Survey: Majority of bank customers avoiding fees

“These results prove that most customers responsibly manage their accounts, allowing them free access to a service that ensures their money is safe and available day and night.”

The overall responses on fees were: 55 percent said they pay nothing; 10 percent said $3 or less; 8 percent said $4 to $6; 4 percent said $6 to $9; and 14 percent said $10 or more.

Still, the number of people who pay nothing in bank fees declined slightly in the last year (59 percent reported paying no monthly fees in 2011), mostly because banks say they have to find other ways to make up for lower revenue from interchange fees. 

“While providing free checking accounts has become more challenging in today’s regulatory environment, a competitive financial marketplace, along with prudent account management from bank customers, means most people still pay nothing for the great service banks provide across multiple convenient channels,” Feddis said. 

The annual survey of 1,000 U.S. adults was conducted July 11-17 for the ABA by Ipsos Public Affairs, an independent market research firm.