In today’s world, the rise in ATM fees is becoming harder and harder to escape. It’s a trend that has taken the nationwide average for using a machine that isn’t in your bank’s network to a record of $4.35 per transaction, as Bankrate’s annual survey of checking account fees recently revealed.

Questions:
1. According to the article, are the fees we are seeing now at their peak? Why or why not?
2. Will the interest you earn on your money on deposit make up for the fees that banks charge? Discuss.
3. Why are those that need free checking the most also the ones who are least likely to have it?
4. How much have the three largest banks in the U.S. earned in overdraft fees since 2009? How should they account for this revenue stream?
5. What percentage of non-interest revenue from ATM and checking account fees do banks like TD Bank and First National Bank of Texas make?
6. Is it illegal for ATM machines in theme parks or places with captive audiences to charge extra fees? Discuss. Is it ethical?

Source:
McGee, S. (2015). ATM fees: the ‘hole in the wall gang’ needs to be kept in check. The Guardian, Oct. 8 (Retrievable online at http://www.theguardian.com/business/us-money-blog/2015/oct/08/atm-withdrawal-fees-banks-banking-money)