Sutori - Stories Tagged With 'banking'

ING Direct: sticking it to the monster banks

Fri, 11 Aug 2006 15:56:38 -0700

I have a secret. A virtual mattress, under which I stash virtual money. Money that's hidden from the evil financial pricks at the monster banks (Royal Bank, in my particular case).

I've been a Royal customer since I was about 12. Far from a high-roller, I've got at least a respectable number of years of active clienthood under my belt, from basic savings to credit cards and RSPs.

Here's the thing. They don't know me. They don't need me. They simultaneously ignore and harass me. When I went to them for a mortgage, I think I heard one of them snort under his breath.

They send me, my cat, my cat's fleas and my cat's butt-dreadlocks offers for $50,000 gold Mastercards. They call us during suppertime. But can I reach my local branch to talk to someone when I need to? Frig no. "Of course not," they say, incredulous.

I haven't defected yet. I will once the mortgage is required. In the meantime, I've become addicted to ING Direct, the online bank. You can have an account open in a matter of moments, with no fees, decent interest and - the best f*&*&ing part - no junkmail and telemarketing calls. Open as many accounts as you want - personal, business, whatever.

It's easy. It feels good - both to pay oneself (to save) and to take a teensy piece of the pie away from the monster banks.

I really do mean teensy, but it matters to me just the same.

That was fast.

Sat, 22 Sep 2007 15:16:20 -0700

I usually find dealing with the bureaucracy of Lloyds hard work and their recent decision to refuse to give receipts for deposits made in branch had lowered my opinion of the company.

However, this week, I messed up and lost my debit card between buying lunch on Wednesday and heading out that evening.

I called and cancelled the card straight away and requested a replacement. I was delighted when the replacement card arrived this morning, just two working days later. Well done Lloyds.

Now about your call centres...

DON'T KEEP THEIR WORD

Sat, 16 Aug 2008 02:44:28 -0700

Go with caution if you decide to do any business with this bank.

I was recommended by the current Construction and Renovation company that I currently have an attorney to handle a scam case, to use this bank. (Contact me if you want to know which Construction and Renovation company this is and I will be happy to tell you who owns this company. This company is located in Canton, GA and only has a local Business License with the City. Is not registered with the Secretary of the State).

The loan officer (original office) at a local bank, told me that they could give me the money I needed to have remodeling done to my home. This same Loan Officer told me that I DID NOT HAVE TO HAVE A CHECKING ACCOUNT TO APPLY AND GET THE LOAN.

Then I found out that someone at the Bank was providing the Construction and Renovation, the person that referred me to Flagstar, with the status of my loan without my approval. And there was the possibility of violation of the personal confidentiality.

I took this to Flagstar Corporate office and someone there took over my loan process. In the meantime no one, I mean no one said anything about having a checking account with them. Then when it came time to close, Flagstar bank representative told me that I could not get the loan unless I got a checking account and that the account had to be used. By this, I had to do all my checking with them.

I informed the Corporate Flagstar Rep that the original Loan Officer at their Bank SAID, "YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE AN ACCOUNT TO GET A LOAN." The Corporate rep said too bad and denied me the loan.