The legal landscape of consumer banking — especially in the age of online banking, transfers, and ACH payments — can be complicated and often opaque. Fees and charges that seem minor in isolation can accumulate, leaving customers feeling deceived or unfairly charged. The class action lawsuit known as “Bruin v. Bank of America, N.A.” (often shorthand: “Bruin v Bana”) aims to address a specific grievance: certain bank transfer fees allegedly imposed unfairly on account holders. Through this lawsuit and the resulting class-action settlement, impacted consumers may be eligible for compensation — and a dedicated hotline (1-833-933-5580) has been established to help them understand their rights and claim any owed amounts.
In this article, we dive deep into the origins of the case, who qualifies, how the settlement works, what it could mean for bank customers, and what you should realistically expect. We also explore the broader significance of this settlement in terms of consumer rights and banking practices. Whether you think you qualify or simply want to understand how such lawsuits work — this guide is for you.
1. Background: Why Did This Lawsuit Happen?
The core issue in the case centers on fees assessed by Bank of America, N.A. (“BANA”) for ACH transfers — specifically, “push transfers” from a BANA account to an external account owned by the same account holder. In other words: customers transferring their own money from their Bank of America account to another of their external accounts. The lawsuit, filed as Bruin, et al. v. Bank of America, N.A. (Case No. 3:22-cv-140-MOC-WCM), alleged that these fees — dubbed “ACH First Party Fees” — were unfair, particularly because many customers may not have been aware they would be charged, or may have assumed such transfers would be free. achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2settlementhub.org+2
According to the settlement website, the relevant time period (the “Class Period”) spans from April 4, 2018, through November 17, 2023. achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+1 During that time, accountholders who paid — and did not receive a refund for — these types of fees for push transfers may have been harmed by the bank’s fee practices. achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+1
The plaintiffs — led by individuals such as Tami Bruin and Eline Barokas — sought justice not only for themselves but on behalf of a broader “class” of similarly affected customers. Class actions like this allow many individuals to band together, making it feasible to challenge a large financial institution without each person needing to file a separate lawsuit. achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2settlementhub.org+2
From BANA’s perspective, though it disputed that it did anything wrong, accepting the settlement likely avoided protracted litigation, uncertainty, and further costs — a common motivation in large class-action settlements. achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2
Thus, Bruin v Bana arose from a fundamental consumer-versus-bank dispute: were these transfer fees justifiable — and were customers informed properly beforehand? The settlement suggests the bank chose to resolve these concerns via compensation rather than continue litigating.
2. What the Settlement Offers: Money, Relief, and a Clean Slate
Under the terms of the settlement, BANA agreed to establish a Settlement Fund of $8,000,000. achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2 Once attorneys’ fees, costs, administration expenses, and any service awards to class representatives are paid, the Net Settlement Fund — the remainder — will be distributed among all qualifying settlement class members on a pro rata basis. achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2
Qualifying account holders are those who, during the Class Period, paid ACH First Party Fees for push transfers to their own external account and did not get refunded those fees. achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2
If the settlement is approved by the court (which it was), distribution of payments began in mid-June 2024 — via direct deposit for current account holders, or by mailed check for former customers. achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2settlementhub.org+2
Another element of relief is that BANA agreed to stop charging these specific ACH “push transfer” fees for the five years following the settlement — effectively reforming their practices so future customers aren’t subject to the same fees. Kbsd6+2achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2
In effect, affected customers receive both retrospective compensation and a guarantee of fairer treatment moving forward — a dual benefit that reflects the typical goals of consumer-class-action settlements.
3. Who Qualifies — Are You Part of the Settlement Class?
Determining eligibility for the settlement requires checking a few specific criteria:
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You must have held a consumer checking or savings account with Bank of America, N.A. during the class period (April 4, 2018 – November 17, 2023). achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+1
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You must have been charged and paid an “ACH First Party Fee” for a push transfer from your BANA account to your own external account. achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2
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You must not have received a refund for that fee — only those fees that were paid and never reimbursed count. achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+1
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Exclusions apply: BANA itself (and its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, officers, directors, employees), any individuals who timely opted out of the settlement, and any judges or their immediate family assigned to the case. achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+1
If you received a notice from the settlement administrator, that indicates BANA’s records consider you a “Settlement Class Member.” ClassAction.org+2achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2
To verify eligibility, the recommended process is to check your bank statements for relevant ACH transfer fees during the class period. If you’re unsure or don’t remember the specifics, you can call the settlement hotline at 1-833-933-5580 — the number provided for inquiries and claims. settlementhub.org+1
It’s worth noting that not everyone who had a Bank of America account automatically qualifies: only those who paid the disputed transfer fees and did not receive refunds are part of the class. For many customers, these were small but recurring “push-transfer” fees — and the settlement aims to remedy those cumulative charges.
