Friday, November 12, 1999
No account? No cash from ATMs
Banks respond to surcharge ban
The Associated Press
SANTA MONICA, Calif. — George Safaris was out of luck Thursday when his quest for cash got caught up in a battle over ATM fees between this trendy seaside community and California's two largest banks.
Mr. Safaris wanted to withdraw $100 for lunch with his wife, a trip to the beach and “hanging out,” but a Bank of America automated-teller machine rejected his Canadian bank card.
“It's just a total inconvenience,” the Pacific Palisades resident said. “Now I have to go find another bank.”
Bank of America and Wells Fargo allowed ATM access to customers only on Thursday, the same day a Santa Monica city ordinance took effect banning surcharges on ATM use by noncustomers.
The retaliatory lockout of ATMs couldn't have come at a worse time for consumers. Thursday was Veterans Day, a federal holiday when most banks were closed.
That left David Brito scrambling.
The Santa Monica resident usually banks with his credit union, but because it was shut for the holiday he tried to use a Bank of America ATM.
Inserting his card to get $20, Mr. Brito instead was greeted with a notice advising him that: “Due to a recent vote by the Santa Monica City Council, the convenience of this ATM is now available to Bank of America card holders only.”
“That means I can't get no money today. It's terrible,” said Mr. Brito, who was running low on cash.
Because Bank of America and Wells Fargo are the state's largest banks, choices for noncustomers are limited. Combined, the banks have 33 ATMs in Santa Monica.
The banks have said they should not be prohibited from charging fees and that they need the money to offset the cost of operating a 24-hour cash network.
San Francisco voters passed a similar ban Nov. 2, and both banks said they plan to limit ATM use to customers there, too. That ordinance takes effect next month.
The bankers, arguing that cities do not have authority over national banks, will go to federal court Monday seeking to overturn the ban on ATM surcharges.
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No account? No cash from ATMs
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