BANK of Ireland has the most expensive fees and charges while TSB is the cheapest, according to a survey from the Consumers Association of Ireland.

A survey in the July issue of, Consumer Choice, the Consumers Association monthly magazine found that Bank of Ireland topped the table for charges and fees while TSB was the cheapest for fees and Ulster Bank was the cheapest for charges.

The banks have until August 13th to give details of their current fees and charges to the Director of Consumer Affairs Mr William Fagan, under the Consumer Credit Act. After that they will have to pay up to £25,000 for an applications to increase fees or charges, the magazine points out.

It has called on Mr Fagan to reject any such applications, given the "considerable" fees already paid by customers.

Bank fees cover transactions such as cheques, ATM withdrawals, direct debits, standing orders and lodgements.

The survey on tees concentrated on the standard cheque book current account with overdraft facility. Over a year, it assumed 60 ATM withdrawals, 28 from other banks' machines 92 cheques 10 paper lodgements 36 direct debits 12 standing orders and four account maintenance fees.

This basket cost £59.70 with TSB and £71.12 with Bank of Ireland. ACC would have charged £61.99, NIB £63.56, AIB £65.72 and Ulster £69.16.