Banking

The automated-teller machines used by most banks generally offer 24-hour customer service, but less often for free. According to the Bank Administration Institute, an industry trade group, by year's end 63% of banks with ATMs are likely to impose charges for the use of their money machines. Some charges are hefty: 75 cents per transaction at Chase Lincoln Bank in Rochester for using another bank's ATMs, or $1.50 at Pittsburgh's Mellon Bank for using a nationwide ATM system.

Such fees could backfire. Since instituting them four years ago, a number of Texas banks have seen a slowdown in the growth of ATM use. As a result, Dallas-based MCorp is dropping charges as of Sept. 1 for customers using its ATMs.