NR 99-101
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                  
Contact:   Robert M. Garsson  202-874-5770
November 5, 1999                                                          
     

                OCC Supports Challenge to Ban on ATM Fees
                                    
WASHINGTON -- The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency today
filed a brief with the U.S. District Court for Northern
California in connection with the litigation challenging local
ordinances that would prohibit banks from charging fees for
automated teller machine usage.

In the brief, which is attached, the OCC notes that the National
Bank Act authorizes national banks to set and charge fees for ATM
services and therefore preempts contrary state and local laws
such as those which San Francisco and Santa Monica recently voted
to adopt.

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The OCC charters, regulates and examines approximately 2,400 national banks and
59 federal branches of foreign banks in the U.S., accounting for more than 58
percent of  the nation's banking assets.  Its mission is to ensure a safe and
sound and competitive national banking system that supports the citizens,
communities and economy of the United States.