They also don't mention that consumers are not locked into paying those fees. So customers won't have surprises about the availability of their bank's ATMs, consumers should research the extent of their bank's ATM network before opening an account. Customers at grocery stores and elsewhere can also usually get additional cash back from their purchases when using these payment methods. Consumers ultimately have choices about where to bank. If they are dissatisfied with their bank's services or fees, they can switch.
Consumers have a broad range of options.
Designed around greater use of ATMs than of human tellers, these services would be less attractive to offer and less available without the widespread deployment of ATMs. If access charges are restricted or prohibited, banks will have little incentive to invest in more ATMs for the convenience not only of their customers, but other consumers. Banks have said they need to charge user fees because it is expensive for them to set up and maintain ATMs, especially in areas distant from the bank where there is a high demand. In most cases, ATMs are serving customers of other banks and other financial institutions. Other players besides banks are heavily into ATM ownership - EDS, for example, owns ATMs that are installed in hundreds of convenient locations.