The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has unveiled a proposed rule this week aimed at alleviating the burden of bank overdraft fees for millions of Americans. According to the CFPB, a loophole would be closed in the Truth In Lending Act that allows the exemption of the fees.
President Joe Biden, championing the cause, asserted that the new rule could slash the average overdraft fee by more than half, potentially saving the average American family approximately $150 annually.
“That would add up to save families $3.5 billion every year. Unfortunately, some Republicans in Congress continue to defend these exploitative fees,” the President said.
“When companies sneak hidden junk fees into families’ bills, it can take hundreds of dollars a month out of their pockets and make it harder to make ends meet. That might not matter to the wealthy, but it’s real money to hardworking families—and it’s just plain wrong,” Biden stated.
According to the CFPB, over 23 million households grapple with overdraft fees each year. The proposed benchmarks of $3, $6, $7, or $14 for overdraft fees aim to establish fair and transparent standards in the financial landscape.
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