NYC Council President To Meet Banks on ATMs

Vowing to fight ATM fee limits, the New York Bankers Association requested a meeting with New York City Council Speaker Peter F. Vallone, who said late Wednesday that he would be willing to talk to the bankers about his proposal for anti-surcharge legislation.

Mr. Vallone plans to introduce a bill banning ATM fees next week and wants hearings to begin in December.

New York's two biggest banking companies, Chase Manhattan Corp. and Citigroup Inc., began charging fees to noncustomers this year. A Chase spokesman said the bank would defend its right to charge. Public momentum against ATM fees has gained since San Francisco voters passed an anti-surcharge ordinance.

That and a similar law in Santa Monica were temporarily blocked on Monday by a California court. The U.S. Public Interest Research Group said it has fielded queries from an "overwhelming" number of city councils interested in drafting similar bans. -- Helen Stock

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