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Chase, Bank of America Tweak Overdraft Policies

Will eliminate fees on small overdrafts, cut number of times customers can be hit daily

By Will McCahill,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 22, 2009 7:44 PM CDT

(Newser) – After squawking by legislators, JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America are changing how they charge overdraft fees, the Wall Street Journal reports. BofA now won’t charge customers if they overdraw their accounts by under $10 in one day; at Chase, it’s $5 or less. Both are also reducing the number of times daily customers can be charged an overdraft fee—Chase from six to three, Bank of America from 10 to four.


Both banks denied that political pressure was behind the move. “We are doing this because we have customers under stress and we can help a lot of them right now,” said a Bank of America rep. Chase’s spin: “We realize that customers have real concerns about the fees they have incurred and we want to take a thoughtful approach to ways to help them.”

1Chase Manhattan Plaza, occupied by JPMorgan Chase & Co.
1Chase Manhattan Plaza, occupied by JPMorgan Chase & Co.   (AP Photo)
Traffic passes a branch of the Bank of America in New York.
Traffic passes a branch of the Bank of America in New York.   (AP Photo)
Chase Bank branch at the Chrysler Building.
Chase Bank branch at the Chrysler Building.   (Wikimedia Commons)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
Robert_Dada
Sep 23, 2009 12:54 PM CDT
Continue the fight citizens. Remove all your investments, deposits and loans with these greed ridden behemoths and place them in small banks, savings and loans, credit unions and investment boutiques. You'll see big bank policies changing faster than a jack rabbit on a date if you do. You will likely also get better rates, customer service and returns. Don't ever forget consumer - YOU have the power. Quit whining and use it.
rajanKazhmin
Sep 23, 2009 12:51 PM CDT
Nice! They'll find another way to rob us blind and screw us over, but don't let that ruin this small victory for the little guy.
oldgoat
Sep 23, 2009 9:35 AM CDT
I belong to both a credit union and a local bank. Both are basically the same. Maybe in your area the CU's are better, but so far here there isn't any real difference. Any body that banks with BOA or Wells Fargo deserve what they get. Most local banks are better to work with that the big banks anyway. However I still look at this whole thing and ask when did people stop being responsible for what they do? If you don't have the money in the bank to cover a bill then don't write the check or swipe the card. It isn't that hard to keep track of a balance. If nothing else and you are math challenged round down your deposits and round up the debt. However don't overdraft and then whine when you are charged, especially when you continue to bank there.

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