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Eighty-four percent of credit union checking accounts come with no monthly maintenance fees, according to Bankrate's 2017 Credit Union Checking Survey. That figure is up from 72 percent two years ago.

According to findings of the survey, conducted earlier this year, 98 percent of standalone checking accounts at credit unions are either free or provided at very low cost based on certain criteria (having a companion account, signing up for direct deposit or maintaining a certain level of activity).

"Credit unions have always acted in the best interests of their members by offering products and services that fit their needs," said NAFCU President and CEO Dan Berger. "These survey results make that very clear."

Other findings from the survey include:

• The average fee to use an out-of-network ATM averages $1.50 for credit union members versus $2.50 for bank customers.
• The average ATM fee for non-credit union members is $2.67 compared to $2.90 for non-bank customers.
• The average overdraft fee at a credit union is $27.76 compared with $35 at a bank.

This survey covers data collected from the nation's 50 biggest credit unions by deposits between Jan. 17 and 25.