ATM

Oct 28 2011

Credit unions and other banks offer accounts without fees

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.—Bank of America is reportedly considering ways to scale back its plan to charge most of its customers a monthly $5 debit card fee according to Reuters.

The bank has indicated that it is exploring ways to allow more customers to avoid the fee, including maintaining a certain minimum balance, using direct deposit for paychecks or having a Bank of America credit card. No specific details have been officially announced by the bank.

Sep 30 2011

Other banks to follow

 Bank of America plans to start charging customers a $5 monthly fee for using their debit card to make purchases. The fee will be rolled out starting early next year.
 
A number of banks have already either rolled out or are testing such fees. But Bank of America's announcement carries added weight because it is the largest U.S. bank by deposits.
 

Sep 29 2011

How to avoid losing money

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.—Bank of America has decided to charge its customers a $5 monthly fee for debit card transactions starting in 2012. Other big banks, including Wells Fargo and J.P. Morgan Chase are also testing debit card fees in certain markets.

But plenty of banks are still offering debt card services without a fee. Consumers Union is offering tips to consumers on how they can avoid new fees and what to do if they decide to move their money to another bank.

May 17 2011

Targeted elderly victims

LOS ANGELES, Calif.—A Lancaster man was jailed today on suspicion of following people home from banks and robbing them, a sheriff's spokesman said.

Lee Jones, 41, of Lancaster, is suspected in at least four holdups, sheriff's Capt. Mike Parker said.

Jones was arrested Friday on suspicion of an unrelated crime, then linked two robberies in Glendale and one each in Acton and Stevenson Ranch, Parker said.

Across Black America

Here’s a look at African American people and issues making headlines throughout the country.
 

Alabama
Freeman A. Hrabowski, president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, will address the annual African American Business Council luncheon on June 28. Hrabowski, who is chairman of President Barack Obama’s Advisory Commission on Education Excellence for African Americans, has a national reputation for his work studying the performance of minority students in math and science. Hrabowski, named one of the 10 best college presidents in the country by Time magazine, was a child leader in the Civil Rights Movement in Birmingham in the 1960s.
 

Arkansas
The Liberty Counsel filed a motion and a brief in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas seeking to intervene on behalf of a Concepts of Life crisis pregnancy center to defend against a suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Reproductive Rights. The groups seek to impose a permanent injunction before the Human Heartbeat Protection Act goes into effect July 18. Liberty Counsel also filed a brief opposing the ACLU’s request for an injunction. The “Heartbeat” bill states that when a woman seeks an abortion at or after the 12th week, doctors must test for a fetal heartbeat before an abortion is performed and inform the pregnant mother that the child in her womb has a heartbeat. If a heartbeat is detected, a woman cannot have an abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, and if a mother’s life is in danger. “As we promised when the legislation was introduced, Liberty Counsel will defend this law without reservation for the people of Arkansas, born and pre-born,” said Matt Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel. “No right is more foundational than the right to life. Without life, all other rights are irrelevant,” concluded Staver.