Posted on 10/02/2011 9:36:18 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
(The news that BofA customers will soon shoulder a monthly charge for debit purchases sparks outrage — and threats to abandon the bank altogether.)
Bank of America, proclaiming that its bottom line is hurt by new legislation that limits how much money banks can charge retailers for the privilege of letting customers pay with debit cards, announced that it will make up for those losses by charging customers a $5 monthly fee. The fee takes effect in 2012 and affects any customer who makes debit purchases. ATM and credit card transactions will remain free. Predictably, the bank's customers are not happy. Fox Business Network's Gerri Willis even cut up her debit card on air. The company's stock tumbled Friday morning following the news, and customers are threatening to leave the bank.
How much will this backlash hurt BofA?
Customers are going to jump ship: "I've been a more-or-less satisfied Bank of America customer for years," says Jon Gorey at The Street. But if the bank intends to charge a $5 monthly fee for "something I can do elsewhere for free, I'm gone." There are plenty of other options, including local banks and online-only competitors like ING Direct, which, unlike Bank of America, aren't charging any fees for debit use. "Thank you, competitive free market."
This could spell the end of debit: It's easy for customers to avoid these fees, says Daniel Indiviglio at The Atlantic. "They just have to stop using their debit cards." And it's likely that they will. A $5-a-month fee to use debit "would push me not to use it in any case other than emergencies" — especially when that fee doesn't apply to withdrawing cash from an ATM or using a credit card. Indeed, "debit could fade away altogether." "Did Congress kill the debit card?"
Hold on. BofA might change its mind: Sadly, Bank of America isn't the only bank set to start charging debit fees, says Sarah Halzack at The Washington Post. But many see the new fees as "trial balloons" — they're testing customers to see how many will tolerate the charges. Consumers should continue to be vocal about their displeasure with these banks, "as they might ax the fee if enough customers gripe about it." "In wake of Bank of America's new debit charge, tips on how to avoid fees"
Actually, Bank of America may win this fight: For now, angry customers are threatening to abandon the bank, says Jessica Dickler at CNN. But it's Bank of America "that could have the last laugh." After all, changing banks isn't exactly a breeze.
Once consumers realize the hassle of it all — from having checks printed to switching their automatic payments — they're likely going to suck it up and stay with Bank of America.
PING to you to read reply # 61.
Do not collect $200 as that is more than even basketball players are now making.
We must ALL be equal in the shifty eyes of Timmy Gee, our Ivy-League educated Sheriff of Nottingham.
Netflix doesn't want you as a customer. DVD only users represent a small percentage of their subscribers, and Netflix believes that the segment will only shrink. It spun off the DVD business because Netflix believes it to be worthless-or, at least, it believes that it will be worthless in a short period of time.
Streaming definitely is the way of the future, but Netflix needs to improve its catalog. People are upset not because they can't get DVDs, but because they can't get what they want on streaming. Fix the streaming thing and your customers are happy.
I have no clue why anyone has to go to university to learn business. The only skills a person really needs is to learn software (computer office) and training for accountant skills. Other than that, there is no real need if you already have the concept and plan set up. Besides, the majority of schooling is about theory, not reality. Then the idiots end up experimenting on already sound businesses and make a huge mess of everything.
I closed an account with them a long time as well. If we had not we both would be irresponsible. Congrate for overcoming your irresponsibility.
While I agree that Congress spends too much time on bad legislation, this is simply a money grab by the banks. Flush with cash and used to screwing us over 100 ways to sundown, they lost out on one source of money and simply added a new source.
I still say no one made them do this and there is no need for it except that they can do it and greed. Blaming our bought and paid for Congress, is getting a little old. We are being run by the banks and their never ending search for more cash and fees. Break up these monster “too big to fail” and end this madness.
One problem with debit cards for businesses is they are not protected against fraud.
Instead of playing the victim, game the system. Credit unions, CapitolOne account that pays interest, credit cards that return a small percentage. Banks will have to compete for customers eventually and again, unless the U.S. Banana Republic Congress continues bailing them out and FTC allows further consolidation.
