Expert Says Switching Banks May Not Be The Solution To Avoid Debit Card Fees
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Several large banks, including Bank of America have instituted new fees including a monthly one just for debit card use. If you think you can avoid the fees by ditching your bank, you may be in for a rude awakening.
St. Joseph's University Associate Finance Professor Christopher Coyne says the Dodd-Frank law passed last year is behind these fees.
"In the past, what banks do is subsidize heavy users with light users so the heavy user doesn't get hit with a really big fee. What the law has forced banks to do is work out a price for each individual person."
And he says don't think you'll be able to dodge these fees by going to a credit union.
"Credit unions operate their financial services through banks, so the banks will charge the credit unions the higher fees and guess what? The credit unions are going to pass them on to you."
Coyne says lawmakers are thinking of taking a look at repealing a portion of the law that restricts the fees banks can charge because of this situation.
Reported by Michelle Durham, KYW Newsradio
