I think Vteckidd and blank.cd both have some good points. I agree with Vteckidd that we should expect banks to pursue profits in the face of any regulation and if people don't like a bank's policies, customers must vote by switching banks. The free market is built this way and there is nothing wrong with the bank's new policy in my opinion. The banks being forced to charge directly for debit cards is a good thing because that cost went from an invisible cost to a visible cost for consumers. Transparency is a good thing!

blank.cd makes a good point in that financial services (such as debit cards) are becoming more and more of a necessity these days. The government should be watching the financial industry to make sure this particular market which has become such an integral part of modern society is acting fairly and transparently. Furthermore, we don't have a perfect free market. Free market principles rely on the ability for companies to vigorously compete. However, there are huge barriers to entry to compete with these massive banks. The government must ensure that these banks are truly competing and not simply muscling out smaller banks.