Share:
House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | May 5, 2020 03:35 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative John T. Galloway |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | COVID-19 Waiving fees for remote banking and ATMs |
| During the novel Coronavirus pandemic, many financial services that were once considered a convenience, have become a necessity – whether it is taking a picture of a check to remotely deposit it in our bank, or having to use a drive-up ATM to access our checking account for cash to pay for food or other necessities at our local grocery store or Farmer’s Market. With many bank and credit union branches open by appointment, Pennsylvanians have few choices to access their hard-earned money. At the same time, many Pennsylvania families are feeling the impacts of the virus, through the loss of a family member or friend to this horrible virus, or having to go without a paycheck, as they wait for federal stimulus money to arrive, or unemployment compensation to start. What generally would have been considered annoying fees or charges for remote banking, now almost can make or break a family’s monthly budget. And, while we have heard that many financial institutions already are stepping up to the plate to reduce or waive fees during this challenging time, there is more that we, as legislators, can do to help struggling Pennsylvanians. I am offering a proposal that would ask financial institutions to be part of the solution. My bill would allow us to take steps to waive fees on remote transactions that incurred during the pandemic. My bill would make it a violation of the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law for a financial institution to charge a fee for a remote transaction or use of an ATM that took place from the effective date of this act until 90 days after the COVID-19 disaster emergency declaration issued by the Governor, has expired. I ask for your support in helping hard-working Pennsylvanians to be able to afford to live within the new realities of COVID-19. |
Introduced as HB2581