When are banks finally going to start acting normal?

Chris Stewart3 said:The reality is that banks essentially incentivize us to spend money we simply haven't earned yet, creating this endless cycle of debt just so they can pad their bottom lines. It’s quite calculated, really; they constantly push credit cards and personal loans through aggressive, highly polished advertising campaigns designed to make borrowing feel like a necessity rather than a trap.

Look, commercials aren't some kind of hypnotic trance or a direct command—and you aren't a toddler who lacks basic critical thinking skills.

And so what if they offer them? If you choose—using your own free will—not to sign the paperwork, then you don't get the card. Simple as that.☕

Chris Stewart3 said:The reality is that banks essentially incentivize us to spend money we simply haven't earned yet, creating this endless cycle of debt just so they can pad their bottom lines. It’s quite calculated, really; they constantly push credit cards and personal loans through aggressive, highly polished advertising campaigns designed to make borrowing feel like a necessity rather than a trap.

Google😂

Well, maybe just start using banking services once you grow up or... I don't know, get some common sense.

Charles Ramos7 said:Where’d you hear that? I have a credit card, but honestly, I've never actually used it for a loan in my life. I usually just opt for zero-interest installment plans—not because I'm strapped for cash, but simply because why wouldn't I? I'd rather park that money in a money market account and grab a little bit of interest. It’s not a fortune, but it’s nice to see it grow. 🙂

No waaaaay!!! So those flashy commercials didn't tempt you?? :O What a shocker!

Chris Stewart3, seriously, go read what neno1966 wrote and maybe think about it for a second.

Just picture the scenario when they issue you a brand-new credit card. What actually happens? They slap you with a fee without even bothering to ask. You have to wonder why they won't just provide it for free—it’s not like they’re going bankrupt over a few dollars, and honestly, it would be such a decent gesture toward the customer. When people are struggling, these institutions turn around and charge 15% interest on overdrafts; it feels less like banking and more like dealing with loan sharks. They hide behind this excuse of "managing risk" to squeeze out a little extra profit just in case they can't collect, but if you sit down and crunch the numbers, the math is staggering. If they were actually being fair, that interest rate would be closer to what you see on a standard personal loan from a place like Chase. I’m not saying money doesn't have a cost, but there is a point where it becomes extortionate. Even my local movie theater didn't charge me a fee for my membership card, so it's clearly not an impossible hurdle to clear...

I haven't heard of a situation where they just issue someone a card they never even asked for—that sounds like a major blunder on Bank of America's part. Honestly, if they’re out here cutting cards without any authorization, I’d be jumping ship immediately—who knows what else they might decide to do behind your back!

BTW, they're touting those savings interest rates—what's the deal there? You're better off putting that cash directly into a card rather than just letting it sit in some random account. 😉

Chris Stewart3 said:The reality is that banks essentially incentivize us to spend money we simply haven't earned yet, creating this endless cycle of debt just so they can pad their bottom lines. It’s quite calculated, really; they constantly push credit cards and personal loans through aggressive, highly polished advertising campaigns designed to make borrowing feel like a necessity rather than a trap.

I see it a bit differently. It’s kind of like watching commercials and then blaming the TV when you end up buying something you didn't need—it just doesn't quite track. I don't see how anyone can force me to spend money when I know perfectly well I won't be able to cover the bill. You can't just walk into a branch and demand a card or a loan out of thin air, and even if you could, that doesn't mean I'd go on a shopping spree. At the end of the day, managing your own wallet is still on you.

Nicholas Turner said:I haven't heard of a situation where they just issue someone a card they never even asked for—that sounds like a major blunder on Bank of America's part. Honestly, if they’re out here cutting cards without any authorization, I’d be jumping ship immediately—who knows what else they might decide to do behind your back!

BTW, they're touting those savings interest rates—what's the deal there? You're better off putting that cash directly into a card rather than just letting it sit in some random account. 😉

You took the words right out of my mouth! 👍
Nobody's going to issue you a card if you don't want one, especially not a reputable bank. Even if they make one and it's waiting for you, you can just politely tell them you don't need it and leave it there.

If someone doesn't want or need a card, they won't ask for it. Same goes for loans; trust me, people know exactly what they're doing before they sign anything for a credit card or a personal loan. I won't even get started on mortgages.
A bank isn't forcing you, or anyone else, to take an overdraft or a revolving credit line. People put themselves in those spots. Sometimes it's just sad, but it's the reality of the times we live in and the value of money today...

Chris Stewart3 said:Just picture the scenario when they issue you a brand-new credit card. What actually happens? They slap you with a fee without even bothering to ask. You have to wonder why they won't just provide it for free—it’s not like they’re going bankrupt over a few dollars, and honestly, it would be such a decent gesture toward the customer. When people are struggling, these institutions turn around and charge 15% interest on overdrafts; it feels less like banking and more like dealing with loan sharks. They hide behind this excuse of "managing risk" to squeeze out a little extra profit just in case they can't collect, but if you sit down and crunch the numbers, the math is staggering. If they were actually being fair, that interest rate would be closer to what you see on a standard personal loan from a place like Chase. I’m not saying money doesn't have a cost, but there is a point where it becomes extortionate. Even my local movie theater didn't charge me a fee for my membership card, so it's clearly not an impossible hurdle to clear...

