Category: Fees & Overdraft
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There is no federal $5 cap on overdraft fees — Congress killed that rule before it ever took effect
Ask around and a fair number of people will tell you that a bank cannot charge more than five dollars when an account goes negative. It is a specific, confident, widely repeated belief, and it is wrong in two directions at once. No such limit is in force today. And even the rule that people…
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Federal credit unions can now charge fees your state law used to cap
For decades, two layers of law sat on top of what a credit union charged for an account. A federal layer set the outer boundaries, and a state legislature could tighten certain charges further. As of the end of June, for federally chartered credit unions, only one of those layers still operates. A National Credit…
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Opting Out of Overdraft: What Changes at the Register
Federal rules make debit-card overdraft coverage opt-in, not automatic. Here is what actually happens at the register when you say no, and how to check your status.
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ATM Fees Add Up: How to Stop Paying Them Entirely
Every out-of-network withdrawal can trigger two separate ATM fees. Here’s how the charges work, where they’re disclosed, and six ways to pay zero.
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Checking Account Fees: The Waivers Banks Rarely Mention
Most checking account maintenance fees can be waived — through direct deposit, a minimum balance, or an account the bank doesn’t advertise. Here’s how.
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Wire Transfer Fees vs. Zelle vs. ACH: What Each Costs
Wires, Zelle and ACH all move money — at very different costs, speeds and protections. Which to use when, and the fraud rules behind each.
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Late Fee Rules for Credit Cards: Where the Cap Stands
The $8 credit card late fee cap was struck down in court. Here is what issuers can legally charge now, and the protections that still apply to you.
