checking accounts

While thousands of Americans unleash their anger at big banks in protests around the country, many more are registering their dissatisfaction from their keyboards. In the wake of last week's news that Bank of America is adding a new $5 fee for debit card use, online-only banks saw waves of new customers coming through their virtual doors.

You're not imagining it: Banks, especially big ones, have been overhauling their offerings and piling on the fees lately. And while some banks have started dishing out goodies like coffee and danish, don't be distracted by the tasty treats -- they're just there so you won't notice just how crazy...

You might not think you have a lot in common with the largest banks. But in some ways you do, which is part of the reason why individual checking account holders and debit card users can expect to see their bank fees increase this year. First, some history. Over the last couple of years, as the...

In a lot of ways, 2010 ended up being a pretty good year for anyone with a bank account. For instance, the Federal Reserve stepped in and offered up some regulations that somewhat tame the overdraft fee situation. The best part of the new regulations? If you want your debit card to be declined...

A college student with a large bank account might be rare, but checking accounts built specifically for students aren't uncommon. Certain student checking accounts protect the college-bound from monthly maintenance fees and over-draft charges when they begin their financial careers. Bank of...

Americans have special relationships with their money and their banks. Putting money into a bank account is an act of trust, and it's difficult to think of a checking or savings account as a business transaction because the money is still yours -- the bank is just holding it for you and keeping it...

Free checking is becoming an endangered species as banks add fees for basic services or add requirements like direct deposit or high balances. The latest move comes from Bank of America, which charges a $8.95-per-month fee Tuesday for customers who want paper statements or the use of tellers.

Now that many major banks are getting rid of free checking accounts, it may be a good time to assess just how many banks accounts you have -- and how much they may be costing you. There's even a slight chance you might have more accounts than you realize. CESI Debt Solutions recently conducted a...

If you're a banker, please whip out a pad of paper and start taking notes. I have some ideas. Don't get me wrong. There have been some positive changes lately in how banks are treating their customers. For instance, while overdraft fees haven't exactly been eradicated from the planet, Bank of...

Consumers overwhelmingly want limits and additional disclosures on bank overdraft fees, according to a survey released by the Consumer Federal of America (CFA). Yet Congress has done nothing to fix the problem since it held hearings late last year and banks continue to make billions on overdraft...