US President Barack Obama has said Wall Street must repay $US117 billion, to recoup money taxpayers are expected to lose from bailing out the banks during the financial crisis.
The move follows populist anger at banks, seen as being responsible for causing the recent economic crisis, the BBC reports.
Mr Obama said his determination was heightened by reports of "massive profits and obscene bonuses".
He said the aim was not to punish Wall Street firms but to stop abuses and excesses from happening again.
The fee would apply only to financial firms with assets of more than $US50 billion.
There are thought to be about 50 of the institutions, although many did not accept any taxpayer assistance and many others have already paid back what the government lent to them.
The BBC says the cost may be passed on to the banks' customers.
