Banking Services: Changes in Fees and Deposit Account Interest Rates Since Deregulation

GAO reviewed issues related to basic banking services, focusing on: (1) changes since 1977 in banking fees and deposit account interest rates; (2) the effects of these changes on consumers at various income levels; (3) steps banks and savings and loan institutions, or thrifts, took to provide essential banking services at little or no cost to low-income consumers; and (4) other consumer options for obtaining essential banking services.