Is that fair that we should start paying for a standard bank account?

I earn the bloody money and should be able to do what I like with it. Why should I have to use a service that I don't want in the first place - I hate banks.

I don't know whether to categories them as banks or pirates!

To the answerers above who have said 'why should we get banking services for free?', the banks make plenty of money by using the funds in our current accounts and savings accounts for investing, and to lend people for mortgages at a higher rate of interest than they pay out to us. Why should we pay them extra for the privilege?

I think everyone needs to stop reading the headlines and actually read the content.

The charge would only really affect people who hardly use the account (dormant accounts) or people who decide to use the banks expensive services (such as 24 hour person to person banking) but decide for example to save a few quid by taking their car loan elsewhere.

Services DO cost the bank to operate and sustain, so its not exactly fair that people get on average Â£40+ a months worth of services when some only make the bank a few pound each (if at all if the account is practically empty/dormant).
Also, bad debt doesn't help, people borring to live a lifestyle they shouldn't have on their income, then falling back on government legislation to have the debt written off with pretty much no comeback - costing UK banks hundreds of millions each year (check the figures available on the web).

The fee is for a service - and as such is no different to hundreds of other insitutions who charge for their services (but without the aggrovation) i.e. when you get a printed statement from your mobile phone company they charge you a couple of pounds for it, change your insurance policy with some companies and they charge you an admin fee, the list goes on.

To be honest, charges like this may have not come about if people didn't follow like sheep the programs on TV telling you to switch around your 0% visa balance from bank to bank (to effectively borrow for free), and move your mortgage around year after year to save a few pounds a month.

Also, the big supermarkets anounce MUCH bigger profits EVERY year, but no one bats an eyelid when they charge you 10p extra for a tin of beans? Now add that 10p to each item on your basket!

At the end of the day, banks don't make money from every single customer - this is a fact that many people can't come to grips with. You may think that by putting your wage in the bank, making a few switch payments and paying your bills that the bank is making millions a year from you alone, but be realistic - you probably make them a few pounds if that. But you get statements, free ATM access (mostly), 24 hours telephone support on local rate numbers, internet banking etc. Now who comes out of that deal worst?

no of course it isn't fair but they could say that they should be allowed to charge us for using their service... but they already get enough money from us from interest on loans, mortgages etc as well as money they charge us for letters sent out and when we go over overdraft limits. Therefore it is not that they need extra money off us to stay profitable but that they just want to screw more out of us which is like the whole philosophy in the modern western world

Go to another bank - the blood sucking b*****ds claim a percentage of every transaction you make anyway, why should we pay them more?

Has anyone ever heard of a bank going bankrupt because it didn't earn enough?

I think banks make enuf on other things, I don't think they should charge on checking accounts. don't get me started on credit cards !

Then get yourself a "basic" bank account, all the high street banks do them. Cashcard only, no cheque book, no overdraft, no credit card - no charges.
In this day and age if you want more facilities you have to pay for them. Many other countries pay for their banking facilities.
Everyone's kicking off at First Direct but they're all at it, put all your accounts with First Direct - current account, savings, credit card etc and they won't charge you.

No. If a bank threatens to do this (if they haven't done it already), send an angry but polite letter stating that you will move take your business elsewhere.

They already make obscene profits from interest on your money, and credit card charges etc.

Changing bank accounts can be a pain, sorting out direct debits and such, but I have done it on a number of occasions over the years, and felt better for doing it.

I use the same philosophy for shops; crap service equals lost business.

If it's not the government it's the banks, if not the banks the government, a never ending circle.

No. Our banks are run by are greedy bastards hell bent on ripping off Joe Public.

Not everybody can afford to pay for a Bank Account either.

SCREW THE BANKS THE BAST-R--

No, it's not fair, however 'go with love' (your service will be better) and check out Washington Mutual Bank for a no-charge checking account!

its not fair, just make it harder for them go inside and get your money from the till not an ATM cancel all standing orders and dd's pay your bills over the counter

So, cash your paycheck and deal in cash. No problem. You are not required to use a bank.

Why should ANY business provide you with a service for free? Some banks still have free checking, some with a minimum balance to cover their costs, but they still have to do the work of managing it. Why should it be free to you? Maybe you think their employees work for free and they don't have any expenses?

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