Banks getting richer off the poor

http://money.msn.com/debt-management/banks-getting-richer-off-the-poor-forbes.aspx

Banks getting richer off the poor
As new banking regulations limiting debit and credit card fees take effect, some banks are recouping their money by targeting those least able to afford the cost.

It's not easy being a big bank these days. Consumers hate them, shareholders have beef with them, and regulators can't figure out what to do with them.

At the end of the day, though, a bank's gotta do what a bank's gotta do: make money. But how banks go about making that money is one way to differentiate them. The New York Times recently wrote about a few banks out there looking to boost business by offering products laced with loads of fees and plenty of interest to low-income consumers.

Some banks, namely U.S. Bank, Regions Financial and Wells Fargo, are luring low-income consumers to sign up for things such as prepaid debit cards and payday loans -- products that typically come with all sorts of fees and charges, The Times reports. Why are banks courting these customers with pricey products? Well, besides the obvious (fees), the products themselves weren't subject to the regulatory overhaul brought on by the Dodd-Frank reform act. That leaves more room for banks to make money in an environment where doing so has become more difficult.

The Times story features David Wegner. He makes about $1,200 a month and is looking for a checking account. He ends up at U.S. Bank, where he is offered all sorts of financial products geared toward low-income consumers. The branch offered him prepaid cards, check cashing and short-term loan options. He tells The Times that he felt he was being treated like a second-tier consumer.

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