Banking, finance, and taxes

Average Bank ATM Fee Rises to New High of $4.52

ATM machine
Thinkstock
In 2015, ATM fees increased by 4% to $2.88 per transaction for consumers who use machines at outside their own network. Consumers’ own banks also tack on an average $1.64 for using another banks’ ATMs. That means non-customers now pay an average of $4.52 for using an out-of-network ATM, up 4% compared with 2014 fees, and the ninth consecutive annual rise in the total transaction fee.

Over the past five years the fee for using an out-of-network ATM has risen 21% according to Bankrate.com Inc. (NYSE: RATE). And if that’s not enough, checking account overdraft fees are at a record high for the 17th consecutive year at $33.07 per bounced check and just 37% of non-interest bearing checking accounts are now free, down from 75% from six years ago.

The five cities with the highest combine ATM fees are Atlanta ($5.15), New York ($5.03), Phoenix ($4.88), Miami ($4.84), and Milwaukee ($4.78). ATM fees are lowest in San Francisco ($3.85), Cincinnati ($3.86), Kansas City ($4.01), Dallas ($4.11), and Seattle ($4.21).

The five cities with the highest average overdraft fees are Milwaukee ($34.79), Atlanta ($34.57), Baltimore ($34.55), Denver ($34.50), and Phoenix ($34.35). The five cities with the lowest average overdraft fees are San Francisco ($30.35), Cincinnati ($30.44), Detroit ($30.80), Los Angeles ($31.88), and Kansas City tied with San Diego ($32.00).

“The most important thing for consumers to know is that all of these fees are completely avoidable,” said Greg McBride, CFA, Bankrate.com’s chief financial analyst. “Shop around for a bank or credit union that fits your lifestyle so that you can keep more of your hard-earned cash.”

According to a study by SNL Financial, the 5 largest banks in the country made $283 million off ATM fees in the 2nd quarter of 2015 alone.

Are You Ahead, or Behind on Retirement? (sponsor)

If you’re one of the over 4 Million Americans  set to retire this year, you may want to pay attention.

Finding a financial advisor who puts your interest first can be the difference between a rich retirement and barely getting by, and today it’s easier than ever. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with up to three fiduciary financial advisors that serve your area in minutes. Each advisor has been carefully vetted, and must act in your best interests. Start your search now.

Don’t waste another minute; get started right here and help your retirement dreams become a retirement reality.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.

AI Portfolio

Discover Our Top AI Stocks

Our expert who first called NVIDIA in 2009 is predicting 2025 will see a historic AI breakthrough.

You can follow him investing $500,000 of his own money on our top AI stocks for free.