America's most loyal bank customers

At a time when many frustrated consumers are giving up on their banks, some remain loyal to their financial institutions. Despite acquisitions and the rise of online banking, these seven customers have held onto the same bank account for at least 40 years.

Helen Hayduska
Helen Hayduska
Customer since: 1935 (76 years)
Age: 95
Bank: Wells Fargo (formerly Stockyards National Bank)
Hometown: Omaha, Neb.

I started going steady with my boyfriend when we were still in high school, and after we graduated he decided we were going to get married. I said: 'If we're going to get married, we better have a savings account.'

So he opened one at what was Stockyards National Bank at the time, then we got married. He got his name on the bank book because he opened it. A couple months later, I signed my name on the bank book, too. He died 27 years ago, so now it's only my name on the book.

After we opened the account, he put his whole salary into it every week, which was $5 a week. Six months later, we had $50 in there. So when we rented our first house for $20 a month, we only had $30 left! But we somehow kept that account going for all these years, even if it was just $2 or $3 we had in there.

I go to the bank at least once a month now, and I bring a note with me with how many twenties and fives I need. It's about five blocks away so it only takes me two minutes to get there. I don't go to the ATM, and I don't think I have a debit card -- though I might.

I did set up direct deposit for my Social Security payments, though. A man named Bill down at the bank spent a whole afternoon with me helping me understand it.

So the next time I went to the bank I brought everyone donuts -- because we're famous for our donuts in Omaha. So now they all call me the 'donut lady.' They've always treated me good. That's why I want to stay with them.


By Blake Ellis - Last updated September 15 2011: 11:20 AM ET

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