@Bill - Thanks for bringing that up. I felt it was a glaring omission from the story. Personally I don't have a problem with the $14 fee (or more typically $7 or $9 fee). I lived in The Bush prior to these services, so I know that the alternative to the fee may be no ATM access at all. 

The better question is why do local people regular pay these fees without flinching? Many rural AK folk are "unbanked" similarly to rural folks in many African countries (they do not have easy access to physical banks, and often lack the knowledge or capital to establish banking or credit services). They know no other system. And the benefits of this system outweigh the costs. 

Also, money is seen differently by "villagers". It is more often given/received than earned, and is often seen as largely "disposable/recreational" instead of an asset or non-perishable reserve. "Easy come, easy go."