More B of A Fees to Come

After ditching plans for a $5/month debit card fee, Bank of America is working on other plans that may result in new fees for customers.

B of A is testing new monthly fees on checking accounts, and fee programs may go nationwide. As is the case with most banks, customers should be able to avoid the fee by meeting certain criteria such as:

• Keeping a large balance at the bank
• Having paychecks deposited to an account electronically
• Using multiple bank services (getting a mortgage, for example)

You've heard for a while that free checking is harder to find. This is another example of how banks are trying to figure out how to charge for services that used to be "free." For most banks, the challenge is to remain profitable without alienating customers (and potential customers).

Keep an eye on your bank accounts and watch for fees. If they pop up, learn how to avoid new fees -- whether you stay put or transfer your accounts.