Free Checking is Rare at Big Banks, Common at Small

Date: 27 Nov 2012 | posted in: Banking | 0 Facebooktwitterredditmail

While just 24 percent of big banks offer totally free checking, more than 60 percent of credit unions and small banks do, according to a new report from the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. The report also found that credit unions and small banks have lower fees on average and do a better job of disclosing fees to prospective customers.… Read More

Soaring Credit Card Transaction Fees Squeeze Independent Businesses

Date: 5 May 2009 | posted in: Banking, Retail | 8 Facebooktwitterredditmail

Independent businesses are largely at the mercy of Visa and MasterCard when it comes to the fees they must pay every time they swipe a credit card.  These fees, which are ultimately passed on to consumers in the form of higher prices, have soared from $27 billion in 2004 to $48 billion last year (or $427 per household). Recognizing the tremendous market power held by card processors, many countries now regulate credit card transaction fees, setting them at rates as low as one-sixth of what U.S. businesses pay.  … Read More