The world has really changed. No one buries their money in the backyard or sews it into their matress anymore. Banks are a necessary part of life.

And many of them know it. You probably have complained about your ATM transaction fees. Many banks are charging high fees for services that were once free. If you find that you are paying high fees for your banking, you might need to shop around.

It is nice to establish a long-term relationship with your bank. Start by inquiring about lower-cost checking and savings accounts with your current bank. Tell them that you value your relationship with them, but are looking to cut your costs.

Why does the bank charge fees? After all, they make interest on loans, right? There are a lot of expenses for banks. If the bank has teller staffing or personal banking services, they are charging you a nominal portion of what this costs them. While most banks would prefer you to do your business online, by automated phone or by ATM, they realize that many customers need the human touch.

To train an employee, provide competitive pay and benefits, pay for the bank building and uniforms, etc., it would cost the bank around $3 for every transaction you make. It is much cheaper for the bank if you use the electronic methods, which may cost between $1 to $2 per transaction.

In fact, many banks are offering their customers lower fees for doing their banking electronically. Most ATM's will only charge you around $1 per transaction. Having your paychecks electronically deposited costs the bank around 25 cents. Internet transaction may cost as little as a dime.

By turning to these alternative means of banking, you are showing that you as a customer cost the bank less than other customers. Ask about alternative banking methods and how they can cut your bank fees.

If you just need the bare necessities of checking,

many banks offer free checking accounts that are sufficient. And don't assume that fees don't ever change. I paid $12 a month on a checking account for service fees, when a year before the fee had been dropped to $6 for the same type of accounts. Check once a year to see if there are new types of accounts with better fees offered by your bank.

Don't be afraid to shop around. Yes, long-term relationships are nice, but not so frequent in today's world. Personally, I have found that long term business pays off with small local banks, but not so much with larger national banks. I have used the "I've been a customer for over a decade" with each and found that the local bank always rewards this while the national bank often refers to pre-set standards or other excuses. If you are looking to remain a customer of the bank, simply open up a savings account with the bank and move your checking to a cheaper, new bank.

Don't let bank fees be a drain of your money. Use your bank's ATMs to withdraw money without facing extra charges. Those little dollars can add up to hundreds a year. Sit down and figure out how much you are paying in fees every year and then start looking for ways to reduce them. Think of it as putting money back in your cookie jar.

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