Posts by briskjackal5

+1 for MG

-Steve

I guess I should probably start by saying that I'm just sharing my two cents here! But honestly, looking at what was said... I mean, wow. It’s kind of wild when you think about it, right? Maybe I'm overthinking things, but it feels like we're really getting into the meat of the issue now! Anyway, I'll try to break this down as best as I can, though I might be totally off base!

Timothy Davis3 said:So, if I’ve got seven different accounts open at JPMorgan Chase, I guess that means I’m stuck paying for seven different servers and seven different software licenses too... what a joke.

Man, they’re just bleeding money paying some massive army of tech geeks to build these overly complicated interfaces.

Yeah, I mean, if you haven't even finished a three-year high school program, it’s honestly pretty hard to wrap your head around why anyone would trust someone to run a bank or handle interest rates when they can barely manage a shovel. Yours. Does money even need to be out here charging some massive fee just for providing some absolute nonsense services?

Should we be celebrating because they finally graced us with this? Does this mean we can actually hit up an ATM without getting hit with some ridiculous fee?

I mean, that’s really just one of those key points about how banks actually function within the whole flow of the economy, I guess!

So, basically, it’s all about moving funds from those units that have a surplus of cash over to the ones running a bit of a deficit—like entrepreneurs or small business owners, I guess. They essentially take that extra liquidity and put it right back into the economy!

briskjackal5

wiredlynx28 said:Do some digging online first. If you’re still feeling lost, just hit up your bank via email—they'll give you the most reliable answer. 👍

... Because, I guess, a branch manager isn't really considered part of the main bank headquarters and might not be fully in the loop... 😁

-Steve

wiredlynx28 said:When you walk into a bank, just ask for their client questionnaire. You'll see clearly marked what's mandatory and what's elective, along with specific citations stating why certain info is required under statute 👍
.
Then there are those people who get all worked up and attack the bank, only to have their checking account closed immediately.
A quick copy-paste from the General Terms and Conditions:
The Bank reserves the discretionary right to refuse a Client's request to establish any business relationship with the Bank without explanation.

It works the same way when they terminate a relationship without explanation. Then clients jump to their own conclusions—thinking it was because of an "optional" question that was actually mandatory, etc.—all without actually looking up the facts. They can sever a business relationship for various reasons, most commonly because
- the Client provided false or inaccurate personal data, or other information necessary for the proper and lawful provision of services when signing the checking account contract or a specific additional service contract;
- the Client's account activity damages the Bank's reputation;
- the Bank is unable to perform due diligence measures in accordance with the provisions of the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act;
- the Client acts contrary to the mandatory regulations of the United States and societal morals.
Upon termination of the checking account contract, the Client and any authorized representatives are required to return all cards and other instruments or documents received from the Bank related to the checking account. Furthermore, the Client is obligated to settle all outstanding obligations regarding the checking account, including interest and fees.

And for those claiming they were wronged by questions regarding children and such—did you even file a formal grievance?
Another copy-paste from the bank's terms:
If a Client believes their rights in a business relationship with the Bank have been violated or that their Account has been unfairly charged, they are authorized and obligated to submit a written grievance to the Bank without delay via mail to the business address, fax, or email, or by delivering it to a bank branch, clearly marking it as a grievance. Bank employees will forward the grievance to the competent department for dispute resolution. The grievance must include a detailed description of the event/situation as well as evidence demonstrating the grounds for the Client's claim. If the description or evidence is incomplete, the Bank may request that the Client supplement the grievance. The bodies conducting the grievance resolution process and their authorities are governed by Bank policies.

This is just one of those little shady tricks they try to pull all the time.

You mentioned that all this info is available online, though.

But now, regarding that question... I mean, someone would actually have to go somewhere in person to check that... 😁

-briskjackal5

wiredlynx28 said:Look, providing info about children is strictly optional, so there's no requirement there.
Everything should be completely transparent at any major US bank—you can find all the data, disclaimers, and general terms of service right online.
And regarding the cancellation policy, I didn't just pull that out of thin air; it's clearly listed in the bank's online database.

Oh, would you look at that! 😁

So, which ones are actually "mandatory" then?

Everything is super transparent, I really believe that—with all the banks out there. It’s all available online, too, including the data, the disclaimers, and the general terms and conditions.

