Until now, debit cards have usually been a free part of a basic checking account.

WSJ: Bank of America, J.P. Morgan Experiment With Checking Fees

The new Treasury pilot program will provide consumers a debit card that has many features of a checking account, such as free bill paying and free ATM withdrawals at select machines.

WSJ: Tax Refunds Move to Debit Cards

Bank of America, the largest bank in the U.S. based on the level of deposits, is testing a new fee structure for its checking account service which used to be free.

FORBES: Bank of America Could Nickel And Dime Its Way To $16

Because overdraft fees basically subsidized free checking for all, the push to reduce them is forcing banks to reconsider how they charge for checking account services overall.

FORBES: Banking