national penn bank national penn bank, kutztown national penn bank pennsylvania bank national penn is a Rip off ... they live on over drafts i would stop banking there ASAP. national penn bank in kutztown, Pennsylvania

nor do I typically reply when I feel the bank did no wrong.

I am here to prove to the bank defenders that I can be fair..and see all sides..and I can rebut this customer in a polite dignified manor..not yell at them or speak in a tone like I am their parent..because I have no vested interest in a case like this..I wonder why some others seem to?

Anyhow..correct. In this case it was not a rip off. I know you feel the fees are high for overdrafting..and that may be changing with some banks in the future...but in this case the bank simply charged you overdraft fees for legitimate overdrafts as per your agreement with them. Going by the limited information you posted..they performed no slight of hand..no manipulations..no underhanded unnecessary re-sequencing of transactions..they just charged a fee for a service provided..which they lovingly call "automatic" courtesy overdraft protection. If you choose to use this service..the bank will charge the fee for it, and have every right.

Granted it is a very high rate of interest and if this was a short term loan..it would be illegal..but since this is considered a "courtesy service"..they can charge any fee they want.

You have several options..of course one is to be careful not to overdraft..goes without saying. No overdraft..no fee. But you can also hedge your bets by following this advice AS WELL.....

1) Shop around..you will find some banks will now allow..or will be allowing 5-10 dollar overdrafts to be covered free of charge..if you make a deposit to cover it in a reasonable time. This doesn't give you a free pass to be careless and not keep track..but if you are off by a very small amount..at least the bank in this case is being reasonable and more then fair..so I say it's a very good policy for it's customers.

2) You will find banks that allow you to opt out of courtesy overdraft protection. Your bank may as well..just request it and see what they say. Some may think this step is not needed since why should the bank be responsible for your handling of money..but I look at it this way...why should the bank assume you want overdraft protection..if you are going to complain about the fees...sound fair?

When you CHOSE to use the bank's money (the 5 purchases at $3 each) you CHOSE to accept the $25-$35 overdraft fee that they charged you.

If you don't want to pay the fees, then don't spend THEIR money.

You shouldn't be spending $15 if you didn't have $15.

Use CASH, then you won't have to worry about the banks "ripping you off".