METHODOLOGY

This report presents the results of a statewide survey of current surcharging practices at bank-owned ATMs and other related ATM fees imposed by banks. During the months of March and April 2002, NYPIRG field study participants surveyed 106 ATMs owned by 49 different banks in New York State to determine: (1) whether surcharges were assessed, (2) the amount of any surcharges, (3) whether surcharge disclosures included bank advertisements, (4) whether banks assessed a foreign ATM withdrawal fee, (5) the amount of foreign ATM withdrawal fees, (6) whether banks imposed a fee to check account information at a foreign ATM and the amounts of those fees, (7) whether banks charged a fee to replace customers' ATM cards in the event they are lost, stolen or ruined and the amounts of those fees, and (8) whether banks imposed a debit card, point-of-sale fee and the amount of that fee.

Field Study Participants first surveyed bank-owned ATMs to determine whether the banks assessed a surcharge and the amount of the surcharge. Surveyors also documented surcharge disclosures to determine whether they urged ATM users to become accountholders at their banks. If surcharge disclosures included a phone number to call for more information, surveyors called the phone number to document whether they were encouraged to switch their accounts to that bank.

Then, the field study participants visited local bank branches to obtain information about foreign ATM fees to withdraw money and to access account information, ATM card replacement fees and debit card fees. The information was then verified and confirmed by calling bank branches. Every effort was made to ensure the accuracy of the information included in this report.

For the purpose of the ATM surcharge practices, data was calculated based on the number of ATMs surveyed. ATMs owned by the same bank were counted once per borough, city or town where they were surveyed unless they had different surcharging practices. The rest of the ATM fee calculations were made based on the number of different banks surveyed in the state.

Attachments

Survey Form

Result Grid One - ATM fees and practices in the New York City Metropolitan Area

Result Grid Two - ATM fees and practices in Upstate New York