PAGE 3
ATM Fees
The cost to use an out-of-network ATM is rising. BankRate.com found the average bank charges $1.97 if you use its ATM but aren't a customer. Your own bank will charge another $1.46, on average, if you go out of network, so you get zinged in both directions.

Also, bigger isn't always better. "The big banks don't necessarily have an exclusive advantage here because of large networks. A lot of smaller banks belong to ATM alliances that give customers access to hundreds or thousands of ATMs free of charge," Greg says. Smaller banks also tend to be slower raising fees.

Balance Transfers
It used to be that, if you wanted to take advantage of a 0 percent credit card balance transfer offer, you paid 3 percent of the amount transferred with a cap of $75 to $100. Now you'll pay at least 3 percent—sometimes as much as 5 percent—without a cap.

"We may see the elimination of [cheap balance transfers] because I don't see that there's a business for doing that anymore," says Nessa Feddis of the American Bankers Association.

Before you open any account, ask the bank for its fee account schedule. They're required by law to give it to you.

Jean answers your most pressing debt questions.

NEXT STORY

Next Story