topic Forced banking online, or by appointment only in Community Chat

Forced banking online, or by appointment only

BlueFinch — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 19:51:43 GMT

I'm going nuts. I hate doing any banking business these days. It's become one of my most unpleasant tasks, particularly if you need to see a real life banker. They're scarce.

You have to set up appointments online. And, it's like -- there's a day available -- tenth Friday in a leap year. 'Take your business online,' is their constant redirection. Yeah, easier for them!

They make it unpleasant, while repeatedly pushing us into the 'unsafe' zone.These are all banks where I could actually walk in, sign in, be greeted warmly and see a banker, usually in less than 20 minutes time. Yeah, the good-old-days.

In contrast, today, I got locked out of an online account for any changes for 5 days because I called to add my cell number, which was surprisingly not there in the first place. Argh!

Maybe it's just me, but with so many bank sites closing, this is going to be common practice. Not to mention the banks that have been in trouble. Yeah, I'm sure they've got my back ...Lol.

Sorry, just had to purge frustration. Just go on by, I feel better, already.

Re: Forced banking online, or by appointment only

RollTide2008 — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 19:55:39 GMT

I haven’t been inside a bank in years.

Re: Forced banking online, or by appointment only

geezerette — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 19:57:12 GMT

Makes me glad I'm in a small town where I can still walk into any bank.

Re: Forced banking online, or by appointment only

gidgetgh — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 20:00:07 GMT

I have online access to my main bank but I go to it and a few other banks I use, quite often. No shame in actually going to your bank.

Re: Forced banking online, or by appointment only

IMW — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 20:00:35 GMT

@BlueFinch you are not alone. This is happening everywhere. Much cheaper without live hummus bodies.

We can't stand it, it definitely is the wave of the future.

Comes down to take it or leave it.

Re: Forced banking online, or by appointment only

homedecor1 — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 20:02:28 GMT

@BlueFinch

Sounds like Bank of America heaven forbid you need something & go into bank...no tellers, no platform people available.

YET the guy at the door says "let me show you how to use ATM or our online banking system".

They have 1 teller line out the door no matter what time and worse hours are limited and only 2 branches within 25 miles all the rest closed (oh and no drive ups).

that's my rant for the day -- I'm with ya on this one! (Banks are all like this so no sense changing now)

Re: Forced banking online, or by appointment only

Spurt — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 20:06:01 GMT

@BlueFinch

While my Bank has been fantastic, even during the Pandemic they opened the Lobby for a couple hours---a rareity....of course everyone employees and customer wore masks, they had plenty of sanitizer on hand, and kept the appropriate distantce.....

BUT some of my friends that bank with other banks have the same issues as you or worse, and have complained bitterly, even though our COVID numbers are considered very low (in the 60's for the entire week)....its strictly ONLINE banking, Lobby not open, no appointments to talk to someone in person....just awful!!! SMH!!! Its okay to vent!

Re: Forced banking online, or by appointment only

RedTop — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 20:09:03 GMT

I agree, most banks seem to be transitioning to very little personal contact.

Re: Forced banking online, or by appointment only

Hoovermom — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 20:10:56 GMT

Regions is alive and well.....online or inside the bank.

Re: Forced banking online, or by appointment only

Kachina624 — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 20:11:15 GMT

What has me aggravated us that Bank of America has closed all their drive in windows at branches in my area so now you must go inside and stand in line. I've been their customer since 1982 but I'm ready to go elsewhere. Their ATMs are in unsafe locations.

Re: Forced banking online, or by appointment only

BlueFinch — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 20:15:45 GMT

@homedecor1 Exactly. Two of my large banks shuttered down and turned off the lights at the beginning of the pandemic. Now there are just little bank-in-a-box sites for ATM's and some will set up banker appts. I think the banking industry just took advantage of the situation to cut their bottom line.

Meanwhile, some banks still have a drive through only. People are sitting idle wasting gas for up to 40 minutes to deposit a check.

If you have to call, you get someone working from home and wonder -- who are these employees? Have they been appropriately vetted for the job? And, are their online sites really secure? That's a lot of personal identifying info passing back and forth. We'll be on our own, if hacked. I don't know why more people aren't complaining.

