Posts by rowdypilot19

So, I mean, I honestly think they’re actually aiming for the exact opposite effect, don't you?

If you're pulling money from over there, you're supposed to be paying taxes on it right there... so, I guess, shouldn't they just be demanding data from them? You know, just like how we ask our own banks for info on who's sending what kind of cash.

It doesn't really matter anyway, because if you're shopping online, once you pick the US as your home state, they're just gonna hit you with that sales tax regardless.

I mean, maybe they should just start looking into their own citizens first—you know, actually checking who they're sending money to for services outside our borders, instead of always turning the tables on us. 🤦

Of course they aren't allowed to, though, I mean, if you’re getting your paycheck through them, they already know exactly where you work. It's kind of the same thing with kids too; it's easy for them to figure out stuff since they have Social Security numbers and everything, so they can probably dig up extra details without much effort at all, I guess.

It really seems like they only want this for the sake of advertising. 👎

wiredlynx28 said:Feel free to just email your bank directly to request whatever data you need; they'll provide all the specific info you're looking for. 👍
As for how things work behind the scenes, I wouldn't know—that's not my department—but I've certainly heard plenty of rumors.
Everyone’s experience varies. I've worked both at teller windows and in management offices, and I've even completed training programs across various countries for banks within our group, including Germany and Ita. Every setup has its own pros and cons.
In some places, people find it baffling. For instance, when everyone here was making such a massive scene over those Swiss franc loans, the media reported on it, but the commenters were basically saying Americans don't realize they actually have to pay back the credit they willingly took out. Even now, you see dissatisfaction from the EU Commission and certain nations regarding currency conversions. As for claims of being pressured into these deals? That's just nonsense.
And just to be clear, I'm not working under any kind of pressure or anything like that; in fact, I'm quite happy with my career. I'm just saying, everyone sees things differently.

The problem isn't that you're lying to us, it's that you actually think we believe you.

My grandparents lived in Germany for 30 years, and interest rates were never even half as high as they are here in the States. Not for any kind of loan. No extra fees, nothing.

When a loan is offered, they handle everything; you just sign four or five papers and the money hits your account. Either you actually went somewhere, or you're lying about having gone, or you're just lying about how bad it is.

Look, why don't you just give us some links showing those high interest rates in Germany? It would be my honor to admit I was wrong, and I might even send you a few bucks if you want to make a bet.

Laura Chavez93 said:When I asked point-blank: what exactly do you need from me? the response was:
you need to come into the branch and fill out a questionnaire 🙂
Do they need my Social Security number? No.
Everything else is already on file, so what is this about? You have to complete a questionnaire 🤦
No thank you, I am not interested in taking surveys. —It isn't a survey.
Fine, then what is required? You must fill out a questionnaire 🙂
It felt like I was talking to a five-year-old... if that is the case, I suppose I will just wait until they grow up a bit—I am in no particular hurry... 👋

I have been satisfied with my relationship with the bank until now, but if they keep calling me, I might start telling them to get lost like Madoff—it is clearly obvious they have far too much free time on their hands if they spend it all on phone calls.

Why don't you ask her if you *must* do it or if you *should* do it. 😁

wiredlynx28 said:Here is an example:

The account packages over at Chase are pretty straightforward—you’ve got the basic tier sitting around $15 a month. $33It’s $40 a month for the Gold tier and $80 for Premium.
Zaba's RBA packages? They’re all priced lower than what you'd find in a standard bank package over in Switzerland.
Bank of America - standard checking account: $8 monthly fee plus an annual service charge.
Bank of America —$2.25 Monthly.
HypoVereinsbank in Germany—you're looking at a €7.90 monthly maintenance fee, plus roughly €5 just to get a card issued, and that doesn't even account for the other various service charges.
Look at Nordea in Sweden. A standard account will run you about $45 plus a 2% fee—minimum $20 if you're looking to tap into an overdraft. As for loans, you're looking at annual interest rates ranging from 15% to 26%.

It’s also worth noting the fees for cards and various other services that aren't covered by the standard monthly account maintenance fee. Furthermore, keep in mind that there are daily limits on card usage—both for cash withdrawals and point-of-sale purchases—which are scaled according to your salary and total income.

Just links and more links. I mean, I could just type all that out myself... but we're talking about major banks here, right?

In Canada, you can get an account and a card for maybe 3 euros a month... basically nothing. For me, an account is just to send money, receive it, and maybe grab some cash at a branch. That's really the bare minimum. The daily transaction limit is 22,000 euros.

In the UK, maintenance is only 0.99 pounds. Well, that's for a business entity. You don't believe me? Honestly, I don't believe you either, because what you're saying sounds like nonsense to me... I know how things work abroad firsthand, you know? It's not just hearsay.

wiredlynx28 said:Look, you all need to realize that banks don't just make these rules up because they feel like it—they’re mandated by the government and federal law. If they didn't have to follow these regulations, they wouldn't even be calling you in the first place, whether you trust them or not.
The teller or the banker isn't the villain here; they’re just doing their job, so please keep that in mind—especially those of you suggesting people should go in there and lose their cool.
Just act with some decency. If you have an issue with a staff member, ask for the branch manager or file a formal complaint. There are plenty of ways to handle this, but blowing things out of proportion isn't one of them. Since we’re all so eager to emulate other developed nations, maybe we should start by adopting the civil mindset of their citizens too.

