In fact, the balance fell by $35.7 million, to $129.5 billion.

If the balance falls below that, there is a $1 monthly charge.

Four free questions will be the limit for customers whose balance falls below the required minimum for their accounts.

If a balance falls below that amount, the fee is $10 a month, he said.

The minimum balance for free checking on some interest-bearing accounts has fallen to $1,500 from $2,000.

But the balance has now fallen to $269 million, well below the required $500 million minimum, an official said.

The more idle balances fall, the more money will be available for spending.

A $10 maintenance fee is assessed when an account's average daily balance for a given month falls below $500.

Under the agreement, Iran was required to replenish the account if its balance falls below $500,000,000.

Over the three years through 2002, account balances fell only 2 percent, annualized.