After debit-card fee victory, beware of more subtle bank charges

Alan Diaz / AP

By Allison Linn

The big backlash against debit card fees appears to have paid off, but consumers may not want to pop the Champagne corks quite yet.
Bank of America said Tuesday it would drop its widely criticized plan to add a $5 monthly debit card fee after many of its rivals dropped similar plans,  many of which were in the testing phase.
"We have listened to our customers very closely over the last few weeks and recognize their concern with our proposed debit usage fee," David Darnell, co-chief operating officer for B of A, said in a statement.
But experts say the industry's retreat means that banks will look for other, more subtle ways to make up for the money they’ve lost because of recent regulatory changes.
“Yeah, this is a victory for consumers, but heads up: We’re going to be seeing some type of other fees,” said Bill Hardekopf, CEO of the credit card information website lowcards.com.

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