Bangor Savings Bank overdraft fees $2M class action settlement

Bangor Savings Bank agreed to pay $2 million to resolve claims that it charged multiple NSF and overdraft fees on single transactions.

The settlement benefits consumers who have or had an account with Bangor Savings Bank and were charged overdraft and/or nonsufficient funds (NSF) fees between March 1, 2017, and June 6, 2022, on transactions resubmitted by merchants after initial denial or debit card transactions that were authorized with a positive account balance and settled with a negative account balance.

Bangor Savings Bank serves Maine and New Hampshire with services such as online banking, business banking and wealth management.

According to a class action lawsuit, Bangor violates its account terms by charging multiple NSF fees on single transactions and overdraft fees on accounts authorized with a positive balance but processed with a negative balance. 

The plaintiffs argue Bangor account agreements state only a single NSF fee will be charged on denied transactions, even if these transactions are processed or resubmitted multiple times. Similarly, the class action lawsuit notes account agreements promise overdraft fees will only be charged on transactions when there are insufficient funds to cover them.

Despite these terms, Bangor Savings Bank allegedly charged unlawful fees to consumers and injured them as a result. 

“Bangor’s improper scheme to extract excessive funds from account holders already struggling to make ends meet has victimized Plaintiffs and thousands of other account holders,” the bank fee class action lawsuit contends.

Bangor Savings Bank hasn’t admitted any wrongdoing but agreed to a $2 million class action overdraft fees settlement to resolve these allegations.

Under the terms of the settlement, class members can receive a cash payment. 

Settlement payments will vary proportionally depending on the number of fees each class member was assessed. Class members who were charged only one eligible fee will receive a smaller share of the settlement fund than class members who were charged multiple fees.

Class members whose accounts are still active will receive their settlement payment as a direct deposit. 

If a direct deposit isn’t feasible or if class members have an account that is no longer active, they will receive a check in the mail. 

If a class member’s account has been charged off with a negative balance, they will receive their settlement payment as a reduction to that outstanding balance.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is Nov. 22, 2022. 

The final approval hearing for the Bangor Savings Bank overdraft fees settlement is scheduled for Dec. 5, 2022.

No claim form is required to benefit from the settlement. Class members who do not exclude themselves will automatically receive a settlement payment.

Who’s Eligible

Consumers who have or had an account with Bangor Savings Bank and were charged overdraft and/or nonsufficient funds (NSF) fees between March 1, 2017, and June 6, 2022, on transactions resubmitted by merchants after initial denial or debit card transactions that were authorized with a positive account balance and settled with a negative account balance.

Potential Award

Varies

Proof of Purchase

No proof of purchase applicable

Claim Form

No claim form applicable

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Exclusion Deadline

11/22/2022

Case Name

Ethan Churchill, et al. v. Bangor Savings Bank, Case No. BCD-CIV-2021-00027, in the Superior Court, State of Maine, County of Penobscot

Final Hearing

12/05/2022

Settlement Website

ChurchillFeeSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Churchill v. Bangor Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 5357
Portland, OR 97228-5357
info@ChurchillFeeSettlement.com
800-508-4219

Class Counsel

Sophia Gold
KALIEL GOLD PLLC

Defense Counsel

Laura Stoll
GOODWIN PROCTER LLP