Truth be told, I don’t really like Bank of America (BoA). I have been banking with them since I was 11 years old. I have had other accounts at other banks, but BoA is still where my highest limit card is. It began with a savings account, then a checking account… and a CD… and a creditcard… I know I spend a lot of time talking about how bad credit cards are– but since I’m telling the truth, my biggest problem was the stupid checking account card.
In high school I frequently over-drafted my account. And this was before banks had over-draft “protection”. So instead of a minor fee and a withdrawal from my savings they would just charge me. It was like $30 a day everyday with no notice. So I would check my balance a couple days later and I would have $-236 in my account. I was awful. Things got a little better as time went on and I got better at using my check card. But I was regularly giving BoA a bunch of money for the use of my account because I was good at over-drafting. The real overdraft protection would be if they just declined my card! So, when a reader pointed me to this NY Times article I was pleasantly surprised.
Really? You’re really going to stop me from using money that I don’t have? That’s just down right responsible if you ask me. Maybe a little outdated. I mean that kind of thing hasn’t happened since the 1980’s at least! What will the young kids think? You know, the ones who have never seen a declined credit card? Well I would normally jump for joy- or at least pretend to jump for joy. But I’m being honest with you… so I’m just going to say:
Amen! I actually just left BoA for a local bank because of all the fees they charge. I’ve given them so much of my money that I don’t think I should have had to. I’m glad to hear that they’re being sensible!
I also saw and celebrated this news, but then I wondered, “Why?” I think the answer might be: with the new regulations they can only charge $2 for that $2 overdraft, so its not worth the effort to piss-off their customers for such a little amount. So the new law might have had some unintended, but beneficial, consequences. I’m just saying, “I never met a corporation with a heart