Huntington Bank: Customer-First Midwest Banking
Huntington Bank has earned recognition as one of the most customer-friendly regional banks in the Midwest, serving customers through 1,000+ branches across 11 states with innovative features like 24-Hour Grace overdraft protection and Asterisk-Free Checking. Founded in 1866, Huntington combines traditional community banking values with modern customer-centric policies that prioritize fairness and transparency in banking.
Huntington's Customer-First Advantages:
- 24-Hour Grace period to avoid overdraft fees
- Asterisk-Free Checking with truly no monthly fees
- Standby Cash overdraft alternative up to $1,000
- Fair Play Banking with transparent policies
- Strong Midwest presence with community focus
Bank Overview
Founded in 1866 and headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Huntington Bank has built a reputation as one of the most customer-friendly banks in the Midwest, known for innovative policies that put customer needs first and transparent banking practices.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1866 |
| Headquarters | Columbus, OH |
| Assets | $180+ billion |
| Branches | 1,000+ (11 states) |
| ATMs | 1,500+ |
| Customers | 11+ million |
| FDIC Member | Yes |
| Primary Markets | OH, MI, PA, IN, IL, KY, WV, WI, MN, CO, UT |
Account Options & Services
Personal Checking Accounts
| Account Type | Monthly Fee | Fee Waiver Options | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asterisk-Free Checking | $0 | Always free (no conditions) | Truly free checking with no hidden fees |
| Premier Checking | $25 | $25,000 balance OR relationship requirements | Interest-bearing with premium benefits |
| Relationship Money Market | $25 | $25,000 balance | Higher rates with check writing privileges |
Asterisk-Free Promise: Unlike many "free" checking accounts with hidden conditions, Huntington's Asterisk-Free Checking truly has no monthly fees, minimum balances, or hidden requirements.
Savings Account Options
- Relationship Savings 0.01% APY, $4 monthly fee (waivable with $300 balance)
- Relationship Money Market Tiered rates up to 0.05% APY
- CDs 91 days to 6 years, competitive promotional rates
- HuntingtonUp Automatic savings program with round-up features
- IRA Options Traditional and Roth IRAs with investment choices
Asterisk-Free Checking Philosophy
Commitment to truly transparent banking:
- No monthly fees: Ever, for any reason
- No minimum balance: Start with any amount
- No hidden requirements: No direct deposit or transaction minimums
- Full features: Online banking, mobile app, debit card included
- 24-Hour Grace: Overdraft protection included
Customer-Friendly Banking Features
24-Hour Grace Overdraft Protection
Industry-leading overdraft protection giving customers time to fix mistakes:
- 24-Hour Window Avoid overdraft fees by making a qualifying deposit
- Automatic Application No enrollment required, works automatically
- Multiple Options Direct deposit, cash deposit, or transfer to cover shortage
- Daily Cutoff Midnight deadline for qualifying deposits
- Peace of Mind Second chance to avoid costly fees
Standby Cash Overdraft Alternative
Credit line alternative to traditional overdraft fees:
- Up to $1,000: Higher limit than most cash advance products
- No overdraft fees: Use Standby Cash instead of incurring fees
- Affordable rates: Lower cost than traditional overdraft fees
- Qualification-based: Available to eligible customers with good standing
- Automatic activation: Can be set up to activate when needed
Customer Protection: Standby Cash provides a more affordable alternative to overdraft fees, helping customers avoid the cycle of expensive overdraft charges.
Fair Play Banking Policies
- Transparent fees: Clear, upfront disclosure of all charges
- Customer-first policies: Policies designed to benefit customers
- No surprise charges: Advance notice of any fee changes
- Reasonable policies: Fair terms and conditions
- Customer feedback integration: Policies informed by customer input
Fee Structure & Interest Rates
Banking Fees
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Overdraft Fee | $38 | Waived with 24-Hour Grace if corrected |
| Non-Huntington ATM | $3 | Waived for Premier customers |
| Wire Transfer | $25 domestic / $50 international | Discounts for Premier customers |
| Stop Payment | $35 | Per item |
| Paper Statement | $2 | Free with Asterisk-Free and Premier accounts |
| Foreign Transaction | 3% | Standard international fee |
Current Interest Rates
- Relationship Savings 0.01% APY on all balances
- Money Market 0.01% - 0.05% APY (tiered rates)
- CDs 0.30% - 4.50% APY depending on term
- Premier Checking 0.01% APY (interest-bearing checking)
Rate Perspective: While Huntington's deposit rates are modest, their customer-friendly policies and fee structure often provide more value than higher rates at less accommodating banks.
