When opening an account at a bank, I've always sat down with someone to go over the different types of accounts based on my needs. This didn't seem to be the case when my 20yr old son mustered up all his courage to go into Webster and open an account for himself. He has extreme social anxiety and high functioning autism. There are only certain places he's comfortable going on his own. He walked to Webster Bank a few times before going inside with $250 cash to open an account. I was so proud of him, I didn't think to look over what he signed (yes, that's my fault). Turns out, the account he opened was a checking account with a monthly fee, unless he had direct deposit. He doesn't have a job, and I know they asked him if he did because they selected unemployed in his record. The fee is $12/month... for an account with $250 in it. Then somehow another $2 was added to that for not going "paperless", and another $5 for inactivity. This bank opened an account for a kid who very clearly had no steady income, and thought it was the right choice for him?
As of today, his account has been drained by Webster. What started as a courageous $250 deposit turned to $0. When I found this out, I took him to the bank to see if there was anything we could do to recover the money. I was told at most, $75 could be reimbursed....BUT only if he opened a new account since his closed from inactivity and $0 balance. I was told they no longer offer free accounts without direct deposit...the best they have is a savings account with $300 minimum. If he closes the account early, there would be a penalty. So, in order to get $75 of HIS money back, we'd have to deposit an additional $225. Not a chance. A comment was also made that even though he's unemployed and doesn't have an income for direct deposit, "he DID have a lump sum of cash to deposit". Saving $250 from Christmas and birthdays does NOT mean he wants to spend it on bank fees.
I'd hoped that whoever helped my son open an account that day would have recognized his anxiety and shown some kindness in directing him. I'm sure he stumbled over questions, and can't provide his address or ss# without looking at his cards in his wallet. ANY young adult opening an account for the first time should be guided through the process so they understand. Instead, my son must have looked like a walking dollar sign.
Unrelated to this incident, there was no line (I wonder why), and the teller was courteous and quick when closing out my other account as requested. However, I was hoping to sit down with someone to discuss my son's account rather than stand at the desk for everyone to hear my business. The manager was behind a door and didn't show his or her face at all. We were there at 3:30 (I called first and set up a time to come in), and at least 4 times we were reminded that they were closing soon (5pm). Whether it was because the manager was leaving at 4, or someone else was gone for the day, or talking between coworkers that "I'm with a customer so I'm done after this"... This visit fell very short of what I expect in a bank. read more