I guess you clearly don't really get how an overdraft works (basically, it's easier credit for the client than most other loans) or why the rates are set that way. If it feels too high to you, well, maybe just don't overdraw.
And honestly, a Bank of America card is a bit more serious than a membership at a video rental shop.

Chris Stewart3, I actually find your cluelessness kind of refreshing—mostly because I used to be in the exact same boat. Up until pretty recently, I wasn't giving a second thought to how I was blowing money I didn't even have, let alone the massive interest fees Bank of America was going to slap on me later.

Let's just face the music here: we're the ones who played ourselves by spending way more than we actually earned. It’s not really the bank's fault that we jumped at every single credit card offer they threw our way. And honestly? The way they act now—trying to upsell every naive person who walks through the door—is exactly how they'll always act. At the end of the day, the only thing we can actually control is our own mindset toward our cash and finally starting to respect the paycheck we work so hard for.

Nicholas Davis14 said:Chris Stewart3, I actually find your cluelessness kind of refreshing—mostly because I used to be in the exact same boat. Up until pretty recently, I wasn't giving a second thought to how I was blowing money I didn't even have, let alone the massive interest fees Bank of America was going to slap on me later.

Let's just face the music here: we're the ones who played ourselves by spending way more than we actually earned. It’s not really the bank's fault that we jumped at every single credit card offer they threw our way. And honestly? The way they act now—trying to upsell every naive person who walks through the door—is exactly how they'll always act. At the end of the day, the only thing we can actually control is our own mindset toward our cash and finally starting to respect the paycheck we work so hard for.

Listen, my friend, you really ought to remember one thing: the thief isn't the man who keeps his cash tucked away in a Bank of America vault; no, the true thief is the one who actually owns the bank.

Charles Ramos7 said:I’m not convinced that switching to cash-only payouts would actually rattle the banks. They have way too much room to maneuver and push back. Not only could you end up stuck without any cards, but they could easily claim that using a checking account is a mandatory requirement for any basic banking service.
Basically, you'd be left without any debit or credit cards (Americans left high and dry 😂), lose access to CDs or savings accounts, and wouldn't even be able to qualify for a loan (Americans cut off from credit 😂). Plus, they’d probably just hike up the fees for in-person teller visits while lowering online ones—though, of course, you still need a direct deposit hitting your account to use those online tools in the first place...

At the end of the day, we need them a lot more than they need us.

Seriously, if that's the case, why even have banks? They should just lock their doors if we aren't needed.

Chris Stewart3 said:The reality is that banks essentially incentivize us to spend money we simply haven't earned yet, creating this endless cycle of debt just so they can pad their bottom lines. It’s quite calculated, really; they constantly push credit cards and personal loans through aggressive, highly polished advertising campaigns designed to make borrowing feel like a necessity rather than a trap.

Bank of America pushes us ... 😂🤣🙂

David Williams7 said:Bank of America pushes us ... 😂🤣🙂

That’s what we call taking things completely out of context.

David Williams7 said:Seriously, if that's the case, why even have banks? They should just lock their doors if we aren't needed.

So what’s your issue with it?

I was grabbing coffee with a buddy who works in finance the other day, asking him about this new bank opening up—it doesn't seem to have much foot traffic. He just shrugged and said, "Leave the teller windows to the little guys; the real business happens in the executive suites upstairs." 😉

Honestly, things would be a lot better if banks focused on financing actual industry and production instead of just fueling consumer spending.

Precisely. In that scenario, the debt stays with the LLC, and if the company folds, the liability vanishes. It's a clean break. But here? You're looking at personal liability. A private individual can't just declare bankruptcy and walk away from everything. They can be pursued for the rest of their life. It’s relentless. Is there truly no limit to how much they can claw back? Even after death, assets can be liquidated to cover costs.

I would love to see the introduction of personal bankruptcy laws that actually work. Wouldn't that encourage banks to finally start trusting and lending to entrepreneurs again?

Chris Stewart3 said:Oh, absolutely, it's entirely our own fault. What stings the most is how we handed over our entire banking system to foreign interests; the truth is, they didn't come here to invest in us, they came to extract from us. If the majority of people actually shifted their loyalty toward domestic institutions, things would change significantly. It isn't just that citizens are beholden to these banks—it's the entire economy; in short, we're looking at disaster.

What kind of nonsense are you spouting? What exactly would American-owned banks do differently??? Hand out loans like candy back in the 90s? Just hand cash to anyone with a pulse regardless of their credit score? - Give me a break.

Thanks, but no thanks.

darkpuma52 said:What kind of nonsense are you spouting? What exactly would American-owned banks do differently??? Hand out loans like candy back in the 90s? Just hand cash to anyone with a pulse regardless of their credit score? - Give me a break.

Thanks, but no thanks.

At the very least, the profits would remain here in the States, which means there would actually be capital available for local charitable donations, community aid, and corporate sponsorships. As it stands, most of those funds flow straight to foreign entities, leaving us with less and less to work with locally..