Banks Resume ATM Service in Santa Monica

Bank of America and Wells Fargo have resumed ATM service for non-customers in Santa Monica, after the city’s suspension of an ordinance that prohibited banks from charging fees when customers of another bank used their automated-teller machines. Last year, Santa Monica became the first city in the nation to ban the ATM fees, prompting the two banks to restrict their ATMs in Santa Monica to customers only. The banks challenged the law in federal court and a San Francisco judge struck down the city ordinance. The city is appealing that decision. Earlier this month, Seattle-based Washington Mutual took a different stance on the ATM fee controversy, announcing it would drop its ATM fee for non-customers.