Are you unable to open a checking account? You may thank the government (as well as the media, particularly the New York Times). The two have waged a war against overdraft fees for the last decade. There have been many new regulations and actions designed to increase the cost and reduce the revenue banks receive from overdraft fees. Any economist can tell you that when you put a price ceiling in place, a shortage will develop. In this case, the shortage is expressed as fewer bank accounts being opened, particularly for people likely to re-bounce (a term I just invented). Continue Reading →