# I pit the Bank of America **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 1, 2026, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-bank-of-america/1028098 "2026-03-01T03:09:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-bank-of-america/1028098/21 "2026-03-01T21:05:13Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > My local credit union (and several other local CUs that I’m aware of) belongs to some network whereby any ATM with their symbol on it has free transactions. I don’t recall the name, but it’s worked for me across the country. It looks like there are several different such networks: Allpoint, CO-OP, and MoneyPass (at least). Some of my local credit unions are members of several of these. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2026, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-bank-of-america/1028098/22 "2026-03-01T21:28:38Z")
> [@Folacin](#): > > They annoyed pissed me as they began closing branches meaning my safe deposit box had to move. The last time, they either failed to notify me or I missed the notification and getting my stuff back was a major pain. The local BoA branch near me closed a couple years ago, which was annoying, but there’s another branch about the same distance from my home so it wasn’t a big deal. It’s not as close to my normal stores so it’s a bit less convenient, but I don’t have to go to a branch often anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2026, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-bank-of-america/1028098/23 "2026-03-02T02:53:33Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > My local credit union (and several other local CUs that I’m aware of) belongs to some network whereby any ATM with their symbol on it has free transactions. All of the larger convenience store chains around here have free ATMs; they worked a deal with one of the super-regional banks for this year/decades ago, most likely because it drives foot traffic into the store, where undoubtedly other purchases are made before some of those bills made it into one’s wallet. When the kids were very little & wanted something they were like, go to the [convenience store chain] & get some cash out as they weren’t yet able to grasp that one needed money in one’s account to get it out; as they got older they knew, by smell, when I had gotten money out, mostly from the Dunkin Donuts container in the store that would permeate my clothes despite being in there for 30-45 seconds. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2026, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-bank-of-america/1028098/24 "2026-03-02T03:09:35Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > That’s a lot of red flags, and as much of a pain in the ass as it might have been, it’s good that they’re vigilant. Yeah, I mean I really feel for the OP, that was tough and unfair, but think how pissed you’d get if someone got a card thru fraud. A true nightmare. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > That’s yet another reason to not “share” bank accounts. Don’t let your aging parents put you on their account so you can e.g. easily pay their bills with their money. Good advice. > [@hajario](#): > > That said, BofA has a decades long reputation of being horrible. The bigger the company, the more the complaints. As banks go, BofA isnt bad- but it is hardly a shining example of customer service either. > [@kenobi\_65](#): > > With some exceptions, the big national-level banks (Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, etc.) tend to have average-to-poor customer service, especially for individual consumers (as opposed to corporate accounts), and are more likely to have policies which make life difficult (and expensive) for their customers. [Wells Fargo, in particular, has been awful in recent years.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wells_Fargo_cross-selling_scandal) In general, yes, a bit exaggerated but not wrong. However I have had nothing but good service from Wells Fargo. > [@wolfpup](#): > > The cheque could only be issued in **both** our names, and when so issued, could only be deposited in a bank account in both our names. The other person needs to be with you in person, with ID. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2026, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-bank-of-america/1028098/25 "2026-03-02T03:48:37Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > When the kids were very little & wanted something they were like, go to the [convenience store chain] & get some cash out as they weren’t yet able to grasp that one needed money in one’s account to get it out; as they got older they knew, by smell, when I had gotten money out, mostly from the Dunkin Donuts container in the store that would permeate my clothes despite being in there for 30-45 seconds. That’s great! ---
**Author:** ![Raynard\_the\_fox](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/87869e/32.png) [@Raynard\_the\_fox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raynard_the_fox)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2026, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-bank-of-america/1028098/26 "2026-03-02T03:54:16Z")
BofA i should say, is just as horrible as any US bank. But they let my wife go after 16 years in the mortgage servicing department. They said move from California to Taxes or we let you go! That was a decade ago and she would not move to a red state. Thankfully I was able support us in her transition. But fuck them for making her have that choice. Lurked long enough to know I need to curse at someone in the pit! ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [March 2, 2026, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-bank-of-america/1028098/27 "2026-03-02T04:13:15Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > > [@wolfpup](#): > > > > The cheque could only be issued in **both** our names, and when so issued, could only be deposited in a bank account in both our names. > > The other person needs to be with you in person, with ID. Usually, exactly right. In the case of this trust account there were additional complications but I don’t remember what they were. But when I had roof damage due to a major hailstorm, the cheque was indeed issued jointly to me and the roofer who had negotiated the claim with the insurance company and we had to go to his bank together. The fun part here is that although the hail had dented the eavestroughs, there wasn’t any real need to replace them. I asked one of the workers at another house why they were replacing them, and he just laughed a cynical laugh. So, yeah, me and my roofer guy went to his bank with the joint cheque, and then, as agreed, he reimbursed me $1500 because I didn’t really need the eavestroughs repaired. The principle of insurance is that the insured should never be financially better off after a claim, but sometimes there are gray areas where the poor sucker actually scores a win! Nothing wrong with that – my eavestroughs were dented, I didn’t give a shit, and was happy to collect the cash instead! ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2026, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-bank-of-america/1028098/28 "2026-03-03T02:08:33Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Yeah, I mean I really feel for the OP, that was tough and unfair, but think how pissed you’d get if someone got a card thru fraud. A true nightmare. How could that happen if they mail it my home address? ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2026, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-bank-of-america/1028098/29 "2026-03-03T21:12:29Z")
> [@Hari\_Seldon](#): > > How could that happen if they mail it my home address? People move, how do they know it is your real current home address? And mail gets stolen. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [March 3, 2026, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-bank-of-america/1028098/30 "2026-03-03T21:58:42Z")
In the pre-internet era, targeted mailbox attacks were a thing. Find a likely looking house with a separate non-locking mailbox. Which was/is the norm in a lot of areas. Snag their banking mail, carefully open it, record the key info, then close it up and put it back in their box maybe a day later. Customer is none the wiser. Now bad guy orders new card based on the data they stole and babysits the mailbox each day until it arrives. Bad guy steals card mail that customer wasn’t expecting and will never miss. Profit! ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2026, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-bank-of-america/1028098/31 "2026-05-06T19:20:57Z")
Even the pope can get the same runaround. The story does not say it was Bank of America, but I wonder: [https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/05/us/pope-leo-xiv-bank-customer-service.html?unlocked\_article\_code=1.gVA.KoJy.TbBbZybST5-X&smid=url-share](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/05/us/pope-leo-xiv-bank-customer-service.html?unlocked_article_code=1.gVA.KoJy.TbBbZybST5-X&smid=url-share) ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2026, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-bank-of-america/1028098/32 "2026-05-06T19:52:04Z")
I’m reminded of the story of a little girl and a bank steadfastly refusing to give her her money. 1. Colorado farm girl sells six prize-winning chickens at auction. 2. Buyer (Small Stock Association) cuts her a check for $2100. 3. Mom takes the check to Chase Bank to deposit into girl’s account 4. Check is flagged as suspicious because who writes $2100 checks to 10-year-old children? So Chase Bank tries to call Small Stock Association to verify that it’s legit. Phone is disconnected. 5. President of Small Stock Association goes to Chase Bank three different times (likely to three different branches) to insist that the check is real. No luck. 6. Eventually Chase Bank closes the girl’s account without giving her her money. 7. Local news affiliate steps in and the matter is resolved in a couple of hours. And then there’s the situation where a couple won a judgement against SomeBig Bank, but the bank didn’t pay. So the couple gets some kind of court order and a sheriff’s deputy to seize assets, and they go to the local branch of SomeBig Bank and start loading the furniture into the sheriff’s truck, as permitted by the legal order. Frantic phone calls are made and, within an hour or so, the couple has a check for the entire amount they’re owed. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2026, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-bank-of-america/1028098/33 "2026-05-06T20:15:23Z")
