My checking account has been on the positive side the past several months, but due to my domestic partner's unemployment this month, my balance got down to $. 85
I forgot about a check I wrote several weeks ago, and it cleared yesterday. The bank paid it, but because I only had 85 cents in my account. They charged me a whopping $25.00 for paying the check. They never contacted me to suggest I deposit a buck or two in my account to avoid these charges, they simply fined me about 1200% to pay around $2.00.
This is the email I sent the Branch President. I am still awaiting a response. I have had similar problems with Banner Bank in the past. They fine my account overwhelming fees for paying out amounts less than a few bucks.
I know, I KNOW, I need to switch banks. I'm just lazy. I have three separate direct deposits accounts per month with this bank and two separate automatic withdrawls from this bank. It would be a major pain in the ass to switch all that, but I know I really need to do it. I have accounts at three other banks so I don't need to open any new accounts, just do the paperwork to do all the switching.
I have asked Banner Bank in the past to review my account and refund the huge fines when I make a large deposit (usually over $1400 to $2300) within a day or two of their fining my account. I ask this when the amount they have to pay out is only a few bucks and the deposit is made the same day (YES, THE SAME DAY) or within just a day or two of their fining my account. They did this one time over a year ago. It's happened about four or five times now. They are completely rigid and unforgiving about their imposing their fines. Regardless if they only had to pay few bucks or a deposit is made the same day or within a day or two.
If you live in Washington State, and you're shopping around for a new bank, I strongly recommend you avoid Banner Bank. They have a few nice tellers at the Kent Branch, but most other Branches (Downtown Kennewick, Columbia Center, Bellevue, Madison Street, Everett) are unhelpful, sometimes rude and unprofessional (particularly downtown Kennewick) and will not go "that extra mile" to provide outstanding customer service, or, in the case of the downtown Kennewick Branch, any customer service whatsoever.
Last year I traded a few emails with the Branch Manager at the downtown Kennewick Branch and made an unsuccessful attempt to enlighten him as to what constitutes "customer service". Unfortunately, my honest efforts fell on deaf ears and he justified the unprofessional and rude behavior of his employees. He felt that no changes were necessary and basically brushed me off.
Again, stay away from Banner Bank. I have great experiences with Washington Mutual and the Boeing Employees Credit Union (available to everyone who resides in Washington State). So, I know it's not the banking industry in general who treats their long-term customers like crap. It's Banner Bank who doesn't appreciate their customers.
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