But because these fees were so lucrative for banks, this could also mean that we are nearing the end of free checking and other consumer perks.

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By the end of my two years I was checking 24 things on my chart every day.

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According to Goodwin, a customer's checking his bank balance is a great cross-selling lead (awaiting a year-end bonus, perhaps?), and cost-conscious banks that forward callers to outsourced operators may be missing the plot.

FORBES: Magazine Article