ABA Banking Journal
Rep. Randy Neugebauer (R-Texas) today introduced H.R. 5465, a bill that would repeal Dodd-Frank’s Durbin Amendment, which institutes a cap on debit interchange fees charged by institutions with $10 billion or more in assets. Neugebauer noted that as a result of the Durbin Amendment, some banks reduced their free checking account offerings, increased account fees and instituted higher minimum balance requirements.
“What the Durbin Amerndment did… was artificially shift over $30 billion in revenue from one industry to another,” Neugebauer said. “Instead of promoting free market principals and technological advancement, such as enhanced data security capabilities, the Durbin Amendment was nothing more than a government action to manipulate the marketplace. This legislation will restore competition in the marketplace, remove arbitrary government price caps, and ensure consumers have affordable access to basic banking services.”
ABA expressed strong support for the bill. “When the government picks winners and losers in the marketplace, consumers lose. The Durbin Amendment has distorted the market to the detriment of small businesses, consumers and banks of all sizes,” said ABA President and CEO Rob Nichols. “Retailers would rightfully oppose laws setting the price of milk or paintbrushes in their stores. After a half decade of trial and failure, we hope Congress will allow this divisive and outdated retailer giveaway to fade into the rearview mirror.”