Banks: The Final Death of Free Checking?

By Stephanie Taylor Christensen Some of the biggest banks in the world will remind consumers that every action indeed does have a reaction in 2011. In late July 2010, President Obama signed new bank regulation laws limiting when and how financial institutions can charge customers for services like overdraft transactions and ATM withdrawals. Ironically, these changes, which were designed to protect consumers from exorbitant fees, have left banks tasked with identifying new ways to make money. Based on the latest moves by some of the country's largest banks, it could mean the final death of free checking. Many analysts also warn that debit cards as we know them may soon face a similar fate.

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In July, Wells Fargo (WFC) announced that it would no longer offer free checking, now charging new “Value Checking” customers $5 a month unless they make a $250 monthly deposit or maintain a minimum $1,500 balance in the account. Likewise, Fifth Third Bank (FITB) stopped offering any free checking options to new customers, unless a direct deposit or automatic savings plan feature is utilized. And while meeting certain requirements to avoid fees is not necessarily new, the hurdles are certainly getting higher.

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Beginning February 8, JPMorgan Chase (JPM) customers with a “Chase Checking” will need at least one direct deposit of $500 a month, or will need to make five debit card transactions per statement period, in order for the monthly service fee ($6) to be waived. The direct deposit amount was not stipulated previously. Chase customers with grandfathered Washington Mutual accounts will be hit with even bigger fees as they transition into “Chase Total Checking." This account carries a $12 monthly service fee if the account lacks a monthly direct deposit of at least $500, has a monthly balance lower than $1,500, does not have a $5,000 average daily balance in other Chase deposit or investment accounts, or the customer has not paid at least $25 for other Chase checking-related services in the month.

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The changes to direct deposit minimums will have the most impact on those who do not work traditional full-time jobs, and the unemployed. Social Security recipients will have direct deposit amounts exceeding the minimum, according to the Social Security Administration Primary Insurance Amount formula used to calculate benefit amounts. Bank of America (BAC) began a test initiative in Massachusetts, Georgia, and Arizona in January 2011, paving the way for national roll-out by year end that will attach monthly fees ranging from $8.95 to $25 to existing checking accounts, based on the product. To avoid the fees, customers must meet criteria like maintaining a stated balance or using a Bank of America credit card at least once a month.

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