MELBOURNE:Leading law firm, Maurice Blackburn, will file class action against four big banks for charging exorbitant customer fees after the partial success in a court case against ANZ Bank.

Maurice Blackburn will bring the actions against Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Westpac, National Australia Bank and Citibank, head of class actions, Andrew Watson, told a media conference Friday.

The Federal Court, in a ruling this month, found late fees charged on credit cards could be characterised as a penalty and may be legally unenforceable.

Maurice Blackburn said proceedings against the other four banks would be issued in the Federal Court here on behalf of 150,000 customers for claims worth almost A$200 million.

"These class actions are about bringing fairness to tens of thousands of Australians, from mums and dads to small business owners who have all been hit with exorbitant fees from major banks," Watson said.

He said the cases alleged that fees imposed upon customers for overdrawn accounts, late payments, honour and dishonour charges did not reflect the actual cost to the bank.

The law firm's managing director of financial redress, James Middleweek, said Citibank was continuing to charge a monthly A$40 over-limit fee and a weekly A$10 late fee.

The actions are being funded by litigation funder, IMF (Australia) Ltd, on a "no win, no fee basis," the law firm added. - Bernama