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Really need to find a new bank!

kenshin

Regular Member
Joined
May 15, 2008
Messages
285
Location
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
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Wow, apparently when I have a bad OC day, I really have a bad OC day.

I had decided to leave USBank due to non-2A reasons (they screwed me on some OD charges) after I decided to close my accounts there I went over to Rainier Pacific and opened an account there. At first they seemed fine with my Kimber on my hip. The lady I opened my account with asked if it was real, I told her yes and then she went on to say that she used to live in Texas and was used to seeing that "kind of thing". Confused me a little bit since Texas is not an OC friendly state :? but I didn't say anthing about it.

A few days later, got my new card in the mail, also got a piece of Certified Mail, had to sign for it and everything. I broke the seal on the mail and opened it. It contained a letter from USbank that read the following.

Mr. ******,

This letter is to notify you that US Bank prohibits firearms including handguns, weather
(yes, I know they misspelled "whether", but hey I didn't write this letter) concealed or not, in it's branches or on it's property. The only exception would be Law Enforcement officers and authorized Security personal (misspelled "personnel" as well). US Bank branches are private property and US Bank is within it's rights to prohibit firearms on the premises. Please know that as a valuable customer you are welcome to visit any US Bank branch, however US Bank insists that you do so without a firearm. In the future if you bring a firearm with you onto US Bank property you will be considered to be trespassing. Please feel free to call me at ***-***-**** if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
T. Violo
Corporate Security Investigations


Completely blindsided by this since no one has ever asked me to leave the primary bank branch that I went to. No one's even mentioned it to me before. I'm still in the process of contacting corporate to see what's going on here. Also, correct me if I'm wrong but they cannot trespass me if no one has asked me to leave yet, right?

Anyways, right after I read this letter I headed to Rainier Pac to activate my new card and as soon as I walked in the lady that I originally opened my account with stood up and said that she had contacted corporate and they would not allow my firearm inside the building. She said I could go through the drive thru. #$*&ing insulting. Told them I'd be back later to close my account. I turned around and walked right back outside.

Frustrated at this point, I walk over to Key Bank. I walk in and start talking to the rep. there, after all I need to bank somewhere. I can tell they notice the firearm but nobody says anything. Not wanting to go through the whole process of setting up an account and getting kicked out again I ask upfront if I'm going to have any problems carrying my gun. The guy says he's never been asked that before but said he would call the corporate manager and check. So after 10-15 minutes of waiting while he's on the phone he finally gets back to me and says that corporate says it's okay as long as I conceal. I as him why they insist on me concealing. He gives the normal BS about it scaring the other customers. So I walk out of yet another bank today.

At this point I'm a little more than frustrated, not mad just irritated. I walk over to the last bank in the area, yes there are four banks in one parking lot, Kitsap Credit Union. Finally a somewhat positive reaction. I talked with the manager there about opening an account but that it depended on my ability to carry my firearm. She believed that they are okay with it but would check into it further. She asked for my phone number, which I gave her, and said she would call me back.


Arggg, so at this point I'm bankless and about to just stuff all my money into a mattress and hide it in the closet. :what: Okay, so not really but still.....


Anbody know of a good bank thats OC friendly in the Gig Harbor area?

I still need to check with US Bank and Rainier Pac. corporate just to be certain of their anti-firearm policies, but pending conclusion of those contacts I would suggest adding them to the DNP list.
 

sv_libertarian

State Researcher
Joined
Aug 15, 2007
Messages
3,201
Location
Olympia, WA, ,
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Wow that sucks. I haven't OC'd at my bank (Wells Fargo) but I have been told by managers there that their policy is to allow carry per state law. Plus they don't have those BS "no hats or dark glasses" policies that do NOTHING to stop robbery.
 

Gray Peterson

Founder's Club Member - Moderator
Joined
May 12, 2006
Messages
2,236
Location
Lynnwood, Washington, USA
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Here's how I'd respond. Call around US Bank corporate and see who his boss and his boss' boss is, and send him this letter.

"Mr (Whoever),

I am displeased to inform you that your Corporate Security Investigator, in his communication to me as a former customer, is obviously so uneducated that he cannot spell words correctly or use proper grammar (see Attached) See "weather" and other things that I have highlighted. That's not even 5th grade writing level. If this is the kind of caliber of employees that your company hires, then it's no wonder that I closed my account with your company."

