Ten Strategies to Fight Bank Fees

Most of these fees apply only if you close the account before a stated period of time, like six months or a year. College students are particularly sensitive to such fees, says Mierzwinski, because they may open an account near school, but end up transferring to another state or finding out that there are no branches back at home.

If you've opened an account with an early closure fee, you can take out most of the funds -- while maintaining the required minimum balance, if there is one -- and wait to close the account until the term expires. You can inquire whether there are any loopholes or courtesy waivers, but the bank is not likely to lend a helping hand in ending a business relationship.

Early account closure fees for loans -- which essentially means the loan has been paid off early -- can be particularly brutal as the bank tries to recoup some of the interest it would have earned over the intended life of the loan.