Anyone work at Bank of America?

[wyvrn]

I have been banking with them for about 20 years. I walked into a local branch today and noticed something different.

I couldn't place it until I got to the teller, then I noticed they had put up 2" bulletproof glass surrounding their tellers.

I could understand plate glass if they wanted to stop someone from taking a till. But this was bulletproof and very very thick. The mood was also pretty somber and the customers were complaining.

The tellers, obviously part of a company line, told us it was to make the customers feel safer when they came in. I wondered why it would make us feel safer then it separated them from us, and we don't work there all day.

This Bank of America is near my workplace and in a very nice area of town. I doubt they have ever experienced any crime there, at least that I am aware of.

Anyone else work at Bank of America? Are they doing this at more than a few branches?

I am thinking possibly in case of a bank run or when more AL-A mortgage defaults occur in a few months?

 

[Brainonska511]

I have been banking with them for about 20 years. I walked into a local branch today and noticed something different.

I couldn't place it until I got to the teller, then I noticed they had put up 2" bulletproof glass surrounding their tellers.

I could understand plate glass if they wanted to stop someone from taking a till. But this was bulletproof and very very thick. The mood was also pretty somber and the customers were complaining.

The tellers, obviously part of a company line, told us it was to make the customers feel safer when they came in. I wondered why it would make us feel safer then it separated them from us, and we don't work there all day.

This Bank of America is near my workplace and in a very nice area of town. I doubt they have ever experienced any crime there, at least that I am aware of.

Anyone else work at Bank of America? Are they doing this at more than a few branches?

I am thinking possibly in case of a bank run or when more AL-A mortgage defaults occur in a few months?

Maybe it lowers their insurance premiums.

 

[brblx]

The tellers, obviously part of a company line, told us it was to make the customers feel safer when they came in. I wondered why it would make us feel safer then it separated them from us, and we don't work there all day.

i probably would close my account if my bank told me that. lot of bank customers getting robbed at gunpoint by tellers, eh?

 

[wyvrn]

i probably would close my account if my bank told me that. lot of bank customers getting robbed at gunpoint by tellers, eh?

The gentleman next to me said the same thing. The teller talked him out of it. I am thinking it would be a good idea to liquidate my savings, and keep just enough in for online banking to pay bills so my risk is lowered.

Certainly did not feel reassuring when I walked in there.

 

[wyvrn]

So I took out about a third, and will do so again tomorrow. Just keeping enough in to pay the bills.

 

[SandEagle]

all of the banks i went to in detroit had this for decades. with the spiraling economy, im sure more people will not think twice to rob a bank

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I think it would be worthwhile to make the bank manager aware of your thoughts. Think about it. Telling him/her about your feelings of distrust won't affect your account and may be the kind of feedback that they need to hear. Communication is a commodity that is often in short supply.

 

[skace]

So I took out about a third, and will do so again tomorrow. Just keeping enough in to pay the bills.

We should all get paranoid and pull our money out. I hear that worked wonders last time.

 

[Jeeebus]

The tellers, obviously part of a company line, told us it was to make the customers feel safer when they came in. I wondered why it would make us feel safer then it separated them from us, and we don't work there all day.

Kinda like the sign they have posted at Costco on your way out the door. "Why do we check your receipt on the way out?" and then the first reason listed is "To make sure you didn't overpay for any items"...

lol, ya, I'm sure.

 

[JS80]

Of all the shit people complain about lol

 

[thegimp03]

Heh, I went to a Bank of America branch near me in a downtown area on a Saturday morning about 1-2 years ago and something looked weird as I walked up to the door with people waiting outside. As I walked up, security personnel opened up the door and said that they had just been robbed at gun point and were closed down for the rest of the day. I couldn't believe someone was desperate enough to rob the place in broad daylight in the middle of a downtown area with a bunch of people walking around.

Another Bank of America branch I go to has a security guard posted out front who stares people down as they walk up to the ATM machines and into the bank. It's in a little bit worse of a neighborhood.

I haven't walked into a branch recently as I do most of my banking through their ATMs now that they've finally updated them from the stone age. I will have to check next time I go.

 

[PingSpike]

My bank has increased Teller safety by only being open for about 4 hours per week. At least, I think that is why.

 

[TXHokie]

i probably would close my account if my bank told me that. lot of bank customers getting robbed at gunpoint by tellers, eh?

They have an automated system to rob customers, don't need all that glass...try overdraft your account once and you'll see.

 

[wyvrn]

We should all get paranoid and pull our money out. I hear that worked wonders last time.

Not really paranoid. I know there is insurance, and I don't have over $250,000 in the bank that would be at risk. But, I don't want to go through the hassle of filing and waiting on my money, should a bank run occur. It's easier just to put it in a safe place as I don't have a large amount to begin with. Then keep enough liquid to write checks against for the normal stuff we pay by online check each month.

Not a big change, but one worth considering for everyone. We are free to make our choices, and I am not obligated to support the banking system in any way. I can do what I choose, and so can everyone else and they should not feel remorse for it.

