The amount of those surcharges has also increased. The U.S. Public Interest Research Group reports that 71 percent of the companies surveyed impose surcharges, up from 45 percent in March 1997. PIRG, a consumer group founded by Ralph Nader, supports a ban on surcharges, calling them unfair. Many banking customers agree, but like Remillard, they are willing to pay them in order to have banking flexibility. For the convenience, though, I put up with it.
Local bankers point to such statements in justifying the surcharge.
You pay for the service of having your newspaper delivered, but consumer groups want banks not to get paid for the ATM service. Most banks surveyed in the area follow similar patterns. We're living in a fee-based economy these days. You pay for what you use. Burdick and Milavec also say banks spend a great deal of money to provide ATM service, and they have to make up for that cost.