Digital Banking Platform
Huntington Mobile Banking
Comprehensive mobile platform with customer-friendly features:
- Mobile Check Deposit Deposit checks with funds availability information
- 24-Hour Grace Alerts Notifications when 24-Hour Grace is activated
- Zelle Integration Send money instantly to friends and family
- HuntingtonUp Automatic savings and goal tracking
- Card Management Control debit card security and limits
- Bill Pay Schedule and manage payments
Online Banking Features
- Account dashboard: Complete view of all accounts and balances
- Standby Cash management: View and manage credit line
- HuntingtonUp tracking: Monitor automatic savings progress
- Investment access: Integration with Huntington Investment Company
- Financial wellness tools: Budgeting and planning resources
Branch & ATM Network
Strong Midwest presence with focus on customer accessibility:
| Region | States | Branch Density |
|---|---|---|
| Core Midwest | OH, MI, PA, IN, IL | Very High |
| Regional Markets | KY, WV, WI, MN | Medium |
| Western Expansion | CO, UT | Growing |
- 1,000+ branches: Extensive coverage in core markets
- 1,500+ ATMs: Convenient access throughout footprint
- Extended hours: Many branches open late and weekends
- Community focus: Branches designed for local market needs
Business Banking Solutions
| Account Type | Monthly Fee | Transaction Limit | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Checking | $9 | 200 transactions | Small businesses |
| Business Development Checking | $20 | 500 transactions | Growing businesses |
| Commercial Checking | $50 | 1,000 transactions | Larger businesses |
- Business lending: SBA loans and commercial financing
- Merchant services: Payment processing and POS solutions
- Cash management: Treasury services and payment solutions
- Business credit cards: Rewards and cash back programs
- Economic development: Supporting regional business growth
Customer Service & Support
- 24/7 Customer Service Phone support available around the clock
- Branch Network 1,000+ locations with extended hours
- Live Chat Support Online chat during business hours
- Customer Advocacy Dedicated team for resolving customer issues
- Community Banking Local market knowledge and decision-making
Advantages and Disadvantages
✅ Pros
- 24-Hour Grace period preventing overdraft fees
- Asterisk-Free Checking with truly no fees
- Standby Cash affordable overdraft alternative
- Customer-friendly policies prioritizing fairness
- Strong Midwest presence with community focus
- Extended branch hours for customer convenience
- HuntingtonUp automatic savings features
- Transparent fee structure with clear policies
❌ Cons
- Limited geographic reach concentrated in Midwest
- Low deposit rates compared to online banks
- High relationship requirements for Premier benefits
- Limited international banking compared to national banks
- Smaller ATM network than largest competitors
- Technology features lag behind fintech leaders
- Investment services more limited than full-service banks
Final Verdict
Huntington Bank sets the standard for customer-friendly banking policies in the Midwest, with innovations like 24-Hour Grace and Asterisk-Free Checking that demonstrate genuine commitment to customer welfare. Their approach prioritizes helping customers avoid fees rather than generating revenue from mistakes.
While Huntington's deposit rates are modest and their geographic reach is limited, customers in their footprint benefit from some of the most customer-friendly policies in banking, transparent fee structures, and a genuine commitment to fair play.
Huntington Bank Is Best For:
- Midwest residents in Huntington's footprint
- Customers who want truly free checking with no conditions
- Those concerned about overdraft fees and want protection
- Small business owners needing affordable business banking
- People who value transparent, customer-friendly policies
Consider Alternatives If:
- You live outside Huntington's service area
- You want the highest possible savings rates
- You need extensive international banking
- You prefer cutting-edge financial technology
- You want the largest possible ATM network
