ATM fee's are just one of the fee's that we don't pay for at the moment which could easily be brought in. That, and direct debit, standing orders, withdrawels, depaosits, transfers etc etc.

These things all cost banks money. High street banking is NOT a profitable industry.

People are stupid.

If they are not able to charge for those who cost the most in administration then they will find other ways to raise income. First Direct already have criteria to avoid paying a monthly charge, you either have to have a certain amount go into the account or a second banking relationship with them, it is the second banking relationship that makes them the incme. Out of date by a few years but the bank I used to work for said a standard cheque account cost them £76 a year to operate and that was one that incurred no charges at all so it is not profitable on its own, it is the cross sales that generate the income.

Think me and Drew have been over this before! I agree the banks should charge for customers going overdrawn. What I do not agree with is extortionate charging without capping and often without warning.

No call or contact from the banks about the charges often occurs too which leads to further charges and makes it difficult for people to stay "in credit". I would like to see banks apply a "three strikes and your out" type policy to their customers. The were tis a genuine mistake or overdrawal due to say, an unexpected cheque clearance (I have know companies take money early and late leading to such difficulties banks could "warn" customers before taking action.

I know my bank does this with my credit card account (I get an automated call to give me so many days to pay an amount to remain in credit and avoid charges).

The banks make a mint investing customers money, dont worry about that !!

The fact the banks are going to be able to get away with it with todays ruling is all the evidence you need this is state sponsored fraud.

How can it be fraud? Even if they put the charges up to £100, you can avoid them by, erm, managing your money?

I got charged £100 not long since because for some reason my maternity allowance was paid a month late, but I just called the bank and they reduced the charge to £30, which I was fine with.

P.S- Plipplop please start posting more, that bloke is H.O.T

must be my age, I would rather you posted more Lisa, so I can go Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah at the babbby!!!

If your a five rover drawn and you geta ten pound fine,mthat sems rather unfair and disproportionate. If the banking regulator, the judicairy and the goverment all side with the banks over this illigal fees then its seems like closing ranks. What this is bout is people power being quashed. Even today the water companies are talking about putting UP water prices becuase of too much rain. Its called profiteering in America and the banks are the worst at it..

Amazingly I agree with Ziggy on this one. I never thought that would happen

Surely there can be a cap introduced on charges to prevent some banks excessive penalties which would benefit customers and banks ?

The banks well aware they are making billions out of customer penalties are just sabre rattling by saying it could trigger the end of free banking. The banking system is highly competitive in this country. If some withdrew free banking, others would try and capitilize.

The Times estimates the charges at 5 million !!