SunTrust Faces Georgia Class Challenging Overdraft Fees

SunTrust Bank must face a certified class of Georgia customers challenging its overdraft fee policy, the Georgia Court of Appeals affirmed March 6.

The class action waiver in the bank’s customer agreement isn’t enforceable under state law and therefore doesn’t bar class status, Judge Elizabeth Gobeil wrote for the court.

The class includes over 1,000 customers who were charged a $32 or $36 fee on overdrafts under $500.

Jeff Bickerstaff Jr. sued SunTrust alleging the bank’s overdraft fees constitute unlawful interest charges under Georgia’s civil and criminal usury laws. The fees are interest charged by SunTrust on money advanced to ...