When I was a newly minted adult, I took my first paycheck (paper! this is a long time ago.) to Security Pacific. I worked for a Major Corporation. Security Pacific would not open an account! I had a valid paycheck, ID, and… nope. (After 40 years I’m no longer sure what their reason was. But it was crap, I’m sure.) So I went across the parking lot to BofA, who happily took my money. Couple years later I move to AZ, and my company has a deal: free checking if I have direct deposit with The Arizona Bank. No problem. Couple years later, TAB gets bought up by…Security Pacific! Ha, losers, I have an account with you now! Then SecPac gets bought up by…BofA! Back home again. And the branch was just kitty corner. 40 years later I’m still with BofA and never had a problem. And the Arizona Bank building is now a Burger King. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2026, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-bank-of-america/1028098/34 "2026-05-06T21:19:19Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > And then there’s the situation where a couple won a judgement against SomeBig Bank, but the bank didn’t pay. So the couple gets some kind of court order and a sheriff’s deputy to seize assets, and they go to the local branch of SomeBig Bank and start loading the furniture into the sheriff’s truck, as permitted by the legal order. Frantic phone calls are made and, within an hour or so, the couple has a check for the entire amount they’re owed. That **was** Bank of America. In Florida, of course. [NPR: ‘Sweet Justice’: A Florida Couple ‘Forecloses’ On Bank Of America](https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2011/06/06/137002727/sweet-justice-a-florida-couple-forecloses-on-bank-of-america) ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2026, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-bank-of-america/1028098/35 "2026-05-06T22:46:24Z")
> [@HeyHomie](#): > > nd then there’s the situation where a couple won a judgement against SomeBig Bank, but the bank didn’t pay. So the couple gets some kind of court order and a sheriff’s deputy to seize assets, and they go to the local branch of SomeBig Bank and start loading the furniture into the sheriff’s truck, as permitted by the legal order. Frantic phone calls are made and, within an hour or so, the couple has a check for the entire amount they’re owed. A friend of mine won $1000 judgment against [Major Airline] which ignored the court order. Next day a court official went to the airport and affixed a seal on one of their airplanes. They paid. ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2026, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-bank-of-america/1028098/36 "2026-05-07T00:28:36Z")
and Michael Connelly turned that into one of his books ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2026, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-bank-of-america/1028098/37 "2026-05-13T00:55:57Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Then SecPac gets bought up by…BofA! That’s how I ended up with BofA. I think my third bank was bought by Boatman’s Bank, which then bought BofA and decided to use their more recognizable name. Similar to how I was hired by AT&T a year before divestiture and survived long enough for it to be bought out by Southwestern Bell, which promptly adopted mom’s name as their own. ---
**Author:** ![Mighty\_Mouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mighty_mouse/32/7776_2.png) [@Mighty\_Mouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mighty_Mouse)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2026, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-bank-of-america/1028098/38 "2026-05-13T01:15:11Z")
Boatmen’s was bought by NationsBank, who then acquired Bank of America and changed their own name (which was only a few years old, previously C&S/Sovran) to the much more globally recognized Bank of America. I had even more steps. My first account was with Bank IV, which was acquired by Boatmen’s, which was acquired by NationsBank, which was acquired by Bank of America. Bank of America then acquired Fleet Bank and when we moved to New England we thought we could just go into a Bank of America branch and keep our ten year old account that had moved through three bank holding companies more or less seamlessly, but no. We had to open an account on the local legacy Fleet system otherwise we couldn’t do any banking in a branch. The tellers couldn’t access Bank of America accounts in a building with a Bank of America sign on it (though much of the interior signage still said Fleet of Fleet Boston). And in those days 20+ years ago, you went into a bank a lot, especially if you traveled internationally, bought a house, needed things notarized, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Hari\_Seldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hari_seldon/32/5173_2.png) [@Hari\_Seldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hari_Seldon)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2026, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-bank-of-america/1028098/39 "2026-05-13T14:09:30Z")
When I was growing up, federal law did not allow a bank to cross state lines. That went back to Roosevelt and I imagine its purpose was to keep banks small, so that failures would not metastasize. It was still in effect when I lived in IL 1964-68. In addition, state law there did not permit branch banking at all, so every bank was confined to one building. When this all changed (my guess: Regan, although it could have been Nixon) I don’t know but it is what has led to this massive concentration of banks. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2026, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-bank-of-america/1028098/40 "2026-05-13T14:22:03Z")
I _think_ it was only starting in 1994 that banks were allowed to operate nationally. So when people in Europe, Canada or elsewhere note that some things about American banking seem old-fashioned (like the continued existence of paper checks), I think that’s because we’re still setting up nationwide systems. For example, I don’t think there is any truely universal electronic payment scheme, like the Interac system in Canada. (Plus we have many more banks than Canada does.) I think Chase Bank is the biggest in America, and I don’t believe they’re in every state; their commercials mention that they’re in 48 states. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-bank-of-america/1028098.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-pit-the-bank-of-america/1028098.md?page=3)