A frequent argument in the debate over predatory payday lenders is that banks get away with the same predatory practices through the likes of overdraft fees. No doubt about that. It just so happens that between court precedent and national legislation, there’s no clear line of legal attack on the fees here.
But, you might be interested to know, that a group interested in consumer lending has targeted the fees and it has some support in Congress to do something about a variety of punishing bank practices, from predatory overdraft fees to manipulation of the order of withdrawals in ways that harm consumers and hidden ATM charges. Pass legislation over the bank lobby? Don’t hold your breath.
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