Index: Of Bank Chor

As of 2025, the Index of Bank Charges is no longer a single number but a bifurcated metric. For , the index remains high due to unarranged overdraft APRs between 35% and 49.9% (e.g., Santander, NatWest). For middle-income customers , the index has stabilized near zero—provided they remain in credit and avoid international transactions. However, a new frontier is rising: foreign exchange and ATM fees . Digital challengers (Monzo, Starling) offer zero charges, while legacy banks (Barclays, HSBC) charge up to 2.99% on non-sterling transactions, inflating the index for travelers. Furthermore, the opportunity cost index —lost interest on current account balances—has risen to an effective 4–5% annually due to base rate increases, meaning consumers now pay indirectly through foregone savings.