I'm going to quote this verbatim, maybe just adding some bold and italics for emphasis.  This came from my bank today:

Sovereign Santander Bank.

SKIP YOUR NEXT LOAN PAYMENT AND FREE UP SOME CASH: 

Dear____________

Re:  loan # ending  in _____

As a valued Sovereign customer with  an excellent credit history you qualify for our special, limited-time Skip-A-Pay offer.  Since finances are often tight this time of year, we're offering you the option to skip your next loan payment* and use the money for back-to-school  expenses, a late summer vacation, or just to have some extra cash in your pocket.

To skip your next loan payment,  simply fill out the Skip-A-Pay Certificate below and return it with the $35.00 processing fee.  For your convenience please use the enclosed postage-paid envelope to accept this offer.  If you're using a coupon book, please don't throw away the unused coupon.  Instead, keep it in the back of your payment book as a reminder that you deferred a payment and the the final maturity date will be extended by one month.

It's simple to get the money you need this summer.  All you have to do is sign and send in your special Skip-A-Pay certificate today and skip your next loan payment! If you have any questions, feel free to call us at _____________________

Sincerely, (etc. etc.)

  When I finish this, the letter gets composted and the envelope gets mailed back empty.

Oh yes... the fine print (it really is smaller) on the coupon itself

I've enclosed my check for the $35.00 processing fee.  I understand that my loan will be extended one month  beyond the  maturity date for the monthly payment I skip. Interest will continue to  accrue on  the entire outstanding balance, including  the month I skip my payment.  As a result, my final payment will most likely be larger than my regular monthly payment amount.  My final payment will be determined by my payment record.

So I can pay $35.00 for the privilege of owing more money than I would otherwise later on.    I suppose this is an answer to recent financial reform legislation. 

It makes me understand why bankers have been popular villains for generations.  Curse you,Smedly Pewtree.   So thanks, but no thanks Sovereign.