Banks
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Bank Of America
41 Beacon Street
Framingham, MA
(508) 879-1800
On 06/15/10 13:21, quoth Gary Zaino: > We're tired of being nickle and dimed by Bank of America and a failed > credit card dispute is the last straw.
I'm feeling cranky today, so I'd like to throw in my $.02 to also vote against BoA.
When I was a kid, I was taught about how checks work, and as part of that education, I was raised to understand that the signature in the bottom right is really the most important thing. Woe be it unto him who signs a blank check and then loses it! The principle here is that the amount and the Pay To The Order line can be filled in by anyone, or, any thing, (like a typewriter).
The other day, I stood in line for over 15 minutes at the BoA branch over at 9/126/30 while tellers were serving a whole raft of people who were processing large amounts of cash. That machine was just riffling away like crazy, and it didn't work, so they had to count everything at least 15 times. (I could have done it much faster by hand.)
Mind you, I do not have an account with them, but it was convenient for me to cash these two checks there, and they were drawn on that bank. How hard can this be?
One of the checks, unbeknownst to me, did not have the PTtO line filled out, and that's when the fun began.
Teller: I'm sorry. We can't cash that check. The PTtO line isn't filled out. Me: Not a problem. I'll just fill in my name. T: No, the whole check has to be filled out in the same hand. N: I believe that's not true. Anyone can fill that in, even you, even a typewriter.
(We did not come to a meeting of the minds. I guess writing this is really all the revenge I'll ever get.)
Mind you that BoA is also requiring a *fingerprint*, and if it's a commercial check, then there's a $6 cashing fee! (That may explain why the non-english speaking people in front of me were pumping huge wads of cash through.)
Personally, I see the legal requirement of a bank to take its own check as being somewhat sacrosanct. It sure used to be that way. Today with flimflam artists running rampant, and almost no one being held accountable, they claim that they can set their own policy. I see it that their own policy is why we're in this mess in the first place. In fact, "their policy" didn't used to be up to them at all.
Epilogue: I called another BoA branch, spoke with the manager, and was told that had I come to his branch, he would have called the maker and confirmed that I really was not Boris Badinov. I also called the branch manager of the original branch in question, who insisted on convincing me that my entire childhood education was faulty.We're tired of being nickle and dimed by Bank of America and a failed credit card dispute is the last straw. We're looking to change banks and are looking for suggestions. The majority of our savings are in an ING account, so just basic checking with an on-line bill pay option will suffice. Bonus points for any place that reimburses for ATM fees.
Steve Orr 6/17/10
DCU (Digital Credit Union)
60 Worcester Road
Framingham, MA 01702-5312
508-820-1163
https://www.dcu.org/infodesk/bnch_atm/map-framingham.html
We have also been members of DCU Credit Union, on Rt. 9E, in the back of the complex with Legal Seafoods and Jos. Banks. While not the most convenient place, there are usually no lines.
I like their online website and they do reimburse ATM fees. You can even deposit checks online via their website.
I'm very happy with DCU (Digital Federal Credit Union). Good rates (even for business accounts), friendly tellers at the branches who get to know you.
Eileen Callahan 6/17/10
NMTW Community Credit Union
969 Concord Street
Framingham, MA 01701
(508) 620-1776
httyp://www.nmtw.org/
RUN, don't walk, to the NMTW Community Credit Union on Concord Street in the Old Connecticut Path Village (before the light at the Y, on the right, in the same plaza with J&M Diner and Styles & Smiles). We have been with them for about 25 years and are happier with them every single day. As a credit union they don't get bought and rebought and they are insured differently than the banks so you don't have to worry about your cash disappearing. They are also a not-for profit institution so their fees - the few they have - are totally reasonable AND they are heavily invested in the community.
You will LOVE LOVE LOVE them!
Brenda Crawshaw 6/15/10
My husband also loves NMTW Credit Union in the Old Path Village strip mall on Concord St. There is someone there that has a phenomenal memory for customers.
Deb Cleveland 6/16/10
USAA's bank
You don't have to be a member to use the bank. They have free checking with ATM fees reimbursed, on-line bill pay, and the best customer service in the industry (USAA has won numerous JD Power awards for their customer service). Their credit cards have low rates. They are FDIC insured.
Marie Egan 6/16/10