Oct. 6 (Bloomberg) -- Vice President Joe Biden said Bank of America Corp. and other financial institutions are “tone deaf” for planning new debit-card fees on consumers.

Biden, answering questions at a forum in Washington, joined with other officials, including President Barack Obama, in criticizing the charges, saying they have provoked an “overwhelming, gut reaction” from the public.

To contact the reporter on this story: Margaret Talev in Washington at mtalev@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Joe Sobczyk at jsobczyk@bloomberg.net