Why do banks charge a fee if you use an ATM from a different bank?

The cost of performing an electronic transaction between banks using one of the banking networks (e.g., Interac) is very low. However, a surprising amount of the profit earned by banks comes from the service charges they levy account holders and other users. It costs the bank pennies to perform an electronic transaction; they are much less expensive than providing tellers. Unfortunately, users have demonstrated their willingness to pay high fees for electronic transactions when withdrawing money at a machine that is not affiliated with their own bank. At the present time, fees are levied by both banks involved in the transaction. This was not the case when ATM machines were first widely introduced in the late 1970s. These fees, coupled with significant reductions in the number of staff working directly with account holders, provide a handsome source of profit for the banks.

It is a minor tragedy that uninformed, inexperienced, and, particularly, young users of ATM and debit machines are unaware of or ignore the cost of each transaction they make. The fees are withdrawn automatically from their accounts and are, in effect, 'hidden' charges - the user is usually not immediately aware that a fee has been levied. Such people can easily pay $20, $30, or more a month in transaction fees. These expenses can be sharply reduced by always using an ATM from your own bank (easy to do in Canada, because all major Canadian banks provide services in every province and territory), using cash for the numerous small debit transactions that can be incurred each day (e.g., reducing both the number of transaction fees and eliminating any fees stores levy for using debit cards for small purchases), and by paying for a bank plan - while quietly knashing your teeth - that provides control over the charges (e.g., 50 transactions per month for $10, instead of paying $0.50 to $1.00 for each transaction).

Afterword: stores can quite properly charge you a fee for a small debit transaction when you don't pay cash. The banks charge a fee to the store as well as to the card holder. A $5 purchase may cost the store a $0.50 fee. Stores accept these losses, as well as credit card charges (3% to 5% of the price of an item), for larger purchases. Fees for small transactions may wipe out any profit a store could earn on the sale. They are entitled to pass this charge on to their customers.

ATM charges occur when using an ATM from a different bank because they are allowed to charge for it. If they did not charge for it, then there would not be any incentive for other banks to allow you to use their ATM. You don't have an account with them so they don't make any money from you.

in europe they simply don´t because it was declined criminal. you´re just getting fuckedd..

This is a service of convenience from your bank. its like going to a conveniet drive-in store to buy milk. it costs more, but its closer to your home. convenience. banks make this offer for the convenience of its customers. to cover the costs of operating atms, banks charge you a service fee, usually from $2-4.00, depending on the bank. some states have a cap limit on the amount a bank may charge for atm useage. imagine being in california on vacation. you live in florida and you are out of cash and your credit cards are at the limit. $3.00 is a small price to pay for instant cash. believe me, the banks know this.