The Banksters go into the payday loansharking biz......

[marmar]

Banks May Use Payday-Style Loans to Replace Lost Overdraft Fees
By Jeff Plungis


Feb. 23 (Bloomberg) -- U.S. banks may expand their short- term lending at interest rates of 120 percent or more as they seek to replace more than $15 billion in lost revenue because of regulations limiting overdraft fees.

“The smarter banks are trying to resell overdraft protection to consumers as a different product,” said Elizabeth Rowe, group director of banking advisory services at Mercator Advisory Group in Maynard, Massachusetts.

Banks including Cincinnati-based Fifth Third Bancorp, San Francisco-based Wells Fargo & Co., the fourth-largest U.S. bank, and U.S. Bancorp, based in Minneapolis, are already making such loans, usually from $100 to $500, at annual rates of 120 percent if repaid in 30 days. They’re known as “checking advance products.” That puts them in competition with so-called payday loan stores, which make loans with similar terms to customers who generally don’t have credit cards to bridge the gap until the check comes, according to Rowe, whose firm advises banks.

The banks don’t call the advances payday loans because it’s a “very tarnished, negative brand,” said Rowe, who estimates U.S. banks may lose from $15 billion to $20 billion in revenue when Federal Reserve rules take effect July 1. The rules will prohibit banks from charging overdraft fees at automated teller machines or on debit cards unless a customer has agreed to pay for exceeding account balances. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a25EweZDVeAU&pos=6

[gateley]

1. Un fucking believable. nt

[Skink]

2. My account shows how much available for advance each time I log in.

I haven't used it but if faced with a thirty dollar late fee to a credit card because I knew I'd be one day late I'd consider it.

[cutlassmama]

3. Knew they'd find "loopholes" to get around regulations. Fucking greedy SOB'S.

[amborin]

4. Banksters' bonuses increased 17% WSJ

"BY GINA CHON

NEW YORK—As financial firms rebounded last year, Wall Street bonuses for employees in the New York City securities industry rose almost 17% to $20.3 billion in 2009, according to a report released Tuesday by the New York State comptroller.

That is compared to $17.4 billion paid in bonuses in 2008 after a record $42.6 billion loss in the securities industry. The 2008 figure reflected a 47% drop from what was paid in 2007, when securities industry employees received $32.9 billion.

New York Stock Exchange broker-dealer firm members earned a record $49.9 billion in the first ..."

snip

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704188104575083071032525964.html?mod=WSJ_hpp_MIDDLTopStories

[Wilms]

5. k&r n/t