Annual surcharge estimate in billions: The lower percentage of surcharging ATMs means the estimate of annual surcharge costs to consumers is lower than in each of the past four years.

Based upon the latest Bankrate data as well as GAO data on the number of ATMs and noncustomer transactions per ATM, the 2004 annual cost estimate of ATM surcharges comes to $2.015 billion.

The estimates for the past four years were $2.036 billion in 2000, $2.074 billion in 2001, $2.104 billion in 2002, and $2.105 billion in 2003.

However, it is still 35 percent higher than the 1999 estimate of $1.49 billion and more than the double the 1998 estimate of $0.986 billion. ATM surcharges, coupled with the fee for using a non-bank ATM, still remain a significant cost of using a non-bank ATM, especially for small withdrawals.

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-- Posted: Dec. 8, 2004