"On top of the fact that your workforce seems to be quite uneducated , Mr. Violo brought forth a policy that was previously unknown or anyone else that I know of. Due to this outrage, I will not only report this incident and this letter to all of my local friends and acquaintances (who number in the hundreds), I will also send this letter to every state organization that deals with gun owners rights issues, as well as the National Rifle Association and the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms so that they may advise their members to not patronize your business. The NRA has over 4 million members, and CCRKBA has over half a million, many of their members have a policy of not patronizing any bank or organization that willfully treats it's gun owning customers like second-class citizens."

I eagerly await your response."

Regards,

(Whoever)
 

Tawnos

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2008
Messages
2,542
Location
Washington
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Lonnie Wilson wrote:
Here's how I'd respond. Call around US Bank corporate and see who his boss and his boss' boss is, and send him this letter.

"Mr (Whoever),

I am displeased to inform you that your Corporate Security Investigator, in his communication to me as a former customer, is obviously so uneducated that he cannot spell words correctly or use proper grammar (see Attached) See "weather" and other things that I have highlighted. That's not even 5th grade writing level. If this is the kind of caliber of employees that your company hires, then it's no wonder that I closed my account with your company."

"On top of the fact that your workforce seems to be quite uneducated , Mr. Violo brought forth a policy that was previously unknown or anyone else that I know of. Due to this outrage, I will not only report this incident and this letter to all of my local friends and acquaintances (who number in the hundreds), I will also send this letter to every state organization that deals with gun owners rights issues, as well as the National Rifle Association and the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms so that they may advise their members to not patronize your business. The NRA has over 4 million members, and CCRKBA has over half a million, many of their members have a policy of not patronizing any bank or organization that willfully treats it's gun owning customers like second-class citizens."

I eagerly await your response."

Regards,

(Whoever)
Don't make the same mistake the security guy did!

its = it owns
it's = it is

Otherwise, nice :)
 

DEROS72

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 18, 2008
Messages
2,817
Location
Valhalla
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Wow thats really odd because I bank with US bank and have had exemplary service, even standing at the counter with my para totally visible and they haven't said a word.Well i take that back.The manager told me to cover my weapon once and said it was illegal. I gave him a pamphlet and have had no issues since .My daughter is a branch manager for WAMU,I thinkI will ask her what their policiy is.
 

Bear 45/70

Regular Member
Joined
May 22, 2007
Messages
3,256
Location
Union, Washington, USA
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This guy, Mr Violo, is so stupid that this may not be the banks policy at all but his total misconception or even an ego power trip he is on. I notice he did not include a copy of this so called corporate policy. Yeah, I would take it over his head.
 

just_a_car

Regular Member
Joined
May 28, 2007
Messages
2,558
Location
Auburn, Washington, USA
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I have OC'd twice into BECU in Everett and a few other times used the ATM's in their lobby while OC'ing and never had an issue.

I would imagine that most banks don't disallow firearms for the simple fact that their customers sometimes deal in VERY large quantities of cash and don't want to be unarmed while doing so. Now, disallowing OC, I could see being a policy of a bank, but I would imagine that allowing CC would also follow that.
 

Bill Starks

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Joined
Dec 27, 2007
Messages
4,304
Location
Nortonville, KY, USA
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I bank at BECU but the branch is located in a Safeway store and I've had no issue. I also bank at Bank of America and was in the Fife branch on the 5th with my 1911 and had no issues. The security guard at the US Bank on 38th St asked if I had a permit to carry when I went in to cash a check. I've never had another issue with them.
When I carry in a bank I also ensure I do not have on sunglasses or hat.
 

deepdiver

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Apr 2, 2007
Messages
5,820
Location
Southeast, Missouri, USA
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I do a lot of business at US Bank here in MO. I have yet to visit a branch that is a posted GFZ even in the St. Louis area. OC hasn't been an issue as I have always been CC when visiting, but CC certainly is not prohibited at US Bank in this area. If it is a corporate policy as stated in the letter, they certainly haven't gotten the memo in eastern MO.
 

LongRider

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Joined
Apr 10, 2008
Messages
143
Location
Skok Rez, Washington, USA
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kenshin wrote:
Also, correct me if I'm wrong but they cannot trespass me if no one has asked me to leave yet, right?
FYI The letter is notice i.e. the request that you not enter USBank property while carrying a gun. It is their request that you leave, it is why they wrote the letter to you. So in the future if you do enter the property you with a gun you will be trespassing. They will use the letter to show that you had been asked not to enter the property while armed.
 

Hammer

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 9, 2008
Messages
448
Location
Skagit Valley, Washington
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I have had no problem OCing in my local BOA. I have other reasons for some displeasure with BOA, but OC isn't on the list.
I get an occasional stink-eye from an employee, but no words.
 

