Bank of America Corp, the second- biggest U.S. lender by deposits, dropped plans to charge a $5 monthly fee for debit cards after a nationwide backlash from customers and lawmakers.
“We have listened to our customers very closely over the last few weeks and recognize their concern with our proposed debit usage fee,” David Darnell, co-chief operating officer, said in a statement from the Charlotte, North Carolina-based lender today. “As a result, we are not currently charging the fee and will not be moving forward with any additional plans to do so.”
Bank of America reversed course after competitors including Wells Fargo, the No. 2 debit-card issuer, decided not to charge similar fees. Atlanta-based SunTrust Banks and Regions Financial Corp., based in Birmingham, Alabama, said yesterday they will eliminate their check-card fees after customers rebelled.
Card issuers have been seeking to replace revenue lost after the U.S. capped fees on debit-card transactions earlier this year. The limits, mandated by the Dodd-Frank Act, may cut annual revenue by $8 billion at the biggest U.S. banks, according to data compiled by Bloomberg Government.
(Source: Bloomberg)
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3 Responses
It’s very hard to sell a product when your competition is giving it away from free. Most banks don’t charge such fees, and don’t plan to. What would BOA offer that is worth a $60/year premium over most banks and credit unions.
Akuperma,
You can’t find the same credit union when you travel
Secondly boa’s decision came after other banks dropped the idea
Chalk one up for the consumer! I wonder what scheme they will come up with to charge money. I still don’t blame them too much. They were really done in by the democrats.