Bank of America, the largest U.S. bank, said Thursday it is dropping a requirement that forces consumers with disputes on credit cards and other accounts into arbitration.

The change means unhappy customers will be able to file lawsuits against the bank when they believe they have been treated unfairly or illegally.

It follows the decisions last month by two big arbitration firms, the National Arbitration Forum and the American Arbitration Association, to stop accepting new cases.