Big Banks Decide Against Debit Card Fees

It looks like many of the big banks are backing down from threats to raise debit card fees, reports the Wall Street Journal. After Bank of America was pounded over its decision to slap debit card users with a $5 monthly fee, JP Morgan Chase, US Bancorp, Citigroup, PNC Financial Services Group, and KeyCorp have all said they will not be adding such fees—though they say it's not a reaction to the Bank of America mess. "We looked at all options and quickly decided it didn't fit with our overall strategy," says a spokesman for KeyCorp.

Chase, which has been testing a $3 monthly fee in Wisconsin and Georgia, will end the practice next month. But Wells Fargo is currently running a test in five states, and SunTrust and Regions Financial are joining Bank of America with a monthly fee—a move that other banks hope will drive new customers their way. "It's not about the money. It's about 'are you kidding me?'" says one US Bancorp customer who said she would have "immediately" left left the bank if it instituted a fee—but now won't have to. (More bank fees stories.)