Consumer complaint received 2025-05-05 00:00:00
Product: Checking or savings account — Checking account
Issue: Managing an account — Problem using a debit or ATM card
Company: ASSOCIATED BANC-CORP
State: MN

Complaint narrative:
I recently discovered that my bank, Associated Bank, has been taking out an additional fee of {$3.00} for every " out of network '' ATM withdrawal. Now, I am aware of the ATM machine that I am using taking out a fee, as they will inform you of the fee, and then ask to proceed. I do not like using my ATM card for every small purchase-it is easier for me to keep track by using cash ( and restaurant servers appreciate cash tips ). So, I use ATMs quite frequently. This information was supposed to be disclosed to me at the time of opening my account, which it was not. I claim to have not known about this. When I saw a {$3.00} ATM charge on my statement it simply read " out of network '', which I assumed was just a normal ATM fee. The bank claims that this is in the agreement, so I must have known about it. When I " XXXX  '' it, this is what came up : AI Overview Yes, banks are generally required to inform customers about out-of-network ATM fees when enrolling for a service or account. Financial institutions are required to disclose fees imposed when a consumer uses an ATM to withdraw cash, both within and outside their network. This includes fees for ATM withdrawals, deposits, and balance inquiries. 

Obviously, informing potential customers of this practice, which is not common to every banking institution, would diminish the number of new checking account holders. To me, informing is a verbal act, or at the very least, pointing it out in the agreement. My activity alone would be evident of someone not being aware of this hidden fee. When I say hidden it is because I am not informed about the fee at the time of withdrawing my funds, nor does it show up on the receipt. Over the course of the 13 years or so that I have been banking there, this amount adds up to well over {$7000.00}. That is not including the ATM fees that I agreed to pay at the time of withdrawing my money. 
I have asked the bank for any confirmation as to my being informed about this at the time of opening my account, and they simply keep referring me to the agreement. Since the agreement is after the fact, and is not a transparent attempt at informing of this additional fee, I requested a return of all such ATM fees. Of course, they refused. 
Since knowing about this, for the past 3 weeks, I have gone out of my way to only use their ATM machine which is free. And, my activity over the past 3 weeks represents how I use ATM machines when I am made aware of an additional fee. This means I have been paying an average of {$7.00} per ATM fee. Sometimes I would use an ATM 3 times in one day. I can not think of anyone who would knowingly throw away money like this. 
I do plan to close my account as soon as possible. By them repeatedly telling me that I knew about this, they are essentially accusing me of being dishonest. I see this as a problem with many financial institutions where they highlight the perks of opening account, but are vague at best at informing potential clients of the downside to opening an account with their bank.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation