Still Risky
An Update on the Safety and Transparency of Checking Accounts
- Safe Checking in the Electronic Age
- Contact Samantha Lasky 202.540.6390
- October 9, 2012
Quick Summary
Banks are continuing key banking practices that put consumers at financial risk and potentially expose them to high and unexpected costs for little benefit.
Updated: See our expanded and updated Still Risky online tools, featuring a 50-state data map with downloadable factsheets and a bank disclosure quiz.
In this update to Hidden Risks: The Case for Safe and Transparent Checking Accounts, Pew’s Safe Checking in the Electronic Age Project continues its study of checking account terms and conditions to examine both the state of the marketplace and the effect of current regulations.
SOURCE: Pew Center on the StatesStill Risky: An Update on the Safety and Transparency of Checking Accounts finds the following practices that may harm consumers:
Financial institutions do not summarize important policies and fee information in a uniform, concise, and easy-to-understand format that allows customers to compare account terms and conditions.
Financial institutions do not provide accountholders with clear and comprehensive information about overdraft options and their costs.
Certain overdraft fees have increased.
All 12 banks either already reorder withdrawals from highest to lowest dollar amount or reserve the right to do so without notice to the customer, thus maximizing overdraft fees
Based on findings in this report and in Hidden Risks, Pew continues to recommend policy solutions that protect consumers, promote a competitive marketplace, and foster a level playing field among financial institutions. Download the report to learn more.
Report Assets
Video
Susan Weinstock discusses policy recommendations to make accounts more transparent and fair for consumers.
- Date:
- October 9, 2012
- Contacts:
- Samantha Lasky | 202.540.6390
- Project:
- Safe Checking in the Electronic Age
- Issues:
- Checking & Banking
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