You can keep a checking account open with $78, but you need to understand what happens next
A checking account with $78 in it is still a working account. Banks do not close accounts because the balance is low — they close them when there is no activity for a long time, or when the account goes negative and stays that way. The real question is not whether you can keep the account, but whether $78 is enough to cover what you actually need to do with it.
Most checking accounts have a minimum balance requirement — the smallest amount the bank wants you to keep in the account. Some accounts require $0. Others require $100, $300, or more. If your account requires a minimum and you fall below it, the bank charges a fee, usually $10 to $35 per month. That fee comes out of your $78, which means your balance drops faster.
The second thing to know is that every transaction — a debit card purchase, a check you write, a transfer you make — can trigger an overdraft fee if it pushes your balance below zero. That fee is typically $25 to $35 per transaction. One purchase you did not expect can cost you more than you have in the account.
Key Takeaways
- Check your account agreement or call your bank to find out what your minimum balance requirement is, because falling below it triggers a monthly fee.
- Every purchase or withdrawal can cause an overdraft fee if it drops your balance below zero, so you need to know your exact balance before you spend.
- If fees are eating into your balance, switching to a no-fee checking account or a bank account designed for low balances may save you money.
- Putting money into the account before you need it is the simplest way to avoid fees — even small deposits like $10 or $20 matter when your balance is this low.
Find out what your bank charges for falling below the minimum
The first step is to know the rules of your specific account. Call the customer service number on the back of your debit card or log into your online banking and look for your account agreement or terms and conditions. Search for the words "minimum balance" or "monthly maintenance fee."
Write down three numbers: the minimum balance your account requires, the fee you pay if you fall below it, and the overdraft fee if your account goes negative. If your account requires $100 minimum and charges $15 per month when you fall short, then keeping $78 costs you $15 every month until you add more money.
Some banks waive the minimum balance fee if you set up direct deposit — meaning your paycheck or benefits payment goes straight into the account. If you receive a paycheck, unemployment benefits, Social Security, or any regular payment, ask your bank whether direct deposit would eliminate the fee. Many banks do this at no cost to you.
Understand how overdraft fees work and how to avoid them
An overdraft happens when you spend more money than you have in the account. If your balance is $78 and you swipe your debit card for $85, the transaction may go through, but your account balance becomes negative $7. The bank then charges you an overdraft fee — usually $25 to $35 — which makes the balance negative $32 to $42.
The dangerous part is that overdraft fees can stack. If you make three purchases that overdraft your account on the same day, you may be charged three overdraft fees, one for each transaction. That means a $78 balance can become negative $100 or more in a single day.
The simplest way to avoid this is to check your balance before every purchase. Most banks let you check your balance for free through their app, website, or by calling a phone number. If you are not sure whether you have enough, do not spend. Wait until you have added more money to the account.
Some banks offer overdraft protection, which means if your checking account goes negative, the bank automatically transfers money from a savings account or credit line to cover it. This prevents the overdraft fee, but you pay a transfer fee instead — usually $1 to $3. If your bank offers this and you have a savings account, it may be worth turning on.
Consider switching to an account designed for low balances
If your current bank charges a monthly fee for falling below the minimum, you are losing money every month. Some banks and credit unions offer checking accounts with no minimum balance requirement and no monthly fee. These accounts are designed for people who keep smaller balances.
Online banks — banks that operate only through apps and websites, not physical branches — often have no minimum balance and no monthly fees. They also usually have no overdraft fees, though they may decline transactions instead of allowing overdrafts. Community banks and credit unions in your area may also offer low-balance accounts.
Before you switch, make sure the new bank does not charge fees for other things you use: ATM withdrawals, transfers, or customer service calls. Some banks charge $1 to $3 per ATM withdrawal if you use a machine that is not theirs. If you use ATMs often, that can add up.
Build your balance slowly with small, regular deposits
The goal is to get your balance above the minimum and keep it there. You do not need to do this all at once. Even $5 or $10 per week adds up. If you can put $10 into the account each week, you will have $40 more in a month, which moves you closer to the minimum.
If you receive any money — a paycheck, a gift, a refund — put it into the checking account instead of spending it. The account is there to hold money for you. The more you keep in it, the more room you have to make purchases without overdrafting.
If you do not have regular income right now, look for small ways to add money: selling items you no longer need, doing odd jobs, or asking family members if they can help. Even temporary help gets your balance to a safer level.
Set up alerts so you know when your balance is dropping
Most banks let you set up text message or email alerts that tell you when your balance falls below a certain amount. You can usually set this for free. For example, you could ask your bank to send you a text whenever your balance drops below $50.
These alerts give you a warning before you overdraft. When you get the alert, you know to stop spending and add money to the account before you make another purchase. This is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself when your balance is low.
Log into your online banking or call customer service to ask how to turn on balance alerts. Most banks can set this up in a few minutes.
Know what to do if you have already been charged fees
If your $78 balance is already low because fees have been charged, you have options. Call your bank and explain the situation. Some banks will reverse one or two fees as a courtesy, especially if you have been a customer for a while or if this is the first time it has happened.
You do not have to accept every fee. Banks have some flexibility, and customer service representatives can sometimes remove fees if you ask. The worst they can say is no. Be honest about what happened and ask whether they can help.
If the bank will not reverse the fees, focus on preventing future ones. Switch to a no-fee account, set up direct deposit if you can, or move your money to a bank that does not charge for low balances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a bank close my account because I have only $78 in it?
No. Banks close accounts for inactivity — usually no deposits or withdrawals for six months to a year — or for repeated overdrafts that go unpaid. A low balance alone does not trigger closure. However, if fees keep charging and your balance stays negative, the bank may eventually close it.
What happens if I try to spend more than $78?
It depends on your bank's overdraft policy. Some banks will decline the transaction and you will not be able to spend the money. Others will let the transaction go through, your balance will go negative, and you will be charged an overdraft fee. Check your account agreement to know which one applies to you.
Is there a bank account with no fees at all?
Yes. Many online banks and some credit unions offer checking accounts with no monthly fee, no minimum balance, and no overdraft fees. They make money other ways, not by charging account holders. Search for "no-fee checking account" or ask a local credit union what they offer.
If I switch banks, what happens to my $78?
Your $78 stays in your current account until you transfer it. You can move it to the new bank by setting up a transfer through online banking, visiting a branch, or calling customer service. The transfer usually takes one to three business days. Do not close the old account until the money has arrived at the new one.
Can I get my overdraft fees back if I ask nicely?
Sometimes. Banks have discretion to reverse fees, especially if it is your first time or if you have been a good customer. Call and explain what happened. Be honest and respectful. Some banks will reverse one or two fees. Others will not. It is worth asking, but do not count on it.