4. How to Claim (or Confirm) Your Settlement Payment
One of the things that sets this settlement apart is its relative simplicity in claiming compensation — for many, no action is required. According to the settlement administrator, if you are eligible and stay in the class (i.e., you did not opt out), you should automatically receive a payment once the settlement is finally approved. achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2banawiretransferfeesettlement.com+2
Here’s how to proceed:
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Check whether you received a Notice — typically via mail or email. This Notice includes a “Class Member ID” and confirms that you are included in the Settlement Class. secureforms.krollsettlementadministration.com+2ClassAction.org+2
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Review your bank statements — look for ACH transfer fees (push transfers) between April 4, 2018, and November 17, 2023 that were not refunded. If you find relevant fees, you likely qualify.
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Wait — or contact the hotline. Because this settlement used bank records to identify class members, many payments are distributed automatically. If you have not received your payment (direct deposit or check), call 1-833-933-5580 to inquire. achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2settlementhub.org+2
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If you opted out — you won’t receive a payment. Opting out preserves your right to sue BANA separately, but removes eligibility for this settlement payout. achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2
Because payments have already been distributed (as of June 2024), if you haven’t received anything, it’s prudent to call the hotline and confirm whether you are a class member — or whether there were processing issues.
Keep in mind that the settlement administrator is Kroll Settlement Administration LLC — the company authorized by the court to manage this distribution. Their mailing address (for correspondence) is: P.O. Box 5324, New York, NY 10150-5324. secureforms.krollsettlementadministration.com+2achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2
5. Why This Settlement Matters: Beyond the Money
At its core, the settlement is about more than just reimbursing fees. It signals broader issues — and potential reform — in how big banks handle transfers and communicate fees to customers. For many consumers, transfer fees are small, infrequent, or buried in fine print. On the surface, they may not seem unfair. But over time, especially for active users of bank transfers, such fees add up, raising questions about transparency, fairness, and ethical banking practices.
By agreeing to pay $8 million and committing to stop charging the disputed fees for five years, Bank of America effectively acknowledges — or at least concedes for the purpose of settlement — that their practices warranted scrutiny. Kbsd6+2achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2
For customers and public watchdogs, this outcome underscores the power of collective legal action: rather than requiring each consumer to fight individually (often an expensive, uncertain, and slow process), class-action suits allow many to hold a large institution accountable, together.
Moreover, this case can serve as cautionary tale — and lesson — for bank customers: always read fee disclosures carefully, especially when engaging in transfers, external account linking, or less-common services. What seems like a “convenience fee” or “transfer charge” may accumulate, and in some cases, may not be justified.
Finally, for the banking industry at large, this settlement may promote greater transparency and push other institutions to review their own fee practices. It may encourage fairer terms for consumers, or at least clearer disclosures — a benefit extending beyond just the class members in this one lawsuit.
6. Potential Limitations & What You Should Realistically Expect
While the settlement provides real benefits, it’s important to set expectations. There are several factors that may limit how much any given individual receives:
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Pro rata distribution: Because the $8 million must be shared among all qualified class members (after costs), individual payments may be modest — especially if many customers are eligible. Indeed, some publicly shared information suggests individual payments could be small depending on the number of transfer fees you paid. settlementhub.org+2lawsuitnotification.com+2
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Deduction of fees and costs: From the total fund, attorneys’ fees, administration costs, and service awards are deducted before the net amount is distributed. achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2
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Not all customers qualify: Only those who paid the specified ACH “first-party” fees during the class period, and did not receive refunds, are eligible. If you didn’t pay such fees — or you got a refund — you’re out of the class.
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Some may have opted out: Customers who chose to opt out of the class are not eligible to receive payments. If you opted out, you forewent the settlement payout, possibly to pursue individual litigation instead. achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+1
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Small individual amounts: For many class actions of this type, the per-person amounts are relatively small — sometimes only a few dollars or tens of dollars — especially if the fee each paid was modest. The value for many is not large, though the principle of fairness often matters more than the amount.
In short: the settlement offers a meaningful opportunity for reimbursement — but it’s not a windfall. It’s a corrective measure, and often modest. If you hope for a large payout, it’s wise to temper expectations, especially if you only incurred few or small transfer fees.
Nonetheless, for some customers — especially those who frequently moved money between accounts — this payout could add up. And, perhaps more importantly, the settlement may spare future customers from similar fees, which could be a significant long-term impact.
7. What to Do Now — Practical Advice for Potential Claimants
If you believe you may qualify, here are concrete next steps:
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Gather your bank statements for the period from April 4, 2018 to November 17, 2023. Look for ACH push-transfer fees to external accounts.
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Check for past notices or emails from the settlement administrator or class counsel. These often include an ID number or a claim form — useful for verifying membership in the settlement class.
