BANK CUSTOMERS FORK OVER $15B IN FEES IN 2016

Americans paid $15 billion in fees for bounced checks and other overdrafts last year, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said. Almost half of Americans who’ve had a checking account have been charged an overdraft fee at some point. The average consumer overdrafts more than twice a year and coughs up $35 in fees each time, said a study released Tuesday by personal finance website NerdWallet. Those who overdraw frequently waste much more, to the tune of $442 a year, according to NerdWallet’s analysis of CFPB data.