When you write “should be a free service” I feel we’re hitting a disconnect again ;) HAHA! The government regulates the banking business. It tries not to tell banks where they can make their money. Many banks made it free to send paper checks to get people into their electronic banking system. My guess is that in a few years you’ll have to pay to send paper checks! Paper checks are a loss-leader for them. Banks make money on the float (hard in this environment) and transactions. Wouldn’t what you want put them out of business?