Wells Fargo and Bank of America insist that non-customers should not be allowed to use their ATMs for free, but in fact the two banks are already compensated for these transactions through an interchange fee paid by the customer's own bank. The interchange fee, typically 50 cents for a withdrawal, covers the ATM owner's costs and often provides a profit. Surcharges are a second fee for the same transaction. Currently, member banks must allow non-customers to make deposits at their ATMs without paying a surcharge. They do, however, collect an interchange fee from the customer's own bank.
Interchange fees are typically much higher for deposits than they are for withdrawals.
Pressure from some members have forced a number of networks to reconsider their rules. Because these virtual banks do not establish their own ATMs, there's no growth in the network of ATMs available to Firststar customers. Other banks, including Wells Fargo, oppose lifting the surcharge ban on deposits as it might inspire internet banks to build competing ATM fleets. The Federal Reserve has once again documented substantial differences in the level of fees charged by large and small banks. The surveys have been required by Congress since 1989.