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Not Your Typical Bank
If you live in the North-Eastern United States, you have probably seen the commercials on television for Citizens Bank, where employees go beyond the call of duty to get your ATM card out of the cash machine or explain your loan conditions while passing through the car wash. When I opened my account at the local branch, I asked the manager about those commercials - he swore to me that those were real stories and the he has himself made such extraordinary efforts for customers.
One day (in July 2007) I had dropped my car off at the mechanic then walked to the bank to make a deposit, on my way to work. Once at the bank, I discovered that this branch has different hours than my normal branch; such that the counter was not open yet, but the drive-thru was open. Being that I had to get to work, I couldn’t wait the 45 minutes for the doors to open. Instead I walked through the drive-thru.
I patiently waited for the customer in front of me to complete their transaction and then I walked up to the window. I put the completed deposit slip, several checks, and my identification in the tube and waited for the teller to process my transaction. After a few minutes, she returned to the window and advised me that this is the drive-thru and she cannot help me since I walked instead of driving.
Most Convenient Bank
In January 2007, I opened a checking account at Commerce Bank under the premise that there would be no fees for one year, then after there would be no fees with a minimum $100 balance. Bear in mind, this is what the account manager told me and showed me in a pamphlet on his desk. After opening the account, I was given my copy of the documentation and a copy of the information packet, including the terms and conditions of the Checking Account.
I reviewed this information that night and found a schedule of fees that conflicted with what I remembered being told and reading at the branch. I called the account manager the next morning for clarification. He reassured me that there would be no fees for the first year, etceteras.
This account was to replace my current bank which started restricting counter visits and increasing fees. It would take a couple months for my direct deposit to go through work’s payroll and me to adjust my budget accordingly.
My January statement had a $15 cycle fee. I called the branch and they refunded the fee. I was apprehensive about this, so I didn’t submit my direct deposit change yet for work.
In February, there was another $15 cycle fee. I called the branch; they refunded the fee and advised me that the cycle fee occurred because the account was under the $100 balance threshold ($85 balance) for one week - that week was the time it took from the last cycle fee to when I saw it on my statement. I deposited additional money into the account when it became available, but I hadn’t turned in my direct deposit change due to my concerns.
Well, in March, there was another cycle fee. This time, my balance didn’t go under $100. This time when the branch refunded the $15 cycle fee, I was told it was the last time they would do it.
Come April, my balance the entire month was above the $100, but yet I had another cycle fee.
I closed my Account in May!
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