Speaking of Racism

[Heracles 417]

We have B of A out of necessity (Wells Fargo doesn't serve the East Coast). But I can't say I've really found them all that exceptional really. In fact the only thing I find exceptional is the huge amount of junk mail we get from them. Didn't much like Wells Fargo for that matter - only got an account because the wife had one before we were married.

Only thing that would attract me to WAMU is the free checking - its nuts to me that you have to pay a penalty to use another banks ATM (this used to happen with UK banks until it was made illegal under European Law).

Also can't get my head around the idea of paying for checks. Used to get those free of charge with Barclays.

Also the 'low balance' charges don't seem particularly justifiable to me.

Apart from that I've found customer service for all large banks, both here and in the UK to be mediocre at best.

Do you have Chevy Chase bank in your area? They are really good. Most of the credit unions or local banks are usually pretty good.

I also use HSBC and Citibank as they are good, if you bank overseas..

Edited September 4, 2007 by Boo-Yah!

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

but BOA banks to illegals omgomgomg!!

omgomgomg!! and that changes their customer service how??

What stands out about it? More than any other high street bank?

[Heracles 417]

but BOA banks to illegals omgomgomg!!

omgomgomg!! and that changes their customer service how??

What stands out about it? More than any other high street bank?

For one they have branches everywhere.. If you want great and personal service you have to go to a CU or a local bank..

[DeadPoolX 9]

More than half the time, when a commercial or print ad is deemed "racist" or "sexist," it wasn't done on purpose. Usually those involved had a certain objective and goal in mind (to sell the idea, store, product, etc) and didn't really think about the implications of the actors/actresses in their commercials and advertisements. Once they do realize it, the damage has already been done and all the company can do is pull the commercial/print ad and issue an apology.

Unfortunately, with so many different types of people (and different kinds of minds and thought processes), it's virtually impossible to say or do anything without inadvertently insulting someone, somehow, someway. If someone wants to find racism or sexism somewhere, they will find it.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

I was thinking this. IMO it wouldn't have made much of a difference if the young guy in the commercial had been white, rather than black. Of course then you'd have people complaining that the commercial wasn't ethnically 'all inclusive'.

That's why you often see commercials featuring every ethnicity under the sun, because the advertisers don't want to leave anyone out who might be offended. The result of that IMO is that the commericals appear contrived.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Number 6,

Re BofA customer service: Develop relationships with the people who work at your local branch. The customer service, once you've done so, is spectacular. Their computer system is full of little hidden features that only they can access for you. The idiots on the phone can't do much at all.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Number 6,

Re BofA customer service: Develop relationships with the people who work at your local branch. The customer service, once you've done so, is spectacular. Their computer system is full of little hidden features that only they can access for you. The idiots on the phone can't do much at all.

I can only judge what happened after my wife had her wallet stolen. They cancelled out the accounts - refunded our money. All great.

Yet:

The woman who claimed she had reactivated my ATM card, linking it to the new account number had done no such thing, and the ATM promptly told me to Pi$$ off when I tried to extract a $20.

Then the account which was allegedly closed (the one which fraudulent charges were made to) turned out not to be closed and still shows up whenever I to make a deposit or withdrawal over the counter. One one occasion a check was deposited to the old account number - and it was a b'stard to get it sorted out.

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Make a commercial with 20 black men in a pen and a white man mocking them. See what happens.

Why would someone intentionally do that?

What point does putting 20 white men in a pen make?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Make a commercial with 20 black men in a pen and a white man mocking them. See what happens.

Why would someone intentionally do that?

What point does putting 20 white men in a pen make?

Can you imagine trying to represent old-school big finance with a bunch of black or latino guys? It just wouldn't ring true. It's only now that blacks and asians and latinos are starting to have a presence in those areas.

Of course, to really come up with something that rang true, they should have had at least one guy in a yarmulke. A group of bankers and no jews? oy!

[Clarky and Tarah 0]

I never noticed. I don't think its racism, I just think it's people over analyzing everything.

[Nancy2015 2]

I never noticed. I don't think its racism, I just think it's people over analyzing everything.

I completely agree with you.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Make a commercial with 20 black men in a pen and a white man mocking them. See what happens.

Why would someone intentionally do that?

What point does putting 20 white men in a pen make?

Can you imagine trying to represent old-school big finance with a bunch of black or latino guys? It just wouldn't ring true. It's only now that blacks and asians and latinos are starting to have a presence in those areas.

Of course, to really come up with something that rang true, they should have had at least one guy in a yarmulke. A group of bankers and no jews? oy!

Indeed it wouldn't - because commercials tend to employ stereotypes that people identify. Its part of the beast.

That said - would the interpretation of the commercial have been different if the young guy had been white rather than black? Same advert, largely different perception. Moreover, you'd have much the same claims of racism for not being representative in showing 'minorities'. As I said - what is it about the guy that is specifically 'black', other than the way he looks?

Once again - I find it amusing that people boldly proclaim the evils of political correctness, yet hasten to jump on the bandwagon for silly things like this.

[pedroh 21]

Make a commercial with 20 black men in a pen and a white man mocking them. See what happens.

Why would someone intentionally do that?

What point does putting 20 white men in a pen make?

Can you imagine trying to represent old-school big finance with a bunch of black or latino guys? It just wouldn't ring true. It's only now that blacks and asians and latinos are starting to have a presence in those areas.

Of course, to really come up with something that rang true, they should have had at least one guy in a yarmulke. A group of bankers and no jews? oy!

EL BANCO DE JOSE!!

yeah.. other races wouldn't represent old school banking..

Edited September 5, 2007 by pedroh

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

Make a commercial with 20 black men in a pen and a white man mocking them. See what happens.

Why would someone intentionally do that?

What point does putting 20 white men in a pen make?

Can you imagine trying to represent old-school big finance with a bunch of black or latino guys? It just wouldn't ring true. It's only now that blacks and asians and latinos are starting to have a presence in those areas.

Of course, to really come up with something that rang true, they should have had at least one guy in a yarmulke. A group of bankers and no jews? oy!

What's wrong with putting them at a boardroom table instead of a pen?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Make a commercial with 20 black men in a pen and a white man mocking them. See what happens.

Why would someone intentionally do that?

What point does putting 20 white men in a pen make?

Can you imagine trying to represent old-school big finance with a bunch of black or latino guys? It just wouldn't ring true. It's only now that blacks and asians and latinos are starting to have a presence in those areas.

Of course, to really come up with something that rang true, they should have had at least one guy in a yarmulke. A group of bankers and no jews? oy!

What's wrong with putting them at a boardroom table instead of a pen?

Nothing. I expect the symbolism WAMU was going for there was the image of old school bankers as a 'herd' ... and WAMU the renegade who does things different.