The reason they want bill pay is for a couple reasons.

1: Often times they have a contract deal and make money off of each use. They’re hoping to hook you on it.

2: Checking accounts originally start off the bank with a loss (banker that opens the account gets paid, any free items offered, specials). Only after consistent use by the customer will the account prove profitable; even more so if they use other services. Banks have found that when they crossale or give a customer multiple relationships they stay with the company longer.

This is kind of a bummer for the consumer/customer since no bank has the best products on every front. However, every bank tries to get them to use all their products. Have a horrible checking account (one that requires a minimum balance over 100…) so what? get them to open it. Have a mediocre investment affiliate? who cares. Sell it to them.

In the end people need to realize that its a salesman before them, not their friendly banker they so believe. They may like them just fine, but they’re trained to sell and rarely competent enough to understand the financial consequences.