Fed Cuts Service Fees On Wire Payments

The Federal Reserve Board on Wednesday cut prices on its electronic payment services, which include Fed Wire and automated clearing house products, by an average of 17.5%.

Fed Wire fund-transfer fees will be cut by an average of 35%, saving banks nearly $28 million next year, the Fed said. Fed Wire book-entry securities-transfer fees will fall by an average of 25%, saving banks $1.4 million. The Fed also said it plans modest cuts in fees for automated clearing house services, saving about $6.2 million.

The Fed said a five-year, computer-facility consolidation program had lowered its operating costs, allowing it to reduce prices.

Most of the new fees are effective Jan. 4, although some Fed Wire price cuts do not take effect until Feb. 1.

Paper-check product fees will rise about 2.6% next year, and electronic check fees will rise about 60 basis points, the Fed said.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.
MORE FROM AMERICAN BANKER