Some customers of Bank of America could soon receive compensation as part of a $2.25 million class-action settlement tied to ATM balance inquiry fees charged at certain 7-Eleven locations across the United States.

The lawsuit, originally filed in 2019, accused the bank of improperly charging customers multiple out-of-network balance inquiry fees during a single ATM session, despite customers allegedly making only one balance request. According to court filings, the disputed charges occurred at ATMs operated by FCTI, Inc., a company that manages thousands of machines located inside 7-Eleven stores nationwide.

Plaintiffs argued that customers were unfairly billed repeated fees during the same visit to the ATM, increasing transaction costs without proper disclosure. While Bank of America denied wrongdoing and rejected allegations that it violated consumer protection laws, the bank agreed to settle the case in order to avoid prolonged litigation, mounting legal expenses, and the uncertainty of a trial.

According to information posted on the settlement website, both sides concluded that resolving the case through settlement would allow eligible consumers to receive compensation much sooner than if the dispute continued through the court system.

The settlement applies to certain Bank of America customers who were charged more than one out-of-network balance inquiry fee during the same ATM visit at an FCTI-owned machine located inside a 7-Eleven store between May 1, 2018, and Nov. 16, 2021.

However, not everyone affected will automatically qualify. Customers who previously submitted valid claims and already received compensation in the separate lawsuit Weiss v. FCTI are excluded from this settlement.

Under the proposed agreement, settlement funds remaining after legal fees, administrative costs, and other expenses will be distributed among eligible class members. Individual payment amounts will depend on several factors, including how many valid claims are submitted and whether claimants are current or former account holders.

Some eligible customers may have already received notices about the settlement by mail or email, including instructions on how to file claims or opt out of the agreement.

The settlement has already received preliminary court approval, but it still requires final approval from a judge before payments can be distributed. A final fairness hearing is currently scheduled for Aug. 21, when the court will decide whether to officially approve the agreement.

Consumer advocates say the case highlights growing scrutiny over bank fee practices in recent years, particularly involving ATM surcharges, overdraft fees, and other transaction-related charges that have triggered lawsuits and regulatory attention across the banking industry.

Although the bank agreed to the financial settlement, Bank of America continues to deny any misconduct or liability connected to the allegations.