Re: Forced banking online, or by appointment only

SouthernBee — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 20:18:35 GMT

@BlueFinch : I am with you. My bank just finished merging with another bank and really less customer friendly or service. If I call and the wait time is over an hour and if they transfer me to someone else we get disconnected or truthfully hung up on. Talk with three people and get three different answers. They are pushing paperless statements. I have a home equity line . Previously I could go on line and make an extra payment to the principal. Told the other day : just make a call and do it over the phone or call and schedule appointment to come into lobby for help. 😳🤷‍♀️Rant over.

Re: Forced banking online, or by appointment only

proudlyfromNJ — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 20:22:08 GMT

My bank is small but you need an appointment to go inside.

Re: Forced banking online, or by appointment only

chickenbutt — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 20:23:37 GMT

I was in both of my banks yesterday, and it was business as usual. I wonder if this is a regional thing, or smaller banks are struggling - or what.

It was unusual to even have to go into both banks, as I usually just keep track of my account online but every now and then have to do some sort of transaction that requires me to go inside.

It would be a real drag if banks stopped doing in-house business!

Re: Forced banking online, or by appointment only

BlueFinch — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 20:28:36 GMT

@RollTide2008 wrote:
I haven’t been inside a bank in years.

@RollTide2008 I've never gone often either, but dangit, when I need to go, I want the doors to swing open for me. It's the least they can do. Show some customer courtesy. JMHO.

Re: Forced banking online, or by appointment only

BlueFinch — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 20:52:43 GMT

@chickenbutt Yes, the smaller banks have really suffered, but mine are some of the larger banks and they've been shutting down their lobby/banker access one by one, or vacating. It's ATM's, or a few teller's for a long line wait, if the lobby is even open.

For example USAA is shutting down all of their physical access banks except for four across the entire country. The online reviews are horrible.

So many military personnel have been in other countries trying to navigate their banking from afar, with nothing but roadblocks. They find out their account is locked and they're trying to find out why, etc. Multiple inexcusable problems. They say they're investigating, but it goes on forever.

Same if you have a charge card with them. Dispute and wait for unauthorized charges to be resolved. Most are saying you're treated like the villain, not the victim.

It's our new normal. I don't like it. It's destined to get worse, too.

Re: Forced banking online, or by appointment only

Sooner — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 21:03:09 GMT

I can walk in or drive through but haven't been in in some time. I can call and do anything I've needed to do, including take money from an IRA by calling in advance and signing at the drive through. Easy for us!

Most is done on the web. Hooray for that!

Re: Forced banking online, or by appointment only

Kachina624 — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 21:16:46 GMT

@BlueFinch Something has happened to USAA in the past 2 or 3 years. They've turn their financial services over to a new administrator and things are a mess. Fortunately I've not had a problem that required a phone call but I've avoided using my credit card because I'm afraid I might have one. Trying to access your account online is worse than trying to break into Ft. Knox. I've never gotten in.

Re: Forced banking online, or by appointment only

Meowingkitty — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 21:37:56 GMT

Ok, my husband works for a bank and is in charge of finding seats and reorganizing people at different locations for maximum efficiency. First of all most people are not back 5 days a week and then there are not enough people to begin with. Thus the need for an appointment. They don't want to or need to staff fully as in the olden days for the few people that do walk in and ask for things they can easily do online themselves. They are maximizing people, space and effort and most importantly costs. Most banking can be done online. Why on earth would you sit in line to deposit a check? I know there are some people who just can't or won't but come on. This is the 21st century and like it or not it's only going to get more prevelant so you might as well get used to it. And yes it is safe, secure and accurate. So they want you to use it.

Re: Forced banking online, or by appointment only

Gorgf — Fri, 08 Apr 2022 21:35:19 GMT

Interesting comments. I have one Credit Union and three banks in a small town. I have my retirement and insurances automatic deposit and deductions in the larger bank. I used to go on line years ago with them but it was such a security hassle with questions and picture puzzles to get in to my account and if not used often locked out and start over to set up. Maybe it has changed?

My day to day minor stuff like small bills and donations are dealt with the C.U. They recently no longer will give you a balance or inform of overdraft by phone and it is all on line and up to you to check. Pushing also to use your cell phone to scan. Both still send a hard copy of the monthy account unless you want paperless. I hope that continues.

I have friends that don't have a computer or WI-FI. She still is able to call the same bank as I use to check her balance. I am afraid that on line banking will be the norm and less options.