The $5 monthly charge applies only if you USE the debit card in any one month.....that is my understanding, but please double check this.
I just called Republic and was told that at present they have no plans for a debit card fee. I was also told that I could cancel both of the cards if I wished, so I misunderstood that when I got the account. I think I will cancel one of the cards and hold on to one for the time being, in case my needs change.
Not true. We have our PAC checking account and I have a personal checking and savings account at a credit union and they are charging us $5 a month even though there are no debit cards attached to any of the accounts. CEO said they could either absorb the charge for everyone or charge for it so they are charging. They do pay interest, albeit minimal, on all account balances. I have a business checking account at a regular bank and they don’t charge the fee even though I use debit card for all transactions I can. But I also have checks being direct deposited every month and maintain more than a minimum balance.