7 February 2001

Bank Heeds Hockey's Call For ATM Fee Disclosure

Another bank has heeded the call by Financial Services Minister Joe Hockey for the disclosure of fees when using Automatic Teller Machines.

Bank West said today it would put fee warnings for non-customers on its ATMs.

Bank West's announcements follows a similar move by Westpac yesterday.

On Friday, Minster Hockey called on all banks to put fee warnings on their ATMs.

Currently, if a person uses an ATM, and they are not a customer of that bank, they are charged a fee, However, this fee is not disclosed at the ATM. Westpac and Bank West ATMs will soon carry this fee disclosure.

"Banks need to do more to better service their customers. Providing consumers with a warning about foreign ATM fees is a good first step and allows them to make an informed choice, rather than being hit with an anonymous fee."

"I call on all other banks to issue fee warnings on their ATMs."

"Australians need to be better informed whe using bank services."

A copy of Minster Hockey's original comments on ATM fees is available at www.joehockey.com