I know the consensus is to use debit cards at ATM's while traveling. This is just a FYI, and by no means a suggestion. Yesterday I (an account holder)was quoted an exchange rate of $1.278 for euro's plus a $6.50 delivery charge to the local branch. So much for personal banking!

Actually that is about a 4% charge which is a good rate for that type of transaction.ATM can be 5 dollars plus 1-3%.Euro is currently 1.23 or so.RR

Robert
I took the deal, mainly because I was spending too much time on it. I still feel that in this climate of traditional banks losing business to internet banks, this is the sort of service that would keep our loyalty. Their debit card international policy is 3% plus $15 fee per use. At this point, I wonder why I should continue to bank at WF.
Jim

Have you thought about a traditional ATM card vs the debit card? When I last checked (WF) it was 3% on international ATM transactions - I don't recall the $15 per transaction (for the ATM).

Following a suggestion that I found elsewhere on Slow Talk, I opened a checking account with my on-line broker. Reading the fine print of the terms and conditions, there doesn't seem to be a charge if I use their debit card. I'll let you know how that works out.
Jim

Bank of America charges $5 for use of an international ATM, for each transaction, plus the 1% transaction fee, plus whatever fee the particular ATM operator might charge. Whew.

In May, the Wells Fargo per transaction fee was $5, not $15. Has that changed?

KT, I was quoted $15 in April at Well Fargo. This is for a debit card withdrawal.
I opened a checking account with E-trade and used their debit card in May and June in Venice and there was no transaction fee.
Jim

Hmmm...Well, I always get confused about terminology with debit card, ATM card, etc., and maybe Wells-Fargo does, too. Anyway, I just looked on their website and here's what it says:

"Wells Fargo will assess a $5 fee for ATM cash withdrawals made outside of the United States and a 3% foreign currency conversion fee for purchases made with your Check Card."

Actually, I found that to be too much and opened second checking account elsewhere just to get better foreign ATM terms. (No transaction fee, and just the 1% Visa-system-wide conversion fee.) But I ended up using my Wells card, which I'd brought as backup, only because my travelling companion's ATM card didn't work and I floated her with money from my Wells account. The charges did show up as $5 on the statment.