That's not all. The least expensive were Nebraska, Missouri, Utah, Colorado and Arkansas. Small banks appear to be better to their customers than big banks. Bounced check fees went up more at big banks than at small banks.
Credit unions offer more truly free checking deals than the traditional bank.
Only 92 or 17 percent of the 526 banks surveyed offer completely free checking accounts, with no fees and no restrictions, other than no return of canceled checks. About 45 percent of credit unions offer free checking with no restrictions. Fees to use ATMs also went up. Consumers should shop around for bank fee deals. Wherever you bank, look for free checking, or free or low-cost checking with direct deposit or by linking your checking account to another account.