We have had much more traffic and reader feedback than we ever expected since the new ATM fee reforms were introduced. The most common theme from the feedback is people are looking for clarity in what an ATM Direct Charge fee is versus what a Disloyalty fee is. I will provide some explanation of what each are, but first I must also define some other terminology around the players involved in the ATM fee game.

Home Institution - the financial institution you do your banking with and who issued you the card you access an ATM with

ATM Operator - the owner or lessee of an ATM machine. These may include banks or independent operators

Home Institution ATM Network- ATMs that are branded by your home institution or are part of an extended network that you can access as if they were operated by your home institution. The extended network may be provided by operators that are part of your home institution’s business group or that your home institution has negotiated with for access rights.

Foreign ATM - an ATM that is not part of your home institution’s network.

ATM Direct Charge fee - The fee you are charged directly by an ATM operator when you use a foreign ATM. You are asked to agree to pay this fee at the ATM before the transaction is completed. Also known as: ATM Operator Fee; ATM Owner Fee; Foreign ATM Fee.

Disloyalty fee - a fee your home institution may charge you for using a foreign ATM. This is over and above the ATM Direct Charge fee you agree to pay at the time you use the foreign ATM. This will appear on your bank statements as a separate charge to the ATM Direct Charge fee. Not all institutions charge a Disloyalty fee.

If you have any further questions or input, feel free to add a comment below.