"Bank Transfer Day" and the Free Market

Rather than picketing in the street, blocking traffic, one angry customer took out her frustration against her bank on Facebook.

To her surprise, a massive number of people friended her cause.

"Bank Transfer Day" has swelled all over alternative magazines and by word of mouth. Rather than settle for five-dollar debit fees, consumers in large banks like Bank of America have threatened to take their business elsewhere. Credit Unions have gained significantly in popularity because of this move. These financial institutions have no interest in charging people for checking or debit purchases. Practicing sound policies regarding deposits and investments, credit unions did not get caught up in the toxic debt crisis which swallowed Lehman Brothers and later Washington Mutual.

This is the power of the free market and the consumer who shops around for the best deal in the public square. Demanding change from the top down is not effective, let alone successful in the long run. Occupy Everywhere must take note of the more salient features of appealing for change on line and with individual consumers spending habits.

Because of the "Bank Transfer Day" movement, large banks have backed off the increase in debit card fees. Reading the trends in the marketplace, large financial institutions perceived their move to cull more revenue as foolish and costly in the long run. If only Occupy Everywhere would consider similar ventures, perhaps they could articulate a more coherent message, engage a wary public, and encourage meaningful change that will protect consumers without the further aggrandizement of the government.