It is the public policy of this State to promote the economic viability and prosperity of its residents and to promote, attract, and encourage savings. The General Assembly finds and declares that access to basic banking services for basic depository transactions is necessary for the payment of monthly expenses and for the encouragement of thrift by Vermont consumers. The General Assembly further finds and declares that reasonable cost basic banking services promote savings on the part of consumers who are young, old, or have low income, and provide, through means of payment by check, draft, negotiable order of withdrawal, or similar instrument, a viable alternative for cash transactions which is essential to all Vermont consumers. Therefore, it is the purpose of this chapter to ensure that basic banking services remain available to all Vermont consumers. (Added 1999, No. 153 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. Jan. 1, 2001; amended 2013, No. 96 (Adj. Sess.), § 25.)