The cost of running an ordinary bank account has risen explosively over the last few years, the consumer association said on Thursday.

ABN Amro customers are now paying 161% more to operate their accounts than they did in 2003, the association said. Rabobank and the Postbank have put up their prices by 110% and 79% respectively over the same period, reports ANP news agency.
A further rise in costs is unacceptable, the association said and called on the major banks to freeze tariffs for the next five years. The increasing use of electronic payments and internet banking have saved the banks considerable amounts of money, the organisation point out.