The cost to overdraw a bank account could drop to as little as $3 under a proposal announced by the White House, the latest move by the Biden administration to combat fees it says pose an unnecessary burden on American consumers, particularly those living paycheck to paycheck.

The cost to overdraw a bank account could drop to as little as $3 under a proposal announced by the White House, the latest effort by the Biden administration to combat fees it says pose an unnecessary burden on American consumers, particularly those living paycheck to paycheck.

The change could potentially eliminate billions of dollars in fee revenue for the nation’s biggest banks, which were gearing up for a battle even before Wednesday’s announcement. Exactly how much revenue depends on which version of the new regulation is adopted.

Banks charge a customer an overdraft fee if their bank account balance falls below zero. Overdraft started as a courtesy offered to some customers when paper checks used to take days to clear, but proliferated thanks to the growing popularity of debit cards.

    • UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world
      11·
      10 months ago

      If you have a massive transaction more than your limit? Pay with a debit card.

      If you have a massive transaction, you’re more likely to pay with a Cashier’s Check as this pre-clears the amount and guarantees its going to be there when the check comes due. Particularly bougie folks might have an AMEX Black or other high-credit limit card. But who the fuck runs around dropping five figures or more on a debt card?

      It teaches that just because the limit can be 5x your monthly salary, doesn’t mean you should use it.

      I don’t think it teaches any such thing. Its there to limit liability to the creditor not to do the lender any favors.