Many major banks waive fees for consumers willing to do business electronically, using the telephone, A.T.M. or Internet.

Other banks may waive the fee on the basis of the balance in only one account.

As for the Ciafones' mortgage, the bank handled the paperwork and waived the closing costs, a common practice in such situations.

Many banks waive the fee for customers with certain types of accounts, or balances at a certain level.

In practice, many banks will waive that amount as a good will gesture.

Some banks will waive their fees for families who need the stem cells right away.

Although Chemical charges $4 a month for the checking account, the bank waives its fee during the summer and entirely for combined balances of $1,000.

The banks have waived protection on an existing $1.5 billion credit, of which $1.2 billion has been drawn.

Cendant said yesterday that its banks had waived provisions requiring it to have audited financial statements.

Revlon says it will ask banks to waive credit covenants next year, and in 2005 it faces large debt repayments.