Ugh. So, with the changeover from Republic to Citizens, they decided to give me an account that was "as close as possible" to my account at Republic.

Republic:
- Benefit package including free regular checks, free this, free that, and so forth.
- 0.20% interest if above minimum balance
- $6 Membership fee (waived if above minimum balance)
- $500 minimum balance

Citizens:
- $6/month for benefit package including free regular checks, free this, free that, and so forth.
- 0.25% interest
- $15/month maintenance fee if below minimum balance
- $1000 minimum balance

I almost NEVER have $1000 in my checking account (that's what my 4.5% interest savings account is for), so I was hit with $21 in fees this month. At Republic, I would only be charged anything if I had under $500; if I had over $500, I earned interest. As for free checks, I couldn't care less. I got them with the account at Republic, but now that there is an extra fee for that "benefit", I'm dropping the option like a hot potato. Who needs free checks when they are still on the first BOOK after 2 years? The box of checks I got when I started my account should be good for another twenty years at this rate. After a look at my options, I am switching to Citizen's crappiest account:

- No free checks
- No interest
- No fees

All I'm looking for is the ability to deposit money, write checks, use my debit card, and transfer money to/from my savings account, so that fits my needs. I'll probably also set up an Orange Checking account with ING Direct, which will get me 4% interest, and link it to my Citizens account so I can make cash and personal check deposits without mailing cashier's checks to St. Paul.

EDIT: I now have an online-only checking account from ING Direct, that gets 4% interest and gives me a Mastercard debit/ATM card, online bill-pay, and paper checks that I fill out online and have mailed for me. No fees, no minimum balance, but no brick-and-mortar locations, and it has to be linked to an existing checking account at another bank (so I'm keeping my Citizens account).