Salem Five Bank has a slogan, “Keep talking we’re listening”.

My ninety-one year old mother was an employee at the main office of Salem Five (cents savings) Bank, for twenty-seven years retiring as assistant Treasurer. All of her banking is done with Salem Five. Over the course of the past three plus years, as a result of her declining medical condition, I have attended to her checking account, mainly at the branch on Paradise Road Mall in Swampscott, MA. The treatment has been deplorable on several instances, (described) each time I phoned, mostly speaking with the Manager in charge of overseeing all the branches; however there was seemingly no improvement.

I arrived at the bank with several checks I had attached dangling from one half end of a staple having done so when separating checks for three banks with the intent of expediting my drive-up window transaction. Nina, not the girl I handed the checks to, suddenly appeared at the window. I was verbally maligned, demeaned, and severely criticized for doing so and told in no uncertain terms this should ever occur again.

A letter was received informing that a completed W-9 be returned to the bank, although not enclosed in the letter. Phoning the branch I inquired if W-9 forms were available and told they were. When I stated that I would arrive at the drive-up window I was informed that would not be acceptable and in spite of my having the day prior, released from the hospital for a surgical procedure, I would have to walk into the bank. Reason given; I must present my identification, which I had done so at the window many times. This to receive a blank form! The Salem Five Manager in charge of all branches reversed the decision and I acquired the form at the drive–up window.

The second week of February, 2010 in the bank, at the teller window to deposit for mother a $1, 400 check I also presented an AT&T $9.96 check of mother signed by her and me. Curtly Lisa the teller looked at me and said, “You don’t look like (mother's first & last name)”. Asked for and received my identification, stating I too had an account with the Salem Five Bank. Nevertheless the teller refused to cash the check. Four days later I purposely went to the Center Street Peabody, MA Salem Five Bank to deposit $3, 000 in mother’s account. I then presented the check, my identification, and informed that I was a customer of the banks and again was refused to cash her check.

I phoned Joe Gibbons President and CEO of the bank who worked with mother in the early days of his employment at Salem Five Bank. His secretary inquired at to the reason for my call. I stated, “The banks slogan Keep Talking We’re Listening and presumably a desire that he would want to, and should become aware of such treatment”. I mentioned mother’s name as well. He refused to take, nor return my call nor phone mother.

The following week at the conclusion of on-line banking I was asked to fill out a questioner. I complied giving with most answerer’s a good grade. In the free to write remarks section I related the situations, which occurred. I received a call from a VP of Salem Five Bank Customer Relations. She did not call to offer an apology but instead to belittle, cast aspersions upon myself, and continued in this manner and then saying, “We have many happy customers”. No, "I apologize"; no attempts to diffuse the situations, instead conversely inflamed our conversation. She then stated in so many words she wished neither mother nor me to continue as clients and inquired how she could assist in closing the accounts. This created a high pitched retort admittedly with usage of vernacular verbiage on my part, and a hang-up closure of the connection. Not something I am known to do, however in light of mother’s current medical situation – a stroke, hospitalization and severe condition; the death of my wife’s sister four days prior, my temperament was less than common, or admittedly polite.

On Friday February 27, 2010 I received a call from a friend, who had been given a $500.00 check, stating it was non negotiable as his bank, stated mother’s account had no funds, albeit two days prior depositing $3, 000. Checking on line I become aware that Salem Five Bank had closed her account, without notice, nor extend courtesy to make proper arrangements, resulting in many returned check fees.

Subsequently a Salem Five Bank letter and check closing out her account was forwarded by Certified mail. Therefore, her direct deposit Social Security Check was delayed, checks mailed for payment, and automatic utility deductions were not be honored, resulting in returned check charges assessed. This treatment presumable indicates Salem Five’s slogan,
“Keep talking we’re listening” is meant exclusively for words of praise.

P.S. I went to Internet On-Line Search for the Salem Five Bank’s on-line banking address and observed a letter from a disgruntled customer, entitled “Don’t Do Business with Salem Five Bank”, you won’t believe the reason.