Better Business Bureau: Watch for New Bank Fees

UNDATED - Some banks are adding new fees for using your debit card.  And that has the Better Business Bureau advising you to check your bank statements closely.

Recent changes in banking laws capped the "swipe fee" that banks can charge retailers for debit transactions.  The average fee was 44 cents per transaction, but the new law caps that fee at 21 cents.  Banks estimate they will lose hundreds of millions of dollars a year in debit card transaction fees, and are looking to recoup that money by modifying various checking account fees.  Some of the nation's largest financial institutions already have announced a flat $3-$5 monthly fee for debit card use.

The Better Business Bureau is advising you to be on the alert for notices from your bank about changes in the terms of your accounts.  You may want to ask your bank if there are any programs to waive the fee.  Also, it pays to shop around; some financial institutions may continue to offer no-fee debit cards.