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Call the settlement hotline at 1-833-933-5580 if you are unsure whether you qualify, or if you haven’t received your payment but believe you should have. The hotline is staffed to answer questions about eligibility, payment status, and claims. settlementhub.org+2achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2
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Be realistic about the amount: If you only paid one or two small fees, expect a modest payout. If you transferred funds frequently and incurred many fees, your share may be more noticeable.
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Keep documentation — even after receiving payment. For personal record, tax purposes, or future disputes, it’s smart to save copies of notices, payments, and correspondence with the settlement administrator.
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Stay alert for possible scams or phishing attempts. Real settlement correspondence will reference the case name, the authorized administrator (Kroll), and the toll-free hotline. If someone contacts you with demands for extra fees or asks for sensitive personal information beyond what’s normal (bank account, account number, claim ID), proceed with caution.
8. Broader Implications: What Bruin v Bana Means for Banking and Consumer Rights
The significance of the case extends beyond individuals reclaiming small fees. It represents a growing pushback against hidden or unclear banking practices — a demand for transparency and fairness in financial services. Large institutions like Bank of America often handle millions of accounts, and fees can accumulate across actions (transfers, overdrafts, foreign transactions). When such fees are buried in fine print, customers may inadvertently pay more than they expect.
By publicly settling and agreeing to change their practices (i.e., eliminate certain fees for a set period), BANA not only addresses past grievances — it also sets a precedent. Other banks may preemptively review and revise their own fee structures to avoid similar lawsuits.
For regulators, consumer advocates, and the public, Bruin v Bana serves as an example of accountability. It shows that class-action lawsuits remain a viable tool for collective redress, especially when many individuals are affected by the same alleged wrongdoing.
It also sends a message to banking customers: vigilance matters. Reviewing statements regularly, understanding terms and fees, and questioning unclear charges are essential habits. The power of “the little fee” becomes evident when aggregated over time — sometimes justifying lawsuits and settlements.
Finally, this settlement underscores how legal mechanisms designed for group redress can balance the power dynamic between large banks and individual customers. By banding together, consumers can challenge institutional practices that would be impractical to litigate individually.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the “Bruin v Bana” settlement?
A: It is a class-action settlement resolving a lawsuit against Bank of America for allegedly unfair ACH transfer fees (push transfers) assessed between April 4, 2018, and November 17, 2023. Eligible account holders who paid those fees and were not refunded may receive compensation. achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2
Q2: Who is eligible for payment under the settlement?
A: Consumers who held a checking or savings account with Bank of America during the Class Period, paid “ACH First Party Fees” for push transfers to their own external account, and didn’t get a refund. Excluded are the bank itself, insiders, those who opted out, and others as described in the settlement agreement. achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+1
Q3: How much money will I get?
A: The total settlement fund is $8,000,000. The payout per person varies — it depends on how many people are eligible and how many qualifying fees each paid. After deducting legal and administrative costs, the remainder is shared pro rata. achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2
Q4: Do I need to file a claim or fill out a form?
A: Not necessarily. The settlement administrator used bank records to identify class members, so many eligible individuals receive payments automatically. However, if you believe you qualify but haven’t received payment, you can call the hotline (1-833-933-5580) to check. achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2settlementhub.org+2
Q5: What if I opted out of the settlement?
A: If you opted out, you gave up your right to participate and receive payment. But you preserve the right to file a separate lawsuit against Bank of America for the disputed fees — though that carries more risk and time. achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+1
Q6: Why did Bank of America settle rather than fight in court?
A: Large companies often settle to avoid the cost, risk, and reputational damage of prolonged litigation. Even if they believe they acted correctly, settlements can be a pragmatic way to resolve mass claims. In this case, BANA likely weighed those factors and chose settlement. achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com+2lawsuitnotification.com+2
Conclusion
The “Bruin v Bana Class Settlement 1-833-933-5580” represents an important moment for bank customers, consumer rights, and class-action accountability. What began as a lawsuit over so-called “ACH First Party Fees” — relatively modest bank charges for money transfers many customers may not have realized would cost extra — resulted in a multi-million dollar settlement and changes to banking practices.
For qualifying account holders, the settlement offers both restitution and relief. Even modest payouts may represent overdue compensation for fees many accepted without question at the time. For future bank customers, the commitment by Bank of America to end these particular fees for a period signals a change in how institutions may approach transparency, fairness, and customer trust.
Yet, the settlement also reminds us of the limitations inherent in such class-action resolutions: individual payouts may be small, and not all affected customers will benefit. The process relies heavily on accurate records and timely communication. But even with these caveats, Bruin v Bana stands as a win for collective consumer action — a demonstration that when customers band together, they can challenge large financial institutions and effect real change.
If you think you might qualify, now is the time to check your records, review any notices, and, if needed, contact the settlement hotline at 1-833-933-5580. You may find that what once seemed like small, harmless fees were not so harmless after all — and that justice, though modest, is possible.