FED:Customers chase two more banks on fees

AAP General News (Australia)
02-01-2012
FED:Customers chase two more banks on fees

SYDNEY, Feb 1 AAP - St George and Bank SA are the latest Australian banks to be taken
to court by customers angry at the fees they are charged.

Legal firm Maurice Blackburn Lawyers on Tuesday filed a claim against the two banks
in the Federal Court to help thousands of customers claw back what they claim are unfair
fees.

The firm has previously launched similar action against National Australia Bank, ANZ,
Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Westpac and Citibank.

It's acting on behalf of customers outraged at exception fees the banks charge for
late payments on credit cards and having insufficient money in business and personal transaction
accounts.

Maurice Blackburn senior associate Paul Gillett says they are in for a long fight to
recoup the fees plus interest.

"Everyday Australians are sick of the banks taking them for granted," he told reporters
in Sydney on Wednesday.

"And they are sick of the banks throwing their weight around and sick of the banks
making massive profits while they do it.

"Maurice Blackburn is doing what it can to try and get some of that money back for
families and small businesses around this country."

More than 10,000 St George and Bank SA customers are party to the bid to recoup $16
million in fees.

The latest action follows a $50 million claim the law firm launched in September 2010
on behalf of ANZ customers trying to claim back exception fees.

In December 2011, action was launched against National Australia Bank, Commonwealth
Bank, Westpac and Citibank.

It is the biggest collective action in Australian legal history.

AAP bt/cdh/jmt

KEYWORD: BANKS

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