Bank of America to charge $5 monthly debit card fee

[NinjaPoodle]

Originally Posted by Mevara

Credit unions have agreements with other cu to allow use of their ATMs. As long as the ATM displays the COOP symbol you can use it with out a fee.

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

A large number of CU's participate in "shared branching", wherein you can use the ATMs or physical locations of other CU's for basic stuff (deposits and withdrawals, mostly).

http://www.co-opfs.org/public/locato...ator/index.cfm

Originally Posted by DGTess

Ditto on the CU. Make sure it's federally chartered, though, vice state-chartered.

GOOD POINT!

[PeppyGPhiB]

Originally Posted by Cen1aur 1963

I feel you. My bank charges me $2.00 every time I use my debit card. If I run it as a credit they don't charge me. I don't know the difference as of why they charge if it's a debit, and not credit.

I'm sorry, but you're crazy/stupid if you stay with a bank that charges you ANY transaction fee for using your debit card...at least in the U.S. My CU doesn't even charge me a transaction fee that high when I'm overseas!!!

[ASUADPi]

I will definitely be closing my BofA account. The fact that they have screwed me over with unauthorized charges (that put my account 500+ in the hole), then they screwed me over with my mortgage (the refused to refinance, even after Obama gave them a HUGE payout. Then they denied my 3 short sale offers, I was finally foreclosed on in May after over 2 years).

I'm switching to USAA.

[Honeykiss1974]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

I have an account with BofA, but I also have one with Suntrust. I was thinking that it would be no biggie - I put everything on my credit cards and pay them off at the end of the month anyway, since I have a UPromise for personal use and a BankAmerica Cash Rewards for business use, so I get cashback rewards anyway. I figured if I ever HAD to use debit, I would have my SunTrust debit card. I GOT A LETTER FROM SUNTRUST YESTERDAY THAT THEY'RE DOING THE SAME THING!

Oh, well. Back to the dark ages of check writing (in situations where credit cards aren't accepted but debit are), I guess.

Good idea - I was just commenting yesterday to someone about how I NEVER write checks anymore and low and behold, I may start doing it again.

I have a small account with BofA (my real money is in a credit union), but I will be closing it as of Monday once I get my direct deposit changed. A fee to use my money is ridiculous. I'll go back to just using cash for purchases, which is probably going to be better for my wallet anyway (you spend less when paying cash).

[summer_gphib]

I don't know if this has been posted yet or not, but we spoke to them at the bank, and not all accounts will have to deal with this. We have the "Advantage" account, and should have a monthly fee. But because our mortgage is there as well, the fee is waived. We will not be getting the $5 fee.

[AGDLynn]

^^^^
Thanks for the info. We have the Advantage and mortgage too.

[lovespink88]

Originally Posted by Mevara

Credit unions have agreements with other cu to allow use of their ATMs. As long as the ATM displays the COOP symbol you can use it with out a fee.

I don't think this is necessarily true for all CUs. I bank with a CU and I had thought that if that sign was on the ATM it meant I could do free withdrawls there. Not true. I had to look up on my bank's website to see which ones were actually free. A little annoying, but now I know where the free ones are it's not an issue.

[Evan0g]

I don't understand what the big deal is. In Canada, we have to pay a monthly fee for pretty much any bank you join. Most banks do give free accounts to students, but after that we have to start paying anywhere from $3-$25 a month. I'm from the States originally so while I would be peeved if my bank started charging me for my debit account, it's better then having to pay more for a different BS reason. I'd much rather be dinged $5 a month and have a low fees then have have a free account with high fees when I do have an "oops" moment.

[AGDee]

They still have high fees when you have an "oops" moment. There are just more regulations about them.

[joliebelle]

Originally Posted by ASUADPi

I'm switching to USAA.

I have a checking and savings account with USAA and I will be closing my B of A account soon. I love USAA, but I do like to go into a bank on occasion.

[SWTXBelle]

USAA is the best! I love the deposit@home program - BOOM - I get credit for my deposit instantly. AND atm fees are refunded!

[Ch2tf]

I have a BoA account and will be going into a branch on Monday to get more info. I have 2 checkings and a savings with them. I really don't want to have to switch banks b/c of my direct deposits (and all out being lazy) but I DEFINITELY won't be paying $5 a month to use my debit card.

[ASUADPi]

I guess other banks are considering this move too but I think people will start backlashing. We shouldn't have to pay additional fees to use OUR money!

[PhoenixAzul]

I had a BofA account when I worked for Oklahoma, but there were more branches out there and there are none here in western PA (except for the aforementioned random ATMs in Ross Park Mall) so I closed that account when I moved back to PA. Because I worked for OU, I got a special type of account that didn't have any of the weird restrictions or fees, but I would probably have closed my account anyway and gone to the OU credit union.

I always had good service at my branch and never had any problems with BofA, to be fair.

However, a $5 fee doesn't sound like a lot, but at the same time, it is $5 for having access to your own money, and that is ridiculous.

[Jill1228]

The BOA policy is a crock. I kicked them to the curb years ago. I think this cartoon sums it up