Posts by Charles Ramos7

Jesse Long2 said:The entire system is built on a foundation of privacy violations, yet they have the audacity to slap a "counter-terrorism" or "anti-money laundering" label on it to justify their reach. On one hand, you’re sitting there preaching about the freedoms you enjoy... but if you actually want to exercise those rights, they demand your fingerprint. If you won't give them a thumbprint, they won't give you an ID. But honestly, what does a standard ID card even have to do with biometric data?
Is that not blatant discrimination?
What was once considered unthinkable just a decade ago has become our everyday reality.
Then there are those who actually agree with being bugged because they claim they have nothing to hide. That’s just how their logic works.

Well, fingerprints and a criminal's identity are definitely linked, but if you aren't out there committing crimes, I don't see why it's an issue.

I'd also love to know what "excessive" personal data banks are actually hunting for. Aside from what they're legally required to collect, everything else is just for marketing.

Jesse Long2 said:They hand out an SSN to a kid the second they're born!!
Don't be so sensitive; just sign the damn papers.

Exactly. 🙄You guys worry about privacy at the bank, yet you spend all day posting every single detail of your lives on social media.🤦

Brian Moore12 said:So Dad greased the principal's palm, huh?

Dad basically bribed the people who are currently struggling with basic math or banking, and clearly, I wasn't one of them.☕

Brian Moore12 said:Yeah, real fascinating stuff. My head is starting to throb.
You're stuck in the first grade, so I guess this stuff actually seems interesting to you.

I didn't stay behind; I just grew out of that phase, while you clearly haven't.🍿

Brian Moore12 said:Even I managed to figure out what you were trying to say. And here he is, acting all intellectually superior and well-read, yet still wandering around lost...

It's funny how often people reach for the elementary school teacher trope. Get some new material already; you're all supposed to be so brilliant, right?
And how do you even know it was a female teacher and not a male one?😁

You're bored because you don't get it. ☕Try actually studying the material first, then we'll see if it's boring.😉

Brian Moore12 said:This isn't even about math.🙄

It's simple: when you take out a loan from big banks like Chase, no matter how bad the terms are, there's usually a limit. These banksters just seem to think they can operate without any boundaries at all.

As far as I know, there are legal limits on default interest, and I've never heard of a bank actually blowing past those caps.🤷
Actually, it is absolutely about math—the kind you learn in elementary school. And honestly, a little bit of attention to detail when reading the contract wouldn't hurt either.☕

Brian Moore12 said:Anything but the banks. Recent events have proven that our local banks are even worse than those predatory lenders out in the sticks.

I really have to wonder who taught you math in elementary school.🤦

I’m a Chase customer myself, mostly because I use their American Express card, and I’ve been pretty happy with them. My take on it is simple: if you just need a basic checking account without any bells and whistles, you're better off with a smaller local bank where the fees are lower. But if you want a full suite of services, sticking with the big players makes more sense.

And like Gaffney mentioned, you shouldn't really view banking services as an expense; instead, look at how you can maximize the value from what they offer.

This thread is for discussing the best banks when it comes to tech, features, and online banking... let's leave the mortgage and loan talk out of this one. 😠

Brian Moore12 said:Oh, really? I had no idea... Did you know they actually change laws sometimes?
And it's not like banks have to write them all themselves.

Of course they can. Though honestly, there’s no reason to let just anyone handle banking business.

Brian Moore12 said:The issue isn't about finding someone who can do it cheaper; it's about ensuring an American company—specifically one under domestic ownership—is the one doing the work. These banking giants rake in hundreds of millions in fees, and a massive chunk of those profits just gets shipped overseas.
At the end of the day, I want people to have options. People should be able to choose whether they want their checking account handled by a big bank or not.

So what does that actually do for me? Who’s to say a Kraft Heinz executive isn't also moving profits abroad just because they're American? Even if they aren't, I'm still not seeing any direct benefit to my own pocket.

Brian Moore12 said:The issue isn't about finding someone who can do it cheaper; it's about ensuring an American company—specifically one under domestic ownership—is the one doing the work. These banking giants rake in hundreds of millions in fees, and a massive chunk of those profits just gets shipped overseas.
At the end of the day, I want people to have options. People should be able to choose whether they want their checking account handled by a big bank or not.

That's already covered by law.

Brian Moore12 said:Of course there’s a cost, but we aren't talking about life-altering amounts here. Technology has moved on. I just checked my own account—my bank charges me $2.25 a month, and that doesn't even include the fee if I wanted them to mail me a statement via USPS.
In America, there are easily over three hundred million checking accounts out there—which translates to an annual revenue of roughly $30 billion. To you, that sounds like pocket change that wouldn't move the needle.
😵

Costs aren't just about IT; you've got everything from office rent to mandatory reserves. That $40 million figure is gross revenue, not profit, so it’s not as huge as it sounds. Plus, like I said before, why would anyone bother trying to undercut them?

Brian Moore12 said:And you're just a corporate shill.

Nothing would change? Give me a break. These banking vultures are charging me nearly $33 a year just for a checking account. And let's be real—those fees are pretty much identical across every major bank out there.

And if there weren't fees for managing an account, do you honestly think the IRS or someone else would just hand you that money as a gift? :klap:

Brian Moore12 said:It would make a difference because I—and plenty of other people—have zero interest in dealing with those bureaucratic banking dinosaurs. It's like how everyone stopped wanting to deal with Exelon, so now people just buy their electricity from other providers.

You're just frustrated and don't understand how money works, but honestly, nothing would actually change.

Brian Moore12 said:I did write it. Check post #27.

Anyway, while we're talking about direct deposits, why are we forced to use a specific bank just to receive our paychecks? Why can't we choose? Why couldn't we have our income sent through, say, Fidelity Investments or even a local shipping hub service? They're part of the payment system too, just like banks.
Of course, we don't get a choice because the banking cartel won't allow it.

I don't think they qualify as "payment system providers" in the sense of managing checking accounts. For instance, the post office uses Wells Fargo as a partner for those kinds of services. Besides, even if they could, what would actually change for us?

Brian Moore12 said:My comment was aimed at the geniuses thinking about taking out a loan for this guy.

I know you need a bank account to receive a salary. I'm not an idiot.

If that’s what you meant, why didn't you just say so? You didn't mention loans in the thread title or anywhere else in your posts.

Brian Moore12 said:Get out of the banks while you still can. Seriously, just run...

And where exactly am I supposed to get my paycheck delivered?🤦 Then I guess I'll be paying premium prices for everything in cash because I've abandoned all banking services and can't touch anything online. Thanks for the "brilliant" advice.😵

American cards work everywhere internationally, so I don't get why so many people think you need a foreign currency account just to shop abroad. 😕
If you ask me, when are we actually going to run into a situation—whether online or in a store—where they *only* accept credit cards? In that case, I’d just use my credit card (linked to my PayPal), my checking account, and online banking.

Raymond Vaughn8 said:Life insurance is the ultimate scam; run the other way as fast as you can.

Why's that?

Carol Sullivan said:Savings, savings, savings.
That's the way to go. More capital means higher interest.

Forget life insurance. I fell for that trap once and ended up losing nearly $1,100 when I broke my leg and had to stay bedridden for a month. They told me I wasn't eligible for a dime because it wasn't inpatient hospital treatment. Scumbags. Stay far away from it.

There are actually different types of coverage out there. If you're looking at disability or income protection, what does a broken leg have to do with it? 🤷