needs.
Make sure to compare all fees and any interest rates that might be earned to identify the right account for your needs.
Tips to Avoid Inactive Account Fees
Inactive account fees are a nuisance. But, there are several ways you can avoid them entirely. Here’s how:
• Set up recurring deposits or withdrawals. Establishing a direct deposit into or out of your account can help keep it active and avoid inactive account fees.
• Review accounts regularly. Checking your financial accounts and spending habits regularly can help you keep tabs on your money and also decide if keeping a specific account open is worth it.
• Keep contact information up-to-date. If your account becomes inactive, some banks may attempt to contact you before charging you an inactive account fee. If you have the wrong information on file, you may never receive a heads-up about the additional fee.
• Move money to another account. If you don’t want to maintain an account, it’s best to move the money to an account you actively manage. Then close the account once the money has been transferred. That way, you’ll dodge fees and streamline your financial life.
Recommended: How to Remove a Closed Account from Your Credit Report
The Takeaway
When you don’t use an account, your financial institution could begin assessing an inactivity fee. You can avoid these charges by keeping watch of your bank accounts and setting up automatic deposits or withdrawals. If you discover you’re not using your account, you can empty and close it, so you don’t have to worry about extra fees.
Remember, some banks charge fees while others don’t. When you open an online bank account with SoFi, you can avoid account fees and earn a competitive APY. What’s more, our Checking and Savings account lets you do your spending and saving in one convenient place. It’s all part of banking better with SoFi.
FAQ
Can a bank shut your account down if you have an inactive account fee?
Yes; if there has been no activity on your account for a while (the timeframe will likely vary by financial institution), your bank generally has the right to close your account. Plus, it’s not required that they notify you of the closure.
Are inactivity fees the same as dormancy fees?
Yes; inactive and dormancy fees are the same. They are both applied to the account when it’s inactive for an extended time.
Besides inactivity fees, what other fees do banks often charge?
ATM fees, maintenance fees, overdraft fees, and paper statement fees are just a few fees banks levy on their bank accounts. Before you open an account, make sure you understand the type of fees that accompany your account, so there are no surprises down the road.
Photo credit: iStock/Prostock-Studio
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
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