Injunction Against Ban on ATM Fees Is Upheld

Bank of America Corp., Wells Fargo & Co. and other banks can continue charging non-customers to use automated teller machines in San Francisco and Santa Monica, a federal appeals court ruled. The U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a preliminary injunction granted in November that temporarily bars the cities from enforcing ordinances banning the fees. The order remains in effect until a trial can decide the question. The banks and the California Bankers Assn., an industry trade group, had sued the cities, claiming the municipal ordinances conflict with power the federal government has granted to banks. San Francisco City Atty. Louise Renne said the city will continue its legal fight to save the ATM-fee ordinance.