The days of free banking are over. Banks are now introducing monthly fees on deposit accounts, starting at 60-80 cents per month. While this fee may seem insignificant to most account holders, it represents a substantial and recurring revenue stream for banks. This shift in strategy marks a new normal, where maintaining a basic bank account is no longer cost-free. National Bank and Alpha Bank are leading the charge, testing customer reactions to the monthly fee and attempting to include all customers in a basic package with a low monthly fee. The Privilege Account from National Bank and the myAlpha Benefit Base from Alpha Bank both charge €0.80 per month, but are accompanied by the free provision of specific services that complement the free or low-cost transactions imposed by the government in 2025 through legislative regulation. Eurobank's My Blue Advantage transaction package preceded this initiative, offering some benefits for €0.60/month. Piraeus has yet to make any such move. This trend raises questions about the future of banking and the impact on consumers. Will this be the new standard, and how will it affect those who rely on basic banking services? The discussion is open, and we invite you to share your thoughts in the comments.