If you’re so unhappy with how banking works in America, feel free to move to another country if you think it'll be better. Spoilers: it won't.
Interest rates are often multiples higher elsewhere, and don't even get me started on the fees. You pay for absolutely everything over there, whereas America is still practically a novice compared to foreign institutions.
Think about mortgage structures, or the fact that overdraft protection is a concept most European banks haven't even heard of.
Go ahead and check the official websites of international banks to compare their fees and terms against American banks—or better yet, experience it firsthand.

I have to address what someone said regarding the relationship between banks and clients in Switzerland being top-tier—offering coffee, letting clients do whatever they want. That level of service exists right here in America and abroad too, but only for VIP clients. 😉

Could you just, like, show me the specific law or the exact section that actually mandates they ask these questions and get an answer?

I'm honestly not even going to touch the rest of that nonsense. It feels like... I don't know, maybe you've just never stepped foot outside your tiny hometown.

The absolute best part about doing business in America is... you spend all this time gathering every single document they ask for, and then they have the nerve to charge you an extra fee just for processing the credit application. 🤣

I mean, honestly, once the work is actually done, they should be the ones paying the client for their trouble.

And all this stuff about those endless questionnaires... I wonder how it works for international banks? Like, if you walk into a bank in another country with a US ID and open an account, what happens next? Do they just hunt you down until they find you? Maybe call in Interpol or something? 😁

My dad’s godson has accounts in over 30 different countries. But here in the States, they were the only ones demanding all that specific data, and he just shut the whole account down right then and there. I mean, who's going to force him to stay? He's not an idiot.

bluecrane16 said:I was over at the JPMorgan Chase on Main Street in Chicago earlier today trying to process a larger transaction, and the teller told me they couldn't move forward unless I filled out some kind of questionnaire. He started grilling me about where I work, how long I've been there, what kind of company it is, who owns it, my specific job title, my duties, my monthly salary, any side hustles, and all sorts of other things... I wasn't really comfortable answering everything, so he ended up calling over a manager, who then just repeated the same thing, saying they couldn't complete the request without those answers. 😲😕

Wait, so they're basically saying, "We won't give you your own money because you won't answer our questions"? Hahahaha, seriously? Where does it even say that in the contract?

Man, I wish they would try that with me. I’d love to just call my lawyer and start charging them interest from the second they refuse to pay... 🍿

It’s tough, honestly... I mean, it would just be a backup account where I might move some cash before heading over to Canada, just to grab it a day or two later.

I guess, being totally honest, what can they even ask me? Like, do I have business ties with the USA? They can ask if they want, but this whole thing about my partner and then having to sit there for three hours answering a million other stupid questions... yeah, no way. Not happening.

In the UK, though, it’s a corporate account, so I'm really not sure what they could even bring up there. Is it more stuff about working with the USA again?

I mean, I’m telling you, they keep coming to me with these questions. Honestly, I haven't the slightest clue how much longer this is going to drag on like this.

Man, I didn't even read what you Quincy'd, my bad... seriously. Nobody's asking about the USA or Canada right now. Not yet, anyway.

Well, I didn't exactly graduate from a fancy Public School myself... and honestly, I've definitely made my fair share of mistakes along the way. 🍿

So, we’re talking about American banks, right? I mean, I’m specifically thinking about Bank of America, just to be precise.

Raymond Palmer3 said:That’s not quite how it plays out... they actually value our accounts way too much for that. 🙂

But wait, how is it even possible that foreign banks aren't asking any questions? 😁

Jeremy Bishop35 said:I have no idea what kind of rural backwater you’re living in, but in actual American cities, we were enrolled in the nearest elementary schools—which are usually close enough to walk to—in an incredibly short amount of time 😁. All a kid needs is a basic understanding of how to cross the street safely; by high school, they can handle themselves just fine 🤣

It’s not a small town, it's not Santa Barbara, and it's not Toledo, but you've got some things to consider... I mean, have you ever tried being out in Santa Barbara during one of those heavy windstorms with the rain hitting sideways? Seriously, try it. Even grown adults end up tripping or hurting their hips trying to stay upright, so how is a little kid supposed to manage? We have two elementary schools and one high school here, and yeah, it isn't miles away, but it's also not right next door to everyone's house.

And honestly, it doesn't rain in Santa Barbara the way it does in New York City; it's more like, you're constantly guessing if it's actually going to pour or not. Every little bit of rain feels like a summer thunderstorm, except it just drags on for two or three days straight. Just try stepping outside. There's no winning; you're soaked no matter which way you turn, probably up to your knees.

Toledo is sort of a similar vibe, just without the coastal wind—more like those harsh seasonal winds there. Either way, even in New York City, you still have to drive your kid to preschool or school sometimes.

As for high school, sure, you can let them go alone, but maybe not every single time. It's because of those same reasons. Especially when the streets start turning into actual streams...

Alright. 👍

In what world?

