Why did I get charged a MAINTENANCE FEE* if I've never seen it before?

Bank Maintenance Fee may have ended a promotional fee waiver, changed your account tier, or your balance may have dipped below the required minimum for the first time, triggering the MAINTENANCE FEE* automatically.

Why does the charge say MAINTENANCE FEE* instead of Bank Maintenance Fee?

Banks often use abbreviated or standardized billing descriptors on statements. MAINTENANCE FEE* is a common shorthand that Bank Maintenance Fee uses to label standard account servicing charges.

Can I get a refund on the MAINTENANCE FEE* charge?

Yes, Bank Maintenance Fee will often reverse a MAINTENANCE FEE* as a one-time courtesy, especially if you're a loyal customer or if this is your first offense. Call customer service and ask politely.

How do I cancel or avoid future MAINTENANCE FEE* charges from Bank Maintenance Fee?

You can avoid the MAINTENANCE FEE* by maintaining the required minimum balance, enabling direct deposit, or asking Bank Maintenance Fee to move you to a fee-free account type.

How do I permanently stop the MAINTENANCE FEE* from appearing on my statement?

Work with Bank Maintenance Fee to qualify for a fee waiver through direct deposit or minimum balance requirements, or switch to a no-fee checking or savings account that doesn't carry the MAINTENANCE FEE*.

Home›Browse Charges›Banking›MAINTENANCE FEE*

MAINTENANCE FEE* Charge (What It Is + Is It Legit?)

✓ Legitimate

The "MAINTENANCE FEE*" charge is from Bank Maintenance Fee. Monthly bank account maintenance fee.

🌍 US🕐 7 min read📅 Updated May 22, 2026

Bank Maintenance Fee

Monthly bank account maintenance fee.

MAINTENANCE FEE*

What is this charge?

Banks typically truncate their internal fee descriptions when posting charges to your statement, which is why you may see "MAINTENANCE FEE*" rather than the full label "Bank Maintenance Fee." The asterisk following the descriptor is a common formatting convention used by US banking systems to flag recurring or automated charges, helping distinguish them from one-time transactions. If you bank with an institution that charges a monthly $12.00 account maintenance fee, this shortened descriptor is simply how that recurring fee gets transmitted through the bank's internal billing infrastructure to your statement.

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How to handle this charge

Verify the MAINTENANCE FEE* charge

Log into your bank account and confirm that the MAINTENANCE FEE* charge matches the monthly maintenance fee outlined in your account agreement with Bank Maintenance Fee. Check the amount charged against what was disclosed when you opened your account.

Review your account terms with Bank Maintenance Fee

Visit google.com to access Bank Maintenance Fee's website and locate your account's fee schedule. Many banks waive the monthly MAINTENANCE FEE* if you meet certain conditions such as maintaining a minimum balance or setting up direct deposit.

Check if you qualify for a fee waiver

Contact Bank Maintenance Fee directly and ask a representative whether your account qualifies for a MAINTENANCE FEE* waiver. Explain your account usage and ask about switching to a fee-free account tier if one is available to you.

Track future MAINTENANCE FEE* charges

Set up account alerts through Bank Maintenance Fee so you are notified each time the MAINTENANCE FEE* is applied to your statement. This helps you monitor whether the fee amount changes and ensures you are always aware of the recurring monthly cost.

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Quick fraud check

No, this is a legitimate charge from Bank Maintenance Fee. However, if you did not authorize this charge or cancelled your subscription, you may be eligible for a refund.

Is the MAINTENANCE FEE* Charge Legitimate or Fraud?

The MAINTENANCE FEE* charge appearing on your bank statement is most commonly a legitimate fee assessed by your bank or financial institution, often labeled under Bank Maintenance Fee. This fee is typically charged when account conditions — such as minimum balance requirements or activity thresholds — are not met during a billing cycle. However, it's worth verifying the charge to rule out unauthorized billing or a fee you may be eligible to have waived.

Your bank account fell below the required minimum balance, triggering the MAINTENANCE FEE* automatically
Bank Maintenance Fee assessed a monthly or annual account servicing charge per your account agreement
A fee tier change occurred, such as a promotional waiver expiring on your Bank Maintenance Fee account
In rare cases, the MAINTENANCE FEE* could indicate an unauthorized charge or account error worth disputing

How to Verify the MAINTENANCE FEE* Charge

1
Check your account agreement
Log into your Bank Maintenance Fee account and review your fee schedule or account terms to confirm whether a MAINTENANCE FEE* is listed as an applicable charge for your account type.
2
Search your email for notices
Look for fee notification emails from Bank Maintenance Fee, as most banks are required to notify customers before or when a MAINTENANCE FEE* is applied to their account.
3
Review your balance history
Check whether your account dipped below the minimum balance threshold during the billing period, as this is the most common trigger for a MAINTENANCE FEE* from Bank Maintenance Fee.
4
Check for account type changes
Confirm that your Bank Maintenance Fee account type hasn't changed recently — account downgrades or expired promotions can unexpectedly activate the MAINTENANCE FEE* billing.
5
Contact your bank directly
Call the number on the back of your card or visit a branch and ask a representative to explain the specific reason the MAINTENANCE FEE* was charged to your Bank Maintenance Fee account.

How to Dispute a MAINTENANCE FEE* Charge

1
Act within 60 days
To dispute the MAINTENANCE FEE* charge, initiate your claim within 60 days of the statement date, as most banks limit the window for fee dispute eligibility.
2
Contact Bank Maintenance Fee first
Call or message Bank Maintenance Fee customer service directly and politely request a waiver or reversal of the MAINTENANCE FEE*. First-time waivers are often granted, especially for long-standing customers.
3
File a formal dispute
If Bank Maintenance Fee refuses to reverse the MAINTENANCE FEE*, file a formal written dispute through your bank's complaint process or submit a complaint via the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
4
Request account restructuring
Ask Bank Maintenance Fee to switch your account to a fee-free tier or one where the MAINTENANCE FEE* can be waived by meeting simpler requirements, such as setting up direct deposit.

Tips for Managing Bank Maintenance Fee Charges

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Set a low-balance alert so you're notified before triggering a MAINTENANCE FEE* on your account.

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Read your Bank Maintenance Fee account agreement annually to stay aware of any fee schedule changes.

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Set up direct deposit into your Bank Maintenance Fee account — many banks waive MAINTENANCE FEE* for direct deposit customers.

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Track your billing cycle dates so you can ensure your balance meets thresholds before the MAINTENANCE FEE* assessment date.

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Ask Bank Maintenance Fee about fee-free account upgrades if you're repeatedly charged the MAINTENANCE FEE*.

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Use WhatIsThisCharge.net to identify related charges that may appear alongside the MAINTENANCE FEE* on your statement.

ℹ️ Note

In most cases, the <strong>MAINTENANCE FEE*</strong> charge is a standard, legitimate fee applied by <strong>Bank Maintenance Fee</strong> when account conditions aren't met — and many banks will waive it upon request, especially for customers in good standing.