I was a Nations Bank customer, but then Bank of America absorbed them so I became a Bank of America customer -- where I have had a checking and savings account. I live in a small rural town and there aren't a whole lot of choices, so I just stayed with them, and it's been an okay arrangement.
But then in September of last year I wanted to refinance our home so we could remodel it and sell it. I started proceeding on it with Bank of America. Five months into it and after spending thousands of dollars, they decided they didn't want to go through with the process and canceled it.
That was the first thing. But besides that, their customer service has just gone down the tubes. They don't even try to accommodate me. So enough is enough. I've opened up a savings account with a credit union and a checking account with a local bank, and am divesting myself of Bank of America completely.
The young lady at IBC Bank where I opened my account was exceptional in her professionalism. At Bank of America, I had to call repeatedly to complain about their service and nothing seemed to change. That bank's attitude is so cavalier it sickens me. As a small business owner, I would never even dream of acting like that.
I went to Bank of America Saturday to close my account but the lobby was closed -- and they wouldn't let me close it at the drive-thru. The next closest Bank of America was a long way away. So I'm just going to close both of my accounts at the same time as soon as I'm able to switch my direct deposit to IBC.
When I close my account I'm going to be sure I walk by the location's manager's office and tell him exactly why I'm closing the account -- I want them to know why they're losing this customer.
While other banks are busy hiking fees, these financial institutions are bucking the trend by offering free checking and other perks.
