Opinion: Fight corporate America with where you keep your money
To the community,
To make a big impression on the big financial institutions, primarily Bank of America and Wells Fargo, move your business to a smaller, local bank; refinance your mortgage with a local lender; do all you can to avoid any business with the “robber barons”.
Doing this on a nationwide scale might make them appreciate us.
It will hurt.
Lynne Bajuk, South Lake Tahoe
My accounts were with BofA from 1986 till about 6 months ago. Moved to El Dorado Savings. The atm’s are a little primitive, but EVERYTHING else about the bank more than makes up for it!
This article does a good job of breaking down why you should take Lynne’s advice
http://www.alternet.org/occupywallst/152887/10_reasons_bank_of_america_is_the_most_hated_bank_in_america/
The title “Fight Corporate America” is troubling – Corporate America are the job creators in this country, always have been. I understand the grief with “some” of the banks and always in favor of doing business locally, always. Just dislike the flavor of making Corporate America sound evil. That’s left to the folks sleeping in the Oakland parks, not for me.
I was rethinking my accounts with Wells Fargo as I came across this story. I have no problem with “Corporate America”…my problem is getting “nickel & dimed” to death. We all need to make a profit, but more and more small fees are popping up everywhere in my life. I’m serious when I say, I don’t know how many software/online and bill pay fees that I pay every month. My online paperless statements, which are supposed to save money and resources are actually costing me more and more money. I will check out the locally owned banks and or credit unions on Monday.
Al..I appreciate corporate America (I’m thrilled with my Chevron stock), but I have 2 run-ins with Wells Fargo..lost 1 and won 1.. their home loan people are terrible!! Just try to talk to a real person! I dropped B of A after 30 years of loyalty when they started changing the rules.. I’m with El Dorado Savings now and they are easy to talk to, easy to understand.. as close to warm and fuzzy as you can get in banking!!