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(The Outcome) -We Always Hear The Young Are Our Future But Seldom Treat Them As Su

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Real Estate Agent with Midwest Properties of MI - Grand Rapids

(The Outcome) -We Always Hear The Young Are Our Future But Seldom Treat Them As Such

Man & Piggy Bank

I can’t believe it…..the bank let him walk over $37.50!! Corey did stop into the bank on Saturday and spoke to the Bank Manager as planned and came home with a new account…at a new bank!!

In speaking with this Bank Manager Corey was informed there was nothing he could do to assist him in this situation and the late charges would stand.  Corey mentioned to me he did explain why he felt this second late charge was not justifiable and should be waved however this man could not see his way clear to helping him. 

Corey also reminded this manager that although he had no money now, that he would in the not to distant future i.e…buying a house, a car along with making investments…. this hit with no impact at all!   (Remember …THE YOUTH ARE OUR FUTURE)

I simply can’t get my mind around it…. after a 12 year investment in this young man and this bank pretty much having a “slam dunk” that they would continue to provide his banking services long into the future….they let him walk over $37.50!   Did I say only $37.50??!!

Ok…I’m officially stunned. I have been with this bank since I was a little girl.  I told Corey I was going to go in and speak with this manager…he said, “No, I’m over it, I handled it myself….do not go see him and he was quite emphatic!”

Well, I was bad….very bad….when I was out running errands today, my car all on its own accord, made a turn right into the bank! If Corey was aware of this he would definitely not be happy with me. Please know that typically this is not my style, I do listen to my children and respect their wishes but this one…my car took over, what can I say??

Well, I walked in and asked for the Bank Manager…. (Big bright smile returned)…I can help you, please step this way. (please know I was calm and very polite throughout this entire visit) Our conversation went something like this…. My son Corey VanderMeer came into the bank and had spoke to the bank manager on Saturday and I want to speak with this person directly, are you the person he spoke too?? I’m not sure was the reply, lets see if I can get his records up…do you have his account number?…no he is an adult and is not aware I am here.  After this little go-a-round he mentioned he might have been the person Corey had spoke too….how many young college men do you see in a day that have an issue on over draft charges I questioned??  Deer in the head lights look.  I continued…he has shaggy hair, wore a blue and white stripped polo shirt and jeans sound familiar??  Mgr….yes I was the one who spoke to him…me… well, the reason I am here is simply because I am hoping you can help me understand what exactly could have happened that would cause my son to leave this bank?? Again, deer in the headlights lookMgr… well; I do know he had two over draft charges because he did not keep good records on the current balance in his account.

O.K. Let me speed this up a bit…

 I let him know that I was not there on Corey’s behalf for this bank had already lost him to another bank. 

  1. I mentioned I felt it spoke very highly to Corey’s character that he would actually come back, speak to a Bank Manager, and in giving him an opportunity to help remedy the situation before pulling out from the bank.  He agreed.
  2. I asked him if he felt he had helped Corey.  Deer in the headlights...Well, I hope I did, I showed him how to keep a better account of his balance.  (Corey’s college  minor…is accounting)
  3. Then I asked, what do you think Corey learned and took away from this experience?  Reply…well I hoped he learned to keep better records of his account. Then he stated…he should have had overdraft protection. I said he had tried to get it but for some reason Corey said it didn’t work for him.  Then I was informed you have to have a bank credit card to qualify for over draft protection…how convenient for them! Corey did not want a credit card for he has friends who got into some debt overusing them.
  4. I then asked…do you think keeping good records of his account is the big lesson Corey really walked away with?? I can tell you with a certainty it is not, what he walked away with is this....after 12 years with this bank …his value to this bank is not worth $37.50.  “It boggles my mind” and yes I did say that!
  5. I did learn that he actually was the Assistant Bank Manager so I requested he bring this scenario to the Manager. I told him I cannot believe this bank is not more helpful to college students.  These are the citizens the banks should be diligently working to acquire.  I believe this bank could do many things to assist and support college students who we all know at this time of their lives are typically struggling financially.  Give them a break!  Set a minimal over draft fee...even better…no fee.  Make changes in your protocol and dealings with them that will make them feel important instead of unworthy.

In the end, the Asst. Manager is going to bring this up in a monthly meeting with other Mangers from this chain of banks in the area.  I have requested he contact me and keep me informed as to their progress or outcome and am expecting a call from him mid to late April.

I believe it is entirely possible to make change for the good one step at a time.  I hope this small step… was a step in the right direction.

**Oh, by the way my husband and I will also be leaving this bank and we have just a “wee bit” more than $21.00 in our savings! 

Money
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All content is original, courtesy of Therese VanderMeer - Realtor - FlexIt Realty

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Therese is selling and marketing properties in the Greater Grand Rapids, MI Area and surrounding communities while specializing in Jenison, Hudsonville and Grandville.

