The most frequently charged fee on checking accounts is the monthly maintenance or service fee. This fee is charged by many banks to cover the cost of maintaining your account each month and can range from $4 to $25, with an average fee of $5 to $24 per month. However, many banks will waive this fee if you keep a minimum balance in your account or set up a monthly direct deposit. Its important to note that some checking accounts don't charge any maintenance fees or require a minimum balance, so it's worth shopping around to find the best account for your needs.