My story begins...I had to travel up to Mayo Clinic this past weekend. There were medical issues and they needed to be addressed.
Apparently, with no knowledge, the hotel I stayed at "pended" double the room rate. This caused two small debit card purchases to be paid and two $35 NSF fees to be administered. So, today I get back into town, and deposit my tax refund check, and the bank "Pends" that, too.
I asked them if the money was in my account for the hotel, they said no. I asked if the hotel had the money, they said no. It was being held. Held...in space, apparently. I asked when the hotel does their thing and actually debits the correct amount, will the NSF fees go away? Nope.

They gave me cash when I closed my account and there is no record of the cash withdrawal or of me closing my account. I received a letter saying that my savings account is overdrawn which alerted me to the fact that they screwed up.

When I called, I was told that I needed "proof" that my account was closed. Todd is the idiot I spoke with from the security department. He refused to pull the security camera footage from that day to see that I was in fact there and made the transaction. He wouldn't let me speak to a supervisor and I got nowhere with him.

I filed a complaint with the Dept of Financial Institutions so we'll see what happens. Do not bank there. They're crooked and deceptive. It was nothing but problems the entire time I banked there.

Solicitation Illegal or Not?

I was shopping at Mega Foods West (Eau Claire, WI) where a gal from Associated Bank (the in store bank) approached me and persuaded me into opening a free checking account. She told me that the bank is offering free checking accounts, with no fees or charges, and if I wanted I could just use this account as a savings account. I opened the account and ordered a box of checks. Months later the bank changed their policy and now charge a $5.00 fee per month if I do not actively use this account. I stopped at the bank today and asked them to refund me for my box of checks and the $10 fee (2 months x $5) that they charged me, which they refused to do. I therefore closed this account. I feel that Mega Foods West and Associated Bank should be liable for the way in which they solicited their customers and then intentionally change their bank policy! How many other people did they get the same way they got me? It is not really the issue of the money but the way in which this banking business made their money. If you too have noticed this extra charge on your statement please contact me.

Please find attached:
1. Bank Statement
2. Copy of the Thank You card
3. additional miscellaneous documents

Cc:
Leader Telegram
Craigs List financial
Town Courier
Better Business Bureau
Consumer Protection
The Spectator
Seniors
Tradin Post Buyers Guide
Americans For Fairness in Lending
Federal Reserve
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
The Federal Reserve
State Attorney General
Associated Bank
Mega Foods West

This bank is very good at ONE thing...taking their LOYAL customer's money. I have been with Associated Bank for 15 years. I opened my mail today to see that I had $630 in NSF fee's from less than $200 in charges. I find that additionally there is a "courtesy" feature on my debit card that "allows" me to charge up to $500 in the negative before my card is declined. Over 2 days, the 2 days before Christmas, I made small purchases, almost all under $10 and was charged 18 times for Overdraft fee's of $35 a piece. When I called today, they again threw around the "loyal" customer statement stating they would credit me back a measly $150, when I refused, they said, "what would be sufficient for you"? Not only were they rude, insincere, they were incapable of removing the fee's that were ridiculously charged to me. They still seem to not understand that their attempt to "appease" me with the $150 was not good enough. I told them that the amount of money that it would cost me in late payments to my credit card companies and also in rent, was going to surpass their pitiful offer of $150. Overall, I am disgusted that this company doesn't grasp that their customers are the most important piece of their business.

My biggest frustration is that my card wasn't declined, not once out of the 18 times that I used it. Between the 21st and 23rd of December there was never an inclination that there was anything wrong with my account, even when I pulled money out of an ATM. I do not have daily access to internet so the ability to see overdrafts isn't something that I seek out daily, regardless of the very rude and unhelpful advice of their staff to "just look online or use a register". This company has never had an issue declining my card when I am out of state on business due to their suspicion of theft, but can't for any reason find a phone or email handy to help me to avoid ridiculous fee's. I would be very interested to add up the interest that I have paid this bank over my 15 years with them, since they are so readily eager to itemize my fee's. I can't wait to pull my money out, my entire families and anyone else I can get to pull their money out. I can't pay me rent, my bills, groceries anything, it's 3 days after Christmas, people are strapped without their banks gauging them needlessly. It's not much of a surprise why our economy is in the state that it is in with organizations like this.

I have proof on printouts that I had a positive balance on end of closing day, plus 2 large deposits the following day. The bank charged me 2 overdraft fees $70, for taking a check cashed on the 15th, 2nd day, and putting it back to the previous day, and disregarding my cash deposit, saying I was overdrawn!This morning, I went online to find that they would not allow me to see my acct info for Oct 14 and 15! I called the main office-they said noone could. I immediately called the local branch and they had it! Just didn't want me to see my acct-caught a lie-they "marked the acct" knowing we complained the day earlier. Went back and forth on phone calls, branch to main office bounced around. Branch said they would handle any issue to come in the day before, so I did. They didn't want to talk about it, told me to leave! I was nice, as I want my refund and hanle this thing. Said they would call police to have me taken out! They did call! The officers were helpful to us, the bank made a fool out of themselves! We closed out acct after 8 years thee. Never gave them any problems in past. They were awful beyond belief. We are persuing further action