I filed a formal complaint with the OCC - Office of The Controller for Currentcy against First Heritage Bank regarding fals advertising.

I opened an account with First Heritage Bank based upon a very large 4-color banner outside the bank proomoting it would give a customer $50 for opening a checking account.

I opened a checking account in August of 2009. Upon completing the paperwork, I was then informed that First Heritage would not credit the account for 3 months - I was informed that was to insure people weren't opening accounts for the $50 and closing them.

I incurred other problems with this bank during the time such as receiving duplicate statements, not receiving a debit card for over 30 days, slow posting of withdrawals, etc.

However, the "straw that broke the camel's back was when I found out that the $50 promotion was JUST A SCAM!

First Heritage invented a new reason not to give me the $50...stated that you had to make an automatic deposit or payment during that period. Forget that my account was in good standing, no bad checks, over-drawn, etc.

So, I immediately filed a complaint with the OCC, which then forwarded my complaint to the Department of Financial Institutions Division of Banks, State of Washington.

I received a letter from this division, stating that it had forwarded the complaint and directed First Heritage to respond directly to me by December 21.

First Heritage Bank chose to act revengeful and closed my account.

Banks like this should be closed down like the other 200 - 400 banks that have been forced to close this year.