Contact Therese directly at 616-780-0786 or by email at tvmhomes@sbcglobal.net 

Happy to be Providing Buyers and Sellers a Higher Standard of Personalized Service

 

 

 

 

Comments (12)

Theresa Cavanaugh
Global Realty Marketing - Appleton, WI
Therese - YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!  I would have done the very same thing.  As I said in my previous post, my son's bank handled his situation much better.  Good luck in the future and Good for Corey.
Mar 19, 2007 10:30 AM
Midori Miller
Talk 2 Midori, LLC - Daytona Beach, FL
Online Marketing For Real Estate Professionals
Therese-I have 4 sons and would do the same!  You ARE WOMAN!  Corey you impress me, it takes a lot of courage to do what you did.  And I hate to be the one to say this, but again welcome to being an adult, sometimes life is not fair.  Who knows maybe the assistant manager may think twice the next time it happens to someone else and you know it will! Good for you standing your ground,  I bet you felt empowered, I know I would. Therese thanks for keeping us updated, I was just checking the other post to see if the update was there. I love this kind of stuff! 
Mar 19, 2007 01:13 PM
Therese VanderMeer
Midwest Properties of MI - Grand Rapids - Jenison, MI
Realtor-Greater Grand Rapids, MI area communities
Theresa:  Thanks so much!
Mar 19, 2007 10:55 PM
Therese VanderMeer
Midwest Properties of MI - Grand Rapids - Jenison, MI
Realtor-Greater Grand Rapids, MI area communities
Midori:  I will be sure to let Corey to read your comment...and I hope you're right in that he felt empowered for standing his ground for what he believed was right!
Mar 19, 2007 10:58 PM
Todd Clark - Retired
eXp Realty LLC - Tigard, OR
Principle Broker Oregon

Good for you. I'm not sure the right decission was to talk to the bank manager, hope corey isn't to mad. But, leaving the bank because what they did to your son is the right decission. I would like to say they have learned their lesson. But, I doubt it. It isn't big bank style.

 

Todd

Mar 20, 2007 12:18 AM
Heather Elias
Century 21 Redwood Realty - Ashburn, VA

Nicely handled! I think you made your point eloquently and were a wonderful advocate for your son (and other college students too!) Did you tell Corey that you did it? I think he should know his mom stood up for him...he has every right to be just as proud of you as you are of him!

Heather

Mar 20, 2007 12:37 AM
Therese VanderMeer
Midwest Properties of MI - Grand Rapids - Jenison, MI
Realtor-Greater Grand Rapids, MI area communities
Todd:  I would be very happy if they (the bank) simply thought twice with the next college student who come to them for help.  Maybe just pie in the sky thinking....but you never do know!  :)
Mar 20, 2007 01:05 AM
Therese VanderMeer
Midwest Properties of MI - Grand Rapids - Jenison, MI
Realtor-Greater Grand Rapids, MI area communities
Hi Heather...and thank you!  Actually I haven't told him yet although I did tell him I posted this Blog over what happened and let him know I'd like him to read it.  He's just been too busy and hasn't gotten to it yet.  Anyways, I believe once he has read how I handled it...didn't make it about him but about other future college students he will be fine with my reasoning.  
Mar 20, 2007 01:11 AM
Ed Vogt
Midwest Properties of Michigan - Grandville, MI
Grandville, MI Midwest Properties
It's not the anticipated outcome we were all hoping for, but lesson learned.
Mar 20, 2007 01:18 AM
Jim & Maria Hart
Brand Name Real Estate - Charleston, SC
Charleston, SC Real Estate
I do hope that the bank will seriously talk about your suggestions in their next meeting.  Several years ago I have trouble with the bank I had an account with that my parents opened for me when I was born.  Not to get into the story, but I ended up leaving that bank and joining another.  I had literally had an account with them for over 20 years, and the bank manager was one of my dad's cousins.  None of that really mattered to them, and I've been happy with the choice I made to move banks.  I'm sure your son will be better off, too.
Mar 20, 2007 05:01 AM
Therese VanderMeer
Midwest Properties of MI - Grand Rapids - Jenison, MI
Realtor-Greater Grand Rapids, MI area communities
Ed: Thanks.  It is my hope the big lesson learned was from the bank!  :)
Mar 20, 2007 11:21 AM
Therese VanderMeer
Midwest Properties of MI - Grand Rapids - Jenison, MI
Realtor-Greater Grand Rapids, MI area communities
Jim and Maria:  Thanks for stopping by my post! I believe Corey will be happy with the choice he has made also.  I still have a hard time understanding the whole thing though....just doesn't make good financial sense to me, what a waste!
Mar 20, 2007 11:23 AM