World Bank Fees Flat In 2007, Spain Cheaper

Bank customers pay on average 77 euros ($102.8) a year for day-to-day services.

Bank customers pay on average 77 euros ($102.8) a year for day-to-day services, according to a report published on Wednesday by consultancy Cap Gemini, broadly unchanged on last year.

In the 2007 survey of 180 banks in 25 countries, the consultancy found that the average price for core banking services dipped 0.3 percent. Spain saw the sharpest decline of any individual country, after Santander launched a zero charges campaign and rivals followed suit.

Britain's charges were below the overall average at 71 euros, broadly unchanged on the previous year.

Roughly half those UK charges related to "exceptions handling", including charges like overdraft fees, Cap Gemini said, as opposed to account management and cash utilisation which make up the bulk of charges at its European rivals.

Britain is also one of the countries with the widest range of charges -- from just 14 euros a year for customers who are less active to 116 euros a year for very active customers.

This range could narrow in the coming months as the UK consumer watchdog is expected to rule soon that banks must cut penalty fees for overdrawn customers, prompting lenders to impose charges on standard accounts to recoup lost revenue.

Customers in the Asia Pacific region faced the highest price increase -- 2.9 percent -- but also continued to enjoy the lowest average charges, while U.S. customers continued to face the highest bills, with charges up to 196 euros a year.

Cap Gemini said it worked on the report with bank ING and the European Financial Management and Marketing Association.