Bruin vs Bana Class Settlement 2026: Payouts Completed, Claim Deadline Passed
Quick Answer
- What this is: A $8 million class action settlement over ACH “push transfer” fees Bank of America charged customers.
- How much: Payments were distributed automatically in June 2024 to roughly 1 million class members; amounts varied based on fees paid.
- Deadline: None for you. Final approval was May 14, 2024, and payments were mailed starting June 14, 2024.
You’re searching for the Bruin vs Bana class settlement and wondering if there’s still money to claim. The short answer is no. This case resolved two years ago, the money was distributed, and there’s no open claim window. If you received a payment, it either hit your Bank of America account directly or arrived as a check in the mail.
This guide covers what the settlement was about, how much people got, why no claim form was needed, and what to do if you think you were supposed to receive a payment but never did. One detail that surprises most people: you didn’t have to file anything to get paid. The settlement was structured as an automatic distribution.
The Facts
| Case | Bruin, et al. v. Bank of America, N.A. |
|---|---|
| Court | U.S. District Court, Western District of North Carolina, Charlotte Division |
| Case Number | 3:22-cv-140-MOC-WCM |
| Status | Settled; final approval granted May 14, 2024; payments distributed June 2024 |
| Fund Size | $8 million cash fund plus $21 million in practice changes |
| Est. Per Person | Pro-rata share based on fees paid, minimum $2.00 |
| Claim Deadline | None required; automatic distribution |
| Administrator | Kroll Settlement Administration LLC |
Key Takeaway: The Bruin v. Bank of America settlement is closed. Payments were automatic, no claim form was ever filed, and there is no remaining deadline to act on.
Is the Bruin vs Bana Class Settlement Legit or a Scam?
The Bruin vs Bana class settlement is a legitimate, court-approved class action settlement, not a scam. The case was filed in 2022 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, and the settlement received final approval on May 14, 2024.
If you receive a text, email, or call claiming you need to submit a claim form to get money from this settlement, it’s a scam. The settlement never required a claim form. Payments were distributed automatically.
The settlement administrator was Kroll Settlement Administration LLC, a nationally recognized class action administrator. The official settlement website was achfirstpartyfeesettlement.com, and the final payment notices included information about how to contact the administrator if you had questions.
How Much Did People Get From the Bruin vs Bana Settlement?
Settlement payments were distributed on a pro-rata basis, meaning each class member received a share of the $8 million fund proportional to the ACH First Party Fees they paid and were not refunded. Each class member received a minimum payment of $2.00.
The total distribution depended on how many fees you paid. Someone who paid several ACH transfer fees over the class period received more than someone who paid one. The exact per-person amounts were not publicly disclosed because they varied by individual.
Class members who still had active Bank of America accounts received their payments as direct deposits into the account from which the fee was paid. Former customers received checks mailed to their last known address.
Forum posts from July 2024 confirmed that payments had arrived, with users reporting credits in their accounts . Some users later reported receiving a second distribution in 2025 as remaining funds were redistributed.
Key Takeaway: Payouts were automatic and proportional. If you paid more fees, you got more money. The minimum was $2.00, but most active customers received more.
Reality Check: What the Bruin vs Bana Settlement Does Not Include
Reality Check: There is no open claim form and no second chance to get paid. If you didn’t receive a payment and believe you qualified, the distribution window has closed. The settlement administrator completed its work, the court entered final judgment, and the case is over. Any website or service promising “unclaimed Bruin settlement funds” is a scam.
What Was the Bruin vs Bana Class Settlement About?
The Bruin v. Bank of America settlement resolved claims that BANA improperly charged ACH First Party Fees on push transfers to customers’ own external accounts. These were transfers where you moved money from your Bank of America account to an account you owned at another bank.
The lawsuit alleged that these fees violated the North Carolina Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act and unjust enrichment principles. Bank of America denied wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid the cost and risk of continued litigation.
The class included all accountholders in the United States who, between April 4, 2018, and November 17, 2023, paid and were not refunded an ACH First Party Fee. That class period covered more than five years of transfers.
The case had a complicated procedural history. It started in the Southern District of New York as the Barokas Action in 2021, then was refiled in the Western District of North Carolina as Bruin v. Bank of America in April 2022 after the original plaintiff’s claims were dismissed for lack of personal jurisdiction .
Who Qualified for the Bruin vs Bana Class Settlement?
You qualified if you were a Bank of America accountholder who paid an ACH First Party Fee for a push transfer to your own external account during the class period. The class period ran from April 4, 2018, through November 17, 2023.
Here are the key eligibility criteria:
- You had a consumer checking or savings account with Bank of America
- You paid an ACH transfer fee for a push transfer to an external account you owned
- The fee was assessed during the class period
- The fee was not refunded to you
The class included both current and former Bank of America customers. Current customers received automatic credits to their accounts. Former customers received checks by mail.
No action was required to be included. You were automatically part of the class unless you opted out by March 18, 2024. Only 29 people opted out and zero people objected to the settlement, according to court records .
How Were Payments Distributed in the Bruin vs Bana Settlement?
Payments were distributed automatically starting June 14, 2024, with no claim form required. This was one of the most consumer-friendly aspects of the settlement.
Current accountholders received direct deposits into the account from which the ACH fee was originally paid. Bank of America made these deposits within 45 days after the effective date of the settlement .
Former accountholders received checks mailed by Kroll Settlement Administration within 30 days after the effective date. If a check was returned as undeliverable, Kroll attempted to locate a new address and re-mailed it once.
Any remaining funds after the first distribution were redistributed to class members who successfully received payments. This second distribution happened in 2025. If funds still remained after that, the court would have approved a cy pres distribution to a consumer protection or financial services charity, but no reversion to Bank of America was permitted .
What Happens Next: No Further Action Required
June 2024: Initial payments distributed to current and former customers.
2025: Second distribution of remaining funds to class members who received initial payments.
Now: Settlement is closed. No claim forms, no deadlines, no further distributions.
If you didn’t receive a payment: Contact Kroll Settlement Administration directly. Do not pay anyone to “recover” funds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Bruin vs Bana claim form I can still submit?
No. The settlement never required a claim form, and the distribution is complete. Payments were automatic.
How much was the Bruin v. Bank of America settlement per person?
Payments varied based on the total ACH First Party Fees you paid. The minimum was $2.00. Forum reports showed some users received multiple payments totaling more than the minimum.
Who was eligible for the Bruin vs Bana settlement?
Anyone who had a Bank of America consumer account and paid an ACH push transfer fee to their own external account between April 4, 2018, and November 17, 2023.
What was the Bruin vs Bana class settlement about?
The lawsuit alleged Bank of America improperly charged fees on ACH push transfers to customers’ own external accounts, violating consumer protection laws.
When did payments go out in the Bruin vs Bana settlement?
Payments began June 14, 2024, after final approval on May 14, 2024.
What if I never received my Bruin vs Bana settlement payment?
Contact Kroll Settlement Administration. Do not pay any third party to recover funds. The distribution is closed and the administrator can confirm your status.
Can I still opt out of the Bruin vs Bana settlement?
No. The opt-out deadline was March 18, 2024. The settlement is final and binding on all class members who did not opt out.
Is the Bruin vs Bana settlement still open in 2026?
No. The settlement was resolved in 2024, payments were distributed, and the case is closed.