Nebulis01

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2007
Messages
113
Location
Snohomish, Washington, USA
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I have banked while OCing at WaMu locations from Auburn to Bellingham and never had an issue. The Mill Creek local @ 164th st knows me by name and even comment when I'm not OCing. I've never been asked to produce ID/CPL or to cover it up they just let me do my business and get me on my way.
 

kenshin

Regular Member
Joined
May 15, 2008
Messages
285
Location
Gig Harbor, Washington, USA
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LongRider wrote:
kenshin wrote:
Also, correct me if I'm wrong but they cannot trespass me if no one has asked me to leave yet, right?
FYI The letter is notice i.e. the request that you not enter USBank property while carrying a gun. It is their request that you leave, it is why they wrote the letter to you. So in the future if you do enter the property you with a gun you will be trespassing. They will use the letter to show that you had been asked not to enter the property while armed.
But wouldn't this letter fall under the same category as those no-gun stickers that businesses put in the windows? In Washington those have no legal standing on their own, you can ignore them until they ask you to leave.

I'm not advocating that they shouldn't be entitled to their private property rights, I absolutely agree that they should have the right to ask me to leave. However, on the other hand they are still holding a significant amount my money that I feel I should have the right to protect when I go to close my last account there.
 

Phssthpok

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Joined
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Messages
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Location
, ,
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kenshin wrote:
LongRider wrote:
kenshin wrote:
Also, correct me if I'm wrong but they cannot trespass me if no one has asked me to leave yet, right?
FYI The letter is notice i.e. the request that you not enter USBank property while carrying a gun. It is their request that you leave, it is why they wrote the letter to you. So in the future if you do enter the property you with a gun you will be trespassing. They will use the letter to show that you had been asked not to enter the property while armed.
But wouldn't this letter fall under the same category as those no-gun stickers that businesses put in the windows? In Washington those have no legal standing on their own, you can ignore them until they ask you to leave.

I'm not advocating that they shouldn't be entitled to their private property rights, I absolutely agree that they should have the right to ask me to leave. However, on the other hand they are still holding a significant amount my money that I feel I should have the right to protect when I go to close my last account there.
Since the letter was sent 'signed reciept', then it could be argued (probbably sucessfully) that he was given specific notice of thier request, and the conditions under which he would be concidered 'trespassing'.

A sticker is a general notice, and could easily be innocently missed.
 

Bear 45/70

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I still think Mr."I can't spell and am too stupid to use spell check" is not actually knowledgeable on the subject and is misrepresenting the issue. You need to contact his boss or even a VP of the bank. In the past when doing race equipment transactions, cash was often required and I don't walk around with up to $4000 in my pocket without a gun. The 2 banks I use have no problem with that either.

The letter suffices to have you ticketed for trepassif you carry again on the banks property.
 

deepdiver

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Apr 2, 2007
Messages
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Southeast, Missouri, USA
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So go through the drive-thru. You have made your point as well as you are going to make it. They have made their point. This is not worth getting arrested over I wouldn't think. They have sent you written notice to not bring your gun to their banks, sent certified mail, return receipt I am sure. That beats the heck out of "well I said to him" in a court of law.

Being that I have been in US Bank locations throughout MO and several in KY and have seen none of them posted as GFZ, this does not appear to be a national policy. US Bank is a national bank. This appears to be a local or regional policy. Rather than fighting it with people who have obviously already made up their minds, I agree that you need to take it to a higher level to have a chance at a positive resolution.


Lonnie Wilson wrote:
Here's how I'd respond. Call around US Bank corporate and see who his boss and his boss' boss is, and send him this letter.

"Mr (Whoever),

I am displeased to inform you that your Corporate Security Investigator, in his communication to me as a former customer, is obviously so uneducated that he cannot spell words correctly or use proper grammar (see Attached) See "weather" and other things that I have highlighted. That's not even 5th grade writing level. If this is the kind of caliber of employees that your company hires, then it's no wonder that I closed my account with your company."

"On top of the fact that your workforce seems to be quite uneducated , Mr. Violo brought forth a policy that was previously unknown to me or other customers with whom I discussed this matter. Due to this outrage, I will not only report this incident and this letter to all of my local friends and acquaintances (who number in the hundreds), I will also send this letter to every state organization that deals with gun owners rights issues, as well as the National Rifle Association and the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms so that they may advise their members to not patronize your business. The NRA has over 4 million members, and CCRKBA has over half a million, many of their members have a policy of not patronizing any bank or organization that willfully treats its gun owning customers like second-class citizens."

I eagerly await your response."

