So, last night at the CMAs, I got a very special Facebook friendship request.

I needed a cab ride back to the station from the Sommet Center downtown. First, a taxi ride nearly twice the distance in D.C. would have been half the price, if I remember correctly. Last night’s cab ride cost me $10.

Second, I should say it was supposed to be only $8, but the driver said he didn’t have change after I told him to keep $9. He actually kept $10 and was so matter of fact about it as he stuffed the bills in his shirt pocket.

Third, it really cost me $13. How’s that? Because the Reliant Bank ATM at the Sommet Center charged me $3 for the pleasure of convenient cash. Let me add this was the first time I had used an ATM in over 6 years.

After I agreed to the ridiculous ATM fee, the machine had the nerve to request my friendship on Facebook. I can only imagine what a nut I must have seemed like to people around me when I blurted out, “Fu hu huh huuuuuu** NO!”

UPDATE 7:51 p.m.: Change: Fed to Ban ATM, Debit Overdraft Fees Without Opt-In - Bloomberg

The Federal Reserve will prohibit banks from charging overdraft fees on automated teller machines or debit cards, unless a customer has agreed to pay extra charges for exceeding account balances.

Financial companies will have to explain overdraft programs and fees, as well as choices available to consumers, the Fed said today in a statement announcing a rule that takes effect next year. Lenders collected almost $37 billion in overdraft fees last year, according to research firm Moebs Services Inc.

…

The final Fed rules will require banks to provide the same terms, including prices, for consumers who decline overdraft protection. The rules take effect July 1. Consumers who decline to join a program may be denied access to cash at an ATM or have their debit-card transactions rejected, the Fed said.