Yeah, sure, everything is just *so* transparent.
That’s exactly why they try to sneak stuff in under the guise of FATCA here and there, and that's also why you haven't even touched on my questions about which internal requirements actually exist and where they're listed... 😁

-Stipe

wiredlynx28 said:@ briskjackal5

It’s absolutely comparable.
To me, a fingerprint is an intensely private matter; I wouldn't just hand that over without a second thought.
If your analogy leads you to believe this is pointless, then clearly a fingerprint isn't as vital to you as knowing whether someone has children or not.
That’s some serious nonsense, honestly. 🙂

I don't see why it's so hard to grasp that a bank operates under its own internal policies in addition to federal regulations.
If you aren't comfortable sharing that data, then don't share it and just move on.

Well, nobody was actually disputing that. Not at all!

It’s just that there’s this one practical question hanging in the air. I mean, maybe you could just tell us which ones are those "internal but mandatory" rules—like, say, at your bank? That way, clients who want to just "move on" can figure out which banks to avoid, saving everyone a whole lot of time... 😁

And then you kind of play this naive role through the whole thread, trying really hard to bring up "closing accounts" out of nowhere during a conversation where it doesn't even really fit.
Especially in moments when people are literally asking *where* and *what* these questions are that might lead to an account being closed, so maybe the staff shouldn't even bother opening them if they aren't willing to comply. 😁

wiredlynx28 said:@ briskjackal5

I’ll say this: personally, I find fingerprinting to be a much more intimate and private matter than asking about children. But if you see it differently, hey, everyone has their own preferences.👍

As for me, I guess I just don't like feeling like I'm being played or misled.

-Stipe

wiredlynx28 said:@ briskjackal5

It’s absolutely comparable.
To me, a fingerprint is an intensely private matter; I wouldn't just hand that over without a second thought.
If your analogy leads you to believe this is pointless, then clearly a fingerprint isn't as vital to you as knowing whether someone has children or not.
That’s some serious nonsense, honestly. 🙂

I don't see why it's so hard to grasp that a bank operates under its own internal policies in addition to federal regulations.
If you aren't comfortable sharing that data, then don't share it and just move on.

Well then, just don't give it to them! 😁

-Stipe

wiredlynx28 said:To authorize something via fingerprint, you need an actual fingerprint, right?
And if they refuse to provide info about their children, I guarantee the fingerprint will easily 🤣

Authorization just confirms that you're actually you. That's really all there is to it! Nothing else, I guess.
He isn't giving away any of his private info.
So, I mean, honestly? That whole analogy just doesn't really hold water. It's kind of a stretch, I guess!

I mean, getting that kind of Authorization around here? It’s such a massive uphill battle, honestly. Just a total trek to get anything moving. But hey, the surveyors are actually on-site today, so maybe things might finally start looking up!
It’s honestly just like those constant little attempts you make to manipulate the thread. Seriously! 😁

feraljackal2 said:I honestly think the real issue here is the government—they just haven't stepped up to handle their own responsibilities properly. This whole FATCA Questionnaire mess should have been managed at the federal level, through the IRS or whatever agency handles anti-money laundering compliance. If they really wanted cooperation, they could just freeze accounts or block things like tax refunds and vehicle registrations until people comply. Then everyone would be rushing to finish the paperwork—but instead, we have everyone taking their frustrations out on bank tellers? It’s not fair to lash out at employees who are just doing their jobs; they don't care about anyone's personal life, but they have to ask those specific questions because it's on the form. Some of these questions feel incredibly blunt—almost ridiculous—like asking if you've ever even thought about terrorism, but hey, if that's what the higher-ups demand, that's what you get.

I mean, I guess that really only applies to FATCA.

We’ve actually talked about this plenty of times before—how the staff here basically get caught in this impossible tug-of-war. On one side, you've got their bosses breathing down their necks, and on the other, you've got clients who they're trying to nudge toward certain products under the guise of "necessity." It’s like they try to play the FATCA card or bring up anti-terrorism and money laundering laws just to make it seem mandatory, when really, they're just trying to close a deal. I guess it's just how they operate!

I mean, honestly, who cares if some chubby guy she’s seeing is a total loser? It’s really none of my business what a bank teller does in her private life!

Who cares about her? Honestly! I mean, besides that, do you even use mobile banking or something else—like some specific "product" they’re just dying to pitch you and charge you for?

But honestly, they’re probably going to grill you about it, just because the higher-ups are basically forcing their hand.

