Avoiding Hidden Bank fees

In the last 10 years bank fees have more than doubled and in the last 4 or 5 years they have sky rocketed again to all time highs pushing bank profits through the roof. You can now be charged $40 or more for making one small banking error and over the coarse of a year the fees can add up to hundreds of dollars that your missing out on. ATM fees, cash advance fees, stop payment and returned deposit fees, courtesy service fees and miscellaneous fees have all risen sharply and are not fees you will want to incur.

This MSN Money write up explains how using Credit Unions instead of banks could save you on some fees or at least lower fees. Armed with some handy pointers though you can avoid most fees and keep your money in your pocket.

Bank Fees are More Outrageous Than Ever
"Everybody knows that banks have jacked up fees on those who mismanage their checking accounts and credit cards.

Charges for late payments and exceeding your credit limit have almost tripled in the past decade. Bounced-check fees now average close to $30 -- with some banks charging as much as $45 for an NSF (nonsufficient funds) draft".

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