![Are Banks Ripping Us Off? Fees Jump To Record Highs](http://townsquare.media/site/29/files/2017/10/GettyImages-632583442.jpg?w=630&h=420&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
Are Banks Ripping Us Off? Fees Jump To Record Highs
Every business exists to make a profit That's capitalism, free market economy, or whatever you care to call it. I'm good with that. Banks, however, are gouging us like Mafia loan sharks. At least that's how I see it. They charge people outrageous fees to access their own money, upon which the bank is earning interest to begin with. Consider this. If a bank pays you 2%, 3% or whatever on your deposited funds, they're certainly making more than that on it. Now, let's talk about those fees. USA Today reports, they're at an all time high. ATM fees in Pittsburgh average $5.19, followed by New York city at $5.14. Cleveland & Washington, DC tied for 3rd ($5.11), followed by #5 Atlanta with an average of $5.05. Want to go to a teller, instead? A lot of banks charge for that. Some months ago, I entered a bank at West Congress & Guilbeau in Lafayette, where I withdrew cash from their lobby ATM, and tried to buy a money order with it. The teller refused. I'm a member of a credit union that refunds ATM fees, and I get free checks.
More From News Talk 96.5 KPEL
![Two Texas Brands Become One In Billion Dollar Deal](http://townsquare.media/site/186/files/2021/09/attachment-tuesday-7-11-Highway-31.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![The Most Common Winning Louisiana Lottery Numbers](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2011/03/lottery.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Would a New Law Really Give Louisiana, Texas Residents $5000 to Buy American-Made Products?](http://townsquare.media/site/180/files/2021/03/GettyImages-cash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![25 Richest Louisiana Zip Codes](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2021/11/attachment-RS9908_122486570.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Georgia Shop Owner Who Paid Employee’s Final Check in 91,500 Pennies Ordered to Pay Almost $40,000](http://townsquare.media/site/33/files/2021/03/man-paid-final-check-in-pennies.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![5 Big Money Tickets Rake In $365,000 in Louisiana Lottery](http://townsquare.media/site/241/files/2020/03/RS25652_GettyImages-637601856-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![TikTokers Have Strong Opinions About the I-10 Bridge in Lake Charles, Louisiana](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/01/attachment-I-10-Calcasieu-River-Bridge-google-street-view.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![WATCH: Would This Viral ‘Texas Gumbo’ Pass a South Louisiana Inspection?](http://townsquare.media/site/36/files/2023/12/attachment-Texas-Gumbo-Pepper-Belly-Pete.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Louisiana Drivers Pay More for Auto Insurance Than 48 Other States](http://townsquare.media/site/180/files/2020/09/traffic-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)