American banks collected $1.6 billion in overdraft fees in the third quarter. You have to admire a business that checks whether you have money, discovers you don't, and identifies that as a sales opportunity.

Revenue rose 9.4% from the previous quarter to a four-year high, Reuters reports. The industry has found a way to monetize looking between the couch cushions.

Congress and Trump overturned a rule that would have capped certain overdraft fees at $5. It never took effect. Washington protected the banks from the terrible possibility that somebody buying groceries might retain five dollars.

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Consider the service being offered. Your account goes below zero. The bank charges you for that. Your account goes further below zero.

If a lifeguard operated this way, he'd see you struggling and hand you a brick. Premium rescue includes a second brick.

Some banks have grace periods; Citi eliminated overdraft fees. So charging people for being short of cash is a choice. The computers don't become lonely without it.

Meanwhile, Democrats are promising scrutiny of the consumer watchdog. Lovely. Perhaps somebody can ask why a balance too small to buy lunch is large enough to build a business around.

Your account has insufficient funds.

Your hardship has excellent margins.