Hey! Whose Money Is It Anyway?

I finally got to reading some of my paper mail. My bank, a local CT-based bank, where I have kept my business account for almost 10 years, has decided to charge me $9.95 a month for keeping an average balance below $2500.00.

What? Huh?

I banked with them in the first place because they offered free business banking.

I was trained as a banker so I understand this industry and I certainly don't believe in paying for a checking account: it's MY money, not theirs, so why pay the bank for using my money?

And a hit of $9.95 a month? for balances under $2500.00?

I don't know about you, but it's my deliberate intent to wisely use my company's money and not leave it idle in the bank. I pay myself for all this hard work!

So I called to protest. No sympathy, as you would expect, from the automatons at the toll-free number. They'll notify management. Ho hum.

I called my usual branch manager. He left the bank a few months ago. Besides, I was told, my account has been moved to another branch because a few times I went to make a deposit there on my way to the highway. It's clear across town; my usual, and now former, branch is 1 mile away.

So I need to call the manager there, who won't know me, so I didn't waste my time or his/hers to call. Anyway, why did they take the unilateral decision to move MY account without any notice?

Ok, as you can tell I wasn't happy.

So this afternoon I made an appointment to go to the local branch of another CT-based bank and opened a free checking account with a delightful banking representative named Wadie. I get all the services, and more, that I am used to.

He assured me that I will never pay a monthly service fee for business checking. I guess I will have to believe him. He is now my personal banker.

$44.00 later for the 250 paper checks I had to order online, I am satisfied. (Yes, every so often an e-payments guy like me needs a paper check!)

Lessons:
1) Read your mail carefully for little notices that are BIG changes.
2) Bank where you feel welcome.
3) You don't have to pay ransom for your money in a business checking account!

Now a few words from guest blogger Doug Campbell

As a CEO Coach and Business Owner, I am constantly looking for ways to make businesses more efficient and easier to operate. About 9 years we began accepting credit cards for our tutoring business (Sylvan Learning Center in Darien CT). It seemed like a big step at the time, and it was also potentially costly because our average charge is $100+. Nevertheless, it has been widely successful. Within 6 months 70% of our clients were using credit cards, and it is now close to 85%. The time spent preparing bills and mailing each month has been cut by 6 hours. The money is in the account almost immediately each month. Cash flow is less of a worry, and the rent check can go out on the 3rd of the month.

If you are a small business and still not using credit, reconsider the benefits in time, administration, and cash flow when you think through your strategies. If you are using credit, you should also periodically review your vendor – we lowered our fees substantially after 3 years with the first vendor and now receive better service. There are also incredible new tools to help you with cash flow and profitability in your business that are constantly being developed. Don’t let your competitors get a leg up on you. Make the time to talk to a credit expert – you will be surprised on the upside.

All the best.

Douglas Campbell III "The Success Coach"
203-975-0320 cell 203-952-1161
www.thesuccesscoach.com

Speaker * Author * Entrepreneur * Executive & Career Coach

Coaching Top-Performing Executives & Business Owners to Achieve Even Higher Levels of Success

The Success Coach on Networking (7) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boKH8yfYFNk

Business Conference Speech http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b61rV19JAk

The Success Coach, Business Expert, for Wells Fargo Bank on Onboarding New Employees

https://wellsfargo.imaginationdigitalmedia.com/business-insights/?episode=C7 (5)

Author Where To Go From Here: Reinventing Your Career, Your Business, Your Working Life (2009). It is available through Amazon, at Barrett Bookstore (Darien), Elm Street Books (New Canaan), and through the author as a book or ebook.

I can only imagine what they charge for a bounced check!

Yes, folks, it's a real bricks and mortar bank in Tightwad, Missouri.

Finally, a bank that can make fun of itself instead of relying on us to do so!