[pjc50]

> Disclaimer: Haven't checked the details now.

Well that's dumb. The UK version is fee-free and of course it includes a debit card; how would you use the account otherwise? Passbook account like the 1970s? They don't want you tying up valuable cashier time.

[usr1106]

I assume the motivation was that banks don't have to offer free service and make losses on it, they can charge "a reasonable" price.

In practice they charge less "for good customers", i.e. where they do or at least assume to make more money by selling other products or by paying a non-competitive interest rate on higher balances.

A quick Web search brings up a ruling that a German bank was ordered by court to pay back the fee difference between a commercial account and a basic account. But I understand the practice continues more or less hidden. Few of the basic account customers would claim their rights.

I would guess most basic accounts come with an ATM card.