ATM fees at Bank of America savings accounts

This isn't about fees from using another banks ATM's. This is the unsound and unfair practice that Bank of America (BOA) has with their savings account customers. My account was opened with Fleet Bank in the late 1990's, and lasted until Fleet was bought by BOA in 2004.

BOA is great in New York City, since their ATM's are ubiquitous. What BOA did in the past year is very deceptive. If you use another banks ATM, you are charged a fee (usually by the other bank, and by BOA). Savings account users at BOA can now use their ATM only three times (or make three counter transactions) eah month. Use an ATM four times, and BOA starts charging you. Pretty soon, you are spending $9 a month to use your ATM six times. Take a look at the fees for yourself.

Your interest rate for a savings account is 0.2%. A $3,000 account will earn $6 a year (correct me if I'm wrong). In the meantime, you've spent $108 in ATM/counter fees (assuming you visit the bank 6 times a month).

Your best bet is to open a checking account, which gives you another lousy interest rate, but at least BOA doesn't penalize you for using an ATM.