Back when banks competed, I recall a writer of consumer columns and books Andrew something or other, offered some sound advice. I recall one piece where he suggested moving savings account cash from one bank to another on a regular monthly basis. You see, at that time banks paid 5% on your savings which was nothing as inflation was high, but you could game it to your advantage as the practice was to pay you a full month’s interest if you deposited the money by the 10th of the month. With accounts in two banks, you can see how you could easily work it to earn some unearned money. There must be similar ways today, or if not, there will be sooner or later.
Take advantage of the banks instead of letting them take advantage of you!
I don’t have any problem with breaking them up, although I have seen some people try to argue that we need to adopt the Canadian system, which actually is the exact opposite of that philosophy. They basically have gone with a system that has just 5 giant banks, so that there is no competition. When the economy goes bad, the banks could care less. They have no meaningful competition.
I still maintain, though, that this has nothing to do with that. It’s all about Congress deciding to impose another useless but expensive layer of regulation on the banks because the last one did not work. Regulation costs money, and whether we have big banks or small, they are going to pass those costs on to the consumer.
“Then the idiots end up experimenting on already sound businesses and make a huge mess of everything.”
Exactly! I’m a few credits shy of my Business Degree. I’m a few credits shy of my Master Gardener’s degree. However - due to my common sense and work ethic, so far I’ve ‘managed to manage’ three mutli-million dollar companies within my field of expertise...and been paid well to do so. *SHRUG*
Go figure... :)
Maybe it’s a Midwest Thang? You know, where they appreciate hard work and COMMON SENSE? LOL! I know for SURE I can’t survive on the West Coast - tried that, failed miserably. And I have NO desire to go East...
Actually, many of them have the same protection as credit cards. I know that BofA's Visa debit card is protected, as are a number of local credit union cards.
Mark
Actually they are not. Merchants are protected from providing any information on the fraudulent use of business debit cards. Master Card secures the charge to the merchant regardless of abuse. There is no way to reverse these charges if they are made on a business card.
There is an added layer of protection if the business debit card holder signs up with MasterCard for a special hidden password available through their secure card program. This simply precludes false charges by less sophisticated fraud.
Once a felonious charge is made on a business debit card it cannot be reversed. The consumer protection law recently passed by Congress protects individual consumers. It does not protect businesses.
What do you do? You sound brilliant!
Why, Thank you!
I’ve been in the Ag Biz for the past 15 years. I’ve managed a store for The Seed Savers Exchange and am currently a Nursery Manager for Jung Seed Company.
(Before that I was in Construction Project Management but I really didn’t like that very much, though the money was good...)
I also small-scale farm and raise laying hens for fun & profit. It’s a simple life, but someone has to live it! :)
We have a credit union were we put some of our savings and have another checking account. Besides, I heard that other banks will most likely follow suit. This was caused by the Feds capping what banks could charge businesses taking debit cards, so naturally it is passed onto us, the customers.
Sounds great; I’m getting certifications (in the near future) in Microsoft Office, phlebotomy, HTML, and (of course) business in order to get the knowledge I need and the credentials. Currently someone just agreed to tutor me in investment management and soon I’ll have just the skills I need to run an online business and then proceed to end up with enough money to pay for my degree in virology.
All I am dead sure of is that I am not getting a degree in the subject if it isn’t my career path. Frankly I don’t see how on earth anyone should go to college for things they can get certified in, if you dont’ mind my saying. The minute I get those skills I will be in full swing and then I will be able to end up move ahead of my less than skilled peers, who wasted ten years on a useless degree instead of figuring out what they really wanted and would pay the bills.
Quite frankly these days, yet again, it is the small business owner wiht an actual skill that survives these things other than the well suited speculator.
Exactly. Sounds like a great plan. I’ve always considered myself a ‘Free Agent’ and that has served me well through the years!
Best of Luck! :)
Thanks for the correction.
Mark
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