Goin Hoosier: Episode 2

I was going to write about the differences between drivers in California and Indiana, but I got sideswiped by a bad customer service experience. When we decided to move from California to Indianapolis, we knew we would have to change banks. Since we wanted to deal with a stable national bank, we chose Chase. We we're treated really well on the day we arrived to open our checking account. It seemed like a nice place. But, apparently, that was only the demo.

So when we deposited our first paycheck, yes a regular paycheck, into the account there was a week-long hold put on it. When noticed it a few days later and I inquired at the bank. I was told that deposits are often put on hold after they leave the teller. The branch has no control over it. In fact, it says on the deposit slip, "Further review may result in delayed availability of this deposit." In short no one takes responsibility for the flow of money. The teller tells me to talk to a banker; the banker says sorry, but it's on the deposit slip. So who's responsible? No one at the branch, apparently. Catch 22. Remember that?

Seems like it kind of check kiting in reverse. Since so much banking happens electronically, why does it take a week or two to clear a check? Could it be because they float our money and make interest on it while waiting for the check to "clear?" Maybe I'm being paranoid, which is different than paranormal, but that' s another discussion. Bottom line, they've got it and they're not giving it up and there's no one we can talk to, so that's that.

Okay, so this is this: to the New Accounts team at Chase in Indy...we're going to continue to do the majority of our banking with our old bank, since we pay most bills on line anyway. Our old bank, which I won't mention by name so as not to show favoritism, would tell me -- at the window -- if there was a hold, and for how long. Hmmmm.

Think about it Chase Bank. It's called customer service. It's more than just a demo.