Q: Is it legal for a bank to refuse to make change from US Currency? A branch of Wachovia bank in my building (located w/i state of NJ) has stated that unless I open an account with them, with a minimum balance, they refuse to provide change service to me. (ie- give me 5 twenties for a valid US currency $100 bill, etc.) This is the first time a bank has refused to accept US currency from me.
(Is this new? Who do I have to thank for this…!?)
Banks can refuse service to non-customers. This has nothing to do with whether U.S. currency is involved.
Same as a store refusing to make change unless you make a purchase. No one is required to make change for you, under any circumstances.
You should have gone to First Citiwide Change Bank. 
This is when you get to do something like open one of their free checking accounts (most banks have them), make your change, then close the account. Just do it everytime you need change. Banks like that. 
My ex=bank is now charging people a fee for closing any account not open over a year, be it free or fee checking for which you also have to by the checks from them and not a cheeper place.
This was the same bank that a women told me she was glad to see change come in, because they have to buy some every week to provide chance to customers. Their policy is to not take change from non members that bring in like ten pound of change.
A store might change its mind about this if anyone working there has seen “Falling Down.”