Yeah, right... like, I guess you're gonna be biking the kids to school through a massive thunderstorm or some crazy windstorm.

unspecified

Alexander Thompson said:I really can't be bothered digging through the official regulations (you know, the ones backed by actual law), but things are gonna stay this way for another year... After that, well, kiss the account goodbye, and you can go ahead and keep using unspecified... or maybe just trade goods, whatever works for you. 🙂

BTW, I'm genuinely curious what kind of hourly rate someone like rowdypilot19 is pulling 😬

First off, just to be clear, nobody has actually reached out to me about this at all. Not one person. I guess... I mean, I haven't heard a single word from anyone regarding this situation.

Also, I kind of wish they’d just shut it down, you know? Not that it really matters since I'm not even in the States right now, and the business isn't mine anyway. I guess it'll be pretty interesting to see what actually happens to all those accounts belonging to people who aren't around anymore. 🍿

I mean, at the end of the day, I’ve got a contact over at JP Morgan Chase who can just handle all of this without any drama... but honestly? Even if they fix it, the answer to everything is still just a big NO. 🤣

I mean, I guess for them, it’d probably be like... what, maybe $1,100? Heh.

I guess I should probably start by saying that... well, I don't really know how to put this into words properly. It’s just one of those things, you know? Maybe I'm overthinking it, or maybe I'm just seeing things differently than everyone else, but I feel like there's something important here that we aren't really talking about. I mean, I could go on and on about it, honestly. My mind keeps jumping from one thought to the next—one second I'm thinking about the main point, and the next, I'm wondering if I even understood the premise to begin with! But, anyway... regardless of all that, I just wanted to share what I was feeling. It feels right to say it out loud, even if it sounds a bit scattered. I hope that makes sense. I really do.

Eric Newman4 said:Does anyone happen to know someone working at a bank? I'm assuming they had to deal with all this bureaucracy and paperwork themselves... would be interesting to hear what actual bank employees think about any of this

So, I was over at JP Morgan Chase about a month ago, right? And honestly, they didn't really ask me anything—nothing at all, actually. It was just... there. But, I guess I was wondering if I could maybe get some insight from someone who works a bit higher up than the folks behind the teller windows? Just, you know, someone with a little more authority or experience, I suppose.

I guess I should probably start by saying... well, there isn't much to say yet, really. It's just one of those things where you look at the situation and you aren't quite sure where to land on it. Maybe that's just me being indecisive, though. I don't know. Anyway, I was thinking about it, and honestly, it feels like we're all just waiting for something to actually happen, which is kind of exhausting if you think about it. Or maybe I'm overthinking it? Probably. But yeah, I guess that's the gist of it.

I mean, I guess there isn't much to say about that, really... just a name, I suppose? It feels like we're just drifting through these threads without much direction, maybe. It’s all a bit vague, isn't it? Just one word. I don't know. Anyway. kaže: I mean, I guess they’ve probably had just about enough of it too... maybe. It feels like everyone is reaching their breaking point at this point. I mean, I guess there are probably people out there who would actually think that's a killer idea—mostly just because they’ll likely have it staring right at them from a screen somewhere... So, about Mate Matić—he’s got a job, he’s married, doesn't have any debt hanging over his head, and he's got kids too. I guess that's just how it is. Maybe we should suggest a mortgage to him... or I don't know, maybe just ask if he's thinking about taking a trip somewhere? xD ....... So, I stepped into the USPS today, and I guess I’m just going to go a little off-topic here... but the clerk there actually tried to pitch me a CNN subscription. And then, get this, she offered me supplemental insurance too. It's kind of wild. It reminds me of when you're at Walmart—you know, you get to the checkout line and they immediately start asking if you were satisfied with your shopping trip. It feels like everyone is always trying to sell you something lately, I guess. Maybe it's just me. I mean, I guess... what is "too much"? Like, there’s just no such thing as too much, right? Or maybe there is? Honestly, I feel like if you go way past the limit, it just becomes... well, it's just too much. It's excessive. It's just over the top. I don't know, maybe I'm overthinking it, but sometimes everything feels like it's just hitting a point where it's simply too much. Overkill. Just... yeah. Too much.I mean, I honestly can't wrap my head around it... I really can't. It’s just wild to me that people actually feel like they have to pour their money into that kind of madness. Like, seriously? I guess some people just love the chaos, maybe, but I just don't get it. It's crazy. 😠 I feel bad for the employees. I really do. It’s just... I don't know, maybe it's just me, but it feels heavy. I guess you just have to wonder what they're going through behind the scenes. It's tough. Truly.

It’s always like that, isn't it? You finally get behind the wheel, you’re all set to go, and then you pull into a gas station—maybe a Shell or a BP—and suddenly the clerk starts hitting you with this massive list of fifty different things they want you to buy just so they can snag a little commission. It’s kind of ridiculous, honestly. Like, I just wanted fuel, you know? But no, now I have to listen to a pitch for half the inventory in the store. Haha.

I mean, how much is my time actually worth? 🍿

I mean, I really wish they’d just send that over in writing, you know? Just so I could respond by sending them my hourly rate or whatever. 🍿

Look, I get paid that way, dammit. 😁