Zero Stars. While the people who staff the brick and mortar branches are over-the-top friendly and helpful. I recently received a call from someone whose job it was to make "courtesy calls". I couldn't answer the phone when it rang. They didn't leave a message. I Googled the call number and it was identified as my Regions Bank branch office. I called the number back and the woman who answered would not reply to my question as to why the bank called me without my giving her my social security number and confirming when my driver license expired! I advised her that the previous year I had asked the bank to stop making the marketing calls and was upset that they were continuing to do so even after my request. I informed the woman I did not want to receive ANY calls from the bank, to which she replied - what if there were fraud detected with one of your accounts? To which I responded, if there were fraud I would not be receiving a call from HER office.
I hung up and called the 800 number and the people on that phone line were a little alarmed that I had been asked for personal identification information - something all banks say they never do when making a call. The 800 line staff was able to confirm the phone number that had called me was a legitimate bank branch number and they connected me with the original person who had made the call, not leaving any message.
He apologized, said he was only making a 'courtesy call' to let me know about bank products for investments. I told him I did not appreciate him or Regions bank trolling my bank accounts looking to churn them to make profit for themselves. I felt it was a predatory practice. You see, I have a moderately large amount of money sitting in a savings account - the banks direct their staff to go looking for pots of money (my money - and yours) that are good targets in hopes of converting my cash and your cash into their profits. These are the same brilliant operators who brought us the Great Recession - a 2.0 upgrade of the Great Depression. I advised him that I had made a previous request that the bank not make marketing calls to me and that I was disappointed that this request had been violated. He said he only wanted to make me aware of a money market account available that I could "invest in" that would keep PART OF MY MONEY available to me on a moments notice. I advised him that I had the cash sitting in a savings account for a good reason, which was none of his business, and that it was not something for him to worry about. I further advised him that the date my driver license expires is absolutely none of his business. That is a matter between me and the state. He gave me some limp response about using it as an ID if it were expired. I advised him my license is in good standing and nothing for him to be concerned about. I was told my account would be noted as 'do not call for marketing'. We shall see. In the meanwhile, I will look for a different institution wherein I can deposit my money and not be preyed upon by vultures. read more