Regards,

(Whoever)
Good letter. Just adding my .02 to an omission (left out "to me" I think and I really hate sentences ending in prepositions and you would too if you grew up with my mother) and the one spelling error pointed out by Twanos.

edit: spelling.
 

Bear 45/70

Regular Member
Joined
May 22, 2007
Messages
3,256
Location
Union, Washington, USA
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deepdiver wrote:
So go through the drive-thru. You have made your point as well as you are going to make it. They have made their point. This is not worth getting arrested over I wouldn't think. They have sent you written notice to not bring your gun to their banks, sent certified mail, return receipt I am sure. That beats the heck out of "well I said to him" in a court of law.

Being that I have been in US Bank locations throughout MO and several in KY and have seen none of them posted as GFZ, this does not appear to be a national policy. US Bank is a national bank. This appears to be a local or regional policy. Rather than fighting it with people who have obviously already made up their minds, I agree that you need to take it to a higher level to have a chance at a positive resolution.


Lonnie Wilson wrote:
Here's how I'd respond. Call around US Bank corporate and see who his boss and his boss' boss is, and send him this letter.

"Mr (Whoever),

I am displeased to inform you that your Corporate Security Investigator, in his communication to me as a former customer, is obviously so uneducated that he cannot spell words correctly or use proper grammar (see Attached) See "weather" and other things that I have highlighted. That's not even 5th grade writing level. If this is the kind of caliber of employees that your company hires, then it's no wonder that I closed my account with your company."

"On top of the fact that your workforce seems to be quite uneducated , Mr. Violo brought forth a policy that was previously unknown to me or other customers with whom I discussed this matter. Due to this outrage, I will not only report this incident and this letter to all of my local friends and acquaintances (who number in the hundreds), I will also send this letter to every state organization that deals with gun owners rights issues, as well as the National Rifle Association and the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms so that they may advise their members to not patronize your business. The NRA has over 4 million members, and CCRKBA has over half a million, many of their members have a policy of not patronizing any bank or organization that willfully treats its gun owning customers like second-class citizens."

I eagerly await your response."

Regards,

(Whoever)
Good letter. Just adding my .02 to an omission (left out "to me" I think and I really hate sentences ending in prepositions and you would too if you grew up with my mother) and the one spelling error pointed out by Twanos.

edit: spelling.
If I can't walk in to their place of business, they can do without my money. Besides, "Corporate Security Investigations"? That doesn't tell if this guy is "head of" or just a bank guard, aka a "mall ninja". I'm betting on the latter from his letter. He would have the same attitude if he was working at WalMart an their corporate policy is good to go on carrying guns.
 

JSK333

Regular Member
Joined
May 20, 2006
Messages
190
Location
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
imported post

I don't see how it's a corporate policy. None of the US Banks here in the Cincinnati, Ohio area are posted. I've also OC'ed into five or six without any issues.

I had also emailed their main customer service website about it and they replied that it would depend on the laws of the State in which the bank was, and be up to each bank. This was before Ohio had a concealed-carry law, when only OC was completely legal.

So, don't give up just yet...
 

just_a_car

Regular Member
Joined
May 28, 2007
Messages
2,558
Location
Auburn, Washington, USA
imported post

M1Gunr wrote:
I bank at BECU but the branch is located in a Safeway store and I've had no issue. I also bank at Bank of America and was in the Fife branch on the 5th with my 1911 and had no issues. The security guard at the US Bank on 38th St asked if I had a permit to carry when I went in to cash a check. I've never had another issue with them.
When I carry in a bank I also ensure I do not have on sunglasses or hat.
+1.
Forgot to mention that I've OC'd while banking at the sattelite BECU in my local Safeway no less than 6 times. Two or three of which I was getting a cashier's check cut for a gunbroker auction and through general conversation with the cashier, made it clear what the check was for.

I know that many people and the cashiers at the sattelite bank saw my OC, but none said anything.

At the same time, I don't know if the policy is that of "State Law is our policy".
 

Flanders007

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2008
Messages
81
Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
imported post

I am waiting to hear back from the branch manager of Wells Fargo in Federal Way regarding OC'ing. I went in there last Wednesday and decided to leave it in the car to avoid any issues, but I did ask the manager what their policy was. I don't bank there per se, but they do have my mortgage, so to save a stamp I just pay my mortgage in person.

I have normal account at Columbia Bank, and both the Federal Way branch and the Bellevue branch are ok with it. I made friends with most of the tellers/managers so they know who I am. They are not a huge bank, but have grown quite well since I opened my account with them over 10 years ago. I think the main thing is whether or not the management knows who you are. Policy aside, it does help if you have a relationship with the employees.

Flanders
 
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