 

[wyvrn]

Of all the shit people complain about lol

Complaint? I wasn't aware that being aware, and making sound financial decisions was complaining.

I expected to get some comments in the thread, but really people, we aren't obligated to use banks like it is a national law or something.

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKUV4e_yJPs

 

[JS80]

Complaint? I wasn't aware that being aware, and making sound financial decisions was complaining.

I expected to get some comments in the thread, but really people, we aren't obligated to use banks like it is a national law or something.

Do you not realize that having the glass reduces the chance of a bank robbery and reduces operating costs for a bank which should benefit the depositor?

 

[JMapleton]

They have an automated system to rob customers, don't need all that glass...try overdraft your account once and you'll see.

That's your own fault.

1. Don't pay with checks or debit cards, that's stupid.
2. Get overdraft protection.
3. Pay everything with a credit card or in person in cash.

 

[deadlyapp]

That's your own fault.

1. Don't pay with checks or debit cards, that's stupid.
2. Get overdraft protection.
3. Pay everything with a credit card or in person in cash.

You know whats classic, fuckin chase after taking over WAMU trying to get people to opt into their "overdraft protection" scheme.

Typically if you overdraft with a debit card, it comes out, and you get charged, but now with the new CARD law I assume they have to stop this. Now by -default- if you try to overdraft, you just get declined, but chase is pushing SO hard to get people to opt in to their "protection" so that everything gets paid.

If you don't opt, theres no way for them to get your $30 every time. Stick it to the man woo.

 

[zerocool84]

Omg a bank has bullet proof glass?!? Wow!!!

Omg a bank that has bullet proof glass makes it less likely that they will be robbed while there are customers there hence making it safer for the customers as well as the employees?!? Wow!!!

 

[Adrenaline]

The tellers, obviously part of a company line, told us it was to make the customers feel safer when they came in. I wondered why it would make us feel safer then it separated them from us, and we don't work there all day.

I have no idea how this would make the customer feel safer. Maybe the teller worded that wrong.

 

[wyvrn]

Do you not realize that having the glass reduces the chance of a bank robbery and reduces operating costs for a bank which should benefit the depositor?

Yes I do. In fact, based upon our economic situation, I am suprised more banks have not done this. With the upcoming Alt-A meltdown, it would not suprise me to hear stories of people with bombs strapped to their chests walking into banks and going 'boom'.

However, my point was that if the banks are expecting this sort of activity, and possibly a bank run, I do not want to leave my money in the bank for practical reasons.

1) The FDIC doesn't have enough money to cover all the bank failures they are having now. They will issue refunds (paid for by taxes, debt issuance, and inflation by our illustrious Federal government), but they will also take time to procure. I don't want my money locked up in bureacracy (sp?) while the Insurance figures out how to pay it. That could be 30 - 90 days, and I'll need the cash sooner than that.

2) The only reason I had my money in the bank was for convenience. Once it is no longer convenient, I no longer need the bank.

3) I don't support fractional reserve banking philosophically, and I guess this is a way to protest the bank creating fake money by 10 to 1 ratio from my deposits. Even though this is not my primary reason for withdrawing, it is an added 'bonus'.

4) I'll go back to my credit union. They are friendlier anyway and have better rates. When I travel, I will just have to adjust my approach. But in retrospect, I don't travel much now anyway so it's really a non-issue.

Other than that, I don't know why I bother to use a bank at all. Now that I think about it. (Which most people don't, is one of my points).

 

[wyvrn]

Omg a bank has bullet proof glass?!? Wow!!!

Omg a bank that has bullet proof glass makes it less likely that they will be robbed while there are customers there hence making it safer for the customers as well as the employees?!? Wow!!!

See my post above. This is not the point I made.

It is a harbinger of other things, which is what I was discussing. The solvency of Bank of America, and by extension, other banks and the FDIC which insures them.

edit: It worried me mostly because Bank of America prides itself on friendliness and customer contact. It is what they preach. The fact they are doing this goes against their core business philosophy, which means they feel compelled to do so for a really strong reason. What is that reason ?

 

[Cuda1447]

See my post above. This is not the point I made.

It is a harbinger of other things, which is what I was discussing. The solvency of Bank of America, and by extension, other banks and the FDIC which insures them.

edit: It worried me mostly because Bank of America prides itself on friendliness and customer contact. It is what they preach. The fact they are doing this goes against their core business philosophy, which means they feel compelled to do so for a really strong reason. What is that reason ?

The reason is so their employees don't get fucking shot. What, you think bullet proof glass makes it warmer in there? Or do you think it will somehow help slow down forclosures. Are you fucking stupid? ITS BULLET PROOF GLASS, THEY DON'T WANT BULLETS GOING INTO THEIR FUCKING SKULL. SAFETY DUMBASS, SAFETY!

 

[Greenman]

The bullet proof glass is to protect the tellers from the customers. When a bank has pissed off so many people that they need protection from the people they serve, it's time to move on. Saying it's for customer safety is an insult.