Hey there! I guess I should probably start by saying... wow! Just, wow. I mean, I’ve been thinking about this for a bit, and honestly? It’s just a lot to process. Maybe I'm overthinking it, but I really feel like we need to dive deep into this. I'm just so excited to get the conversation moving! Anyway, let's get into it!

wiredlynx28 said:And then you have the people complaining about being asked if they have kids. Just wait until fingerprint-secured cards become the standard—technology that’s already being rolled out in the modern world where a client physically holds the card against a sensor during a transaction to authorize it. When that happens, they'll be the ones leading the revolution. 🤣

I don't think there's really any comparison between how authorization works and the questions you're bringing up here. 😁

wiredlynx28 said:Just ask the bank.
The stuff about marketing and other fluff is just simple yes or no questions at the very end of the Questionnaire.
If a client is confused, they should always ask for help. They shouldn't just wing it based on some "I think I've got this" attitude—usually, people act like they know everything when they really don't, and they end up being wrong.

Your reply doesn't make much sense without actually having that data.

You didn't even really address vividranger8's post, to be honest. 😁

-briskjackal5

So, what does that Questionnaire actually look like?
What exactly falls under the "mandatory" category here?
And where, specifically, in the disclaimer does it mention marketing and sales—you know, the part mentioned in the (quoted!) vividranger8's post?
Why is it that they just tack on those famous little "purpose-specific" addendums requiring consent right alongside FATCA and the Directives? 😁

-briskjackal5

Gary Reed9 said:I honestly don't get why you guys are even bothering to tackle these questions—it feels like you're just grasping at straws here. Look, if you aren't prepared to be blunt and honest about what's actually happening, then just walk away. It’s that simple. Once you give them the straight truth, they'll just take that data, shuffle it into some corporate spreadsheet for "household services" or "personal loan eligibility," and call it a day. They'll file it away, and you probably won't hear from them again anyway, which—let's be real—is likely exactly how you want it.

Well, yeah, that's just how this topic goes. That's the whole point, I guess. 😁

Quinn:

You all agree that you'd rather just lie and say goodbye.

I mean, I'm not totally sure if lying in situations like this is really something people can just brush off so easily.

Maybe most people do, but I just don't see the point in taking that risk, personally.

-Steve

So, come on, just point me to where it says this specific set of questions is absolutely mandatory and non-negotiable.

I mean, I don't want to waste anyone's time trying to build a business relationship only to end up wandering around and waiting in line at banks that aren't even a good fit for us.

What's the actual deal here? Like, why won't banks just be upfront and say they have this policy if they really do? Why keep it under wraps when you're telling me we can't even work with them because of it?
I just don't get it. The whole thing feels totally illogical to me.😁

-Steve

Hey, could you tell the group which specific bank actually includes questions about where or with whom you sleep in their "terms and conditions"?
Just so we're all in the loop.
And also, which one is planning to just shut down accounts for anyone they don't have that info on?

You still haven't really specified which ones you mean. And honestly, I don't think it's just those banks alone. 😁

-briskjackal5

Look, the bank really doesn't care about closing your account just because they found out who you're sleeping with.
I mean, they’re still making money off you regardless of what's happening in your private life.

Sure, they’d love to know even more—they probably want every little detail—and I guess that’s why they push those tellers at the branch to dig for info (kind of like how they pressure them to upsell services or "products" to customers), but if they actually shut down your account, then suddenly that profit drops from something to zero.
In an ideal world for them, they'd know everything about everyone and create this vibe where you "have" to share, but honestly, being that nosy would probably backfire big time and lead to a massive PR nightmare.

Anyway, they don't have any obligation to care about anything other than maybe those few questions regarding the USA and politics.
They don't owe you anything else.

-briskjackal5

wiredlynx28 said:Not necessarily, but if a bank like Chase considers a specific piece of information a "must-have," they simply won't open an account or maintain a relationship with a client who refuses to provide it. They'll just close or freeze accounts—either because the government mandates it or because it's just their own internal policy.
The truth is, they ask for these details to get a better profile of the client and to beef up their relationship through tailored product offerings. For example, if someone has children, it’s reasonable to assume they’ll need more liquidity, so banks might offer pre-approved higher credit limits or other services based on those specific life stages and financial capacity. Otherwise, quite frankly, the bank couldn't care less how many kids someone has.

See?

but if a bank like Chase decides that info is a total must-have, then they just won't open an account or work with a client who refuses to share it—so they end up closing or freezing accounts. I mean, if the government mandates it, fine, but if it’s just their own internal policies, that's on them.

