Not Your Bank, of America.

Ever have a bank that you were happy with? I did. Mine was Washington Mutual.
I liked it because you didn't have to use direct deposit to get it free. It was free. Period. No strings attached. No monthly access fee's. No "how much you use your account fees". Practically you wouldn't get charged for making a left turn on a Friday afternoon if it was overcast. I used to get cashiers checks and money orders for free. I didn't have an issue. Most people don't feel that way, but it's just me. I loved Washington Mutual.

If I deposited a check it would be there that day or the latest the next day. No questions asked.

Now. Washington Mutual became Chase. Because they (Washington Mutual), like other banks-- made risky lending practices and ended up loosing. When Washington Mutual became Chase is where all of my problems started. So I took my stuff and went elsewhere. I researched hard on banks and their fees. The bank that came the closest was Regions. They did have fees, but not as much as every other bank. So I went with them. I didn't really have a problem. I did occasionally, but not on a constant basis.

Now that I am moving to NY I had to close my regions as they are not in NY. I hesitantly opened a Bank of America Account. (I had an account with them before and they fee'd the hell out of me) Granted, I am a single mom. I am on one income. No outside help what so ever. No second job, nothing. I literally have every penny accounted for. I'm not on food stamps. I'm not on Welfare, Section 8, Housing. Nothing. I take care of my business. I literally live from paycheck to paycheck like most people. Except I don't have the affordable luxury of being able to afford things like cable or Internet. I don't have extra money to "give" to bank for fees. I'd rather give it to the less fortunate.

SO!

I opened the account for one reason. That reason was the checks that were issued from my job were from Bank of America. I figured how could I have issues with my account if my jobs account and mine are in the same bank? I was wrong. It all started with my bonus check. They wouldn't cash their own damn check..... Are you KIDDING ME???? Granted I know business are not good these days and their might be an issue. However, last time I checked our company made "The top places to work three years in a row.

How can you pull a three peat two years in a row?

http://www.tampabay.com/news/business/workinglife/top-three-workplaces-new-york-life-american-strategic-insurance-and-st/1163251

It's an (A-) A.M. Best Rated Company.
http://www3.ambest.com/ratings/FullProfile.asp?Bl=0&AMBNum=12150&AltSrc=1&AltNum=&URATINGID=437319&Ext_User=&Ext_Misc

I'm pretty sure you can more than verify that my check will clear.

So my bonus check they wouldn't cash. I advised them to cash a portion and deposit the rest. I didn't need my whole bonus check, just enough to buy Christmas presents.

I left the account open since December. I didn't take any money out or put any in. I started getting a $8.95 "access fee". If I took money out of my savings more than three times a month I got a fee. Granted I didn't use my savings as a "savings" acct. I used it to hold my bills so I wouldn't use it. I would then pay my bills from my savings account. Got a fee for that. My question is since when is it your business what I do with my money? Since when should I get penalized for using my own money?

I deposited my payroll check with them and they put a hold on it. Granted they tried this before and I told them simply "No" and they didn't. This time I deposited through an ATM and they got me. Held my Payroll check for 3 business days and one non-business day. (4 days all together).

I got a 3 day notice from my apartment complex because I didn't have the full amount to pay it. (Late Fees)
I got a late fee on my car payment and I couldn't even look at my light bill due to the racked up late fees that I incurred.

I barely have any food in my fridge.

So I called Bank of America Saturday, they said they couldn't do anything as the ATM is in a different "system" and can't take off the hold. I go in on Monday and talk to someone who pretty much told me the same thing (after waiting almost 20 minutes to be seen). Finally I tweeted my frustration and got a response from their "tweet team". I spoke to her on Monday and she took the hold of on Tuesday as a "courtesy" and reminded me that Bank of America has the right to hold any checks that are turned in to them.

According to Bank of America, it's whenever they feel like it. Because they can tell you when, where, and how you can use or access your money. You do not have control over your money. They do. I  cant understand how they think that's right. So, I decided I was going to go bank commando. No bank especially Bank of America is not going to screw me for nothing.

So I wanted especially thank Bank of America for being OK with holding my check and also withholding food from my sons mouth.

I would like to thank Bank of America for the courtesy of allowing me to incur all of my late fees due to them holding the check.

I would like to also thank Bank of America for making me a true believer of why I will NEVER bank with them and possibly any other bank at least for a long time. Let's see how long I can hold out.

Being a responsible person is important to me. Not living beyond my means is important to me. It's kind of hard to be that way when you have a bank controlling your hard earned money at the end of the day. "Just Because".

Well as of tomorrow I will no longer be a Bank of America Customer. "Just Because"