Debit Card Fees: Blame Congress
Some Americans are outraged that Bank of America intends to charge its customers a $5 fee for using their debit card. And simply switching banks might not help: others are expected to follow. While frustration over yet another bank fee is understandable, this one should surprise no one. Congress acted to cap the debit fees that banks could charge retailers last year, and banks are reacting by directly charging their customers a portion of these lost fees to make up the difference. The move could mean the end of the debit card.
On the one hand, "unintended consequences." On the other, completely predictable. Via Did Congress Kill the Debit Card? - Daniel Indiviglio - Business - The Atlantic.