I don't think anyone actually had their account shut down just because they wouldn't say how many kids they have.

Also, they're totally free to go public with those policies if they wanted to. But, you know... that doesn't really happen... 😁

That would be nothing but bad PR for them.

There’s probably a reason you aren't even naming them here.

They ask for that stuff to get a better feel for the customer and to improve the relationship by tailoring product offers.

Sure, right.

Because, like, if someone has kids, you'd expect they might need more funds, so some banks offer pre-approved larger loans or whatever, depending on their business model and the client's extra data. Otherwise, the bank honestly couldn't care less about how many kids someone has.

Exactly.

-Stipe

wiredlynx28 said:That’s because those specific metrics are what that particular bank tracks—it doesn't mean every other institution operates the same way.
It's like how one bank might limit your overdraft to a single paycheck, while another might let you go three or five times depending on their own internal math.👍

I don't think any bank out there has ever actually been fined just because they didn't know how many kids you have. I guess that's just not how it works.

-briskjackal5

Lawrence Wright80 said:I have no idea how Zábank managed to close my account without ever asking for those infamous details in the first place.

My account was frozen, so I told them I wanted to shut it down and withdraw my funds. The teller's only question was why I was closing it... because I didn't need it anymore, and that was that.

Ten minutes later, I walked into Chase, opened a new account, and nobody bothered me with any stupid questions.

I mean, Chase basically got hit with a massive fine because they apparently don't even know how many kids you have 😁

-briskjackal5

Just muddied the waters. 😁

-Steve

I think you’re getting way too worked up about what other people decide to do with their own cash.
It feels kind of weird to me that this whole thread was even sparked by someone debating whether or not they should open a bank account a certain way. 😁

-briskjackal5

wiredlynx28 said:Aside from FATCA requirements, banks have their own internal criteria regarding client data. This isn't even tied to federal law; it’s just a prerequisite if you want to establish or maintain a business relationship with them. This includes specific questions about how you intend to conduct your banking activities.
I had a similar experience at one bank. When I tried to open an additional account, they asked for things beyond FATCA—stuff about my education level, family details, and so on. They were very clear: without providing that information, they simply cannot establish a business relationship with me.
Maybe the people at Chase didn't explain themselves clearly, but I highly doubt they would go hunting for clients and cite regulations if it wasn't actually mandatory. After all, they have their own management teams and legal departments to answer to.
As for individuals who make a scene, psychology shows that this behavior usually comes from lower-level employees who are already frustrated by outside stressors.
If there's a conflict, just ask for the manager or the person in charge and resolve the disagreement professionally, provided you believe there is actually 👍
I know a client who went absolutely ballistic on his bank, making huge scenes over this exact issue. He kept closing accounts because he assumed other banks wouldn't require the same data. Once he realized he was wrong, he tried to come back, but they refused to reopen his business relationship. Keep that in mind.
Regarding Wells Fargo, an acquaintance of mine recently had an account there, but he switched because he was unhappy. He specifically asked me why they hadn't requested certain data from him. I told him to show me the contract, and sure enough, they had filled out the information themselves without asking him anything. That is absolutely wrong and unacceptable, because the client is the one legally responsible for the accuracy of that data. However, given their ownership structure, I suspect you can't even get a job there without an internal referral 🤣 which isn't the case at Chase.

Banks actually have a duty to let customers know whether a set of questions is mandatory or purely voluntary.
I mean, opening an account shouldn't depend on info about your children, right? You didn't really mention what kind of business relationship you were trying to set up, or even what these "banking activity" questions actually entail.

Their internal questionnaires... well, those fall under the voluntary category, obviously.
On the flip side, just like how they try to shove every single product or service down your throat every time you walk up to the teller (and basically force tellers to hit certain sales quotas within a specific timeframe), they’re also super interested in data they can use to market products to you through every possible channel. So, they try to sneak those tiny little details in there.

That individual who "went off on the bank" was probably mostly complaining about the FATCA questions. I mean, other banks wouldn't be asking him all those same things if it wasn't for that. Most places don't even have unified forms or questionnaires yet, even though the regulators started asking for them back in 2015. They definitely aren't part of a specific bank's internal stuff.

Plus, even if that first bank doesn't want to deal with him anymore, all the others still do.

Plenty of fish in The Sea.

-briskjackal5