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Feb 25, 2009 -- More customer no service to come from zombie banks

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has been testifying about the bank bailout and the threat of galloping inflation. He's also been denying any further nationalization of our financial institutions.

This kind of talk can be a lot of mumbo-jumbo unless you know what the direct impact is to you. In Clark's estimation, the question of nationalization raises issues about decreased customer service at the bigger banks.

Here's the scoop: The nation's largest banks will undergo a "stress test" of sorts to determine their viability. Several will become wards of the state.

In fact, Citibank and Bank of America are both unofficially wards of the state in all but name. We're already on the hook for $400 billion with Citibank and $160 billion with Bank of America!

If you have a heavy-transaction account -- such as a business checking account -- the quality of the customer service is going to decline at a bank that's become the walking dead. Morale, layoffs and uncertainty about the future are all reasons why.

Even in the event your bank fails, you can rest assured that if you have under $250,000, there's nothing to fret about. You won't lose a penny of this FDIC insured money.

Just expect a serious decline in customer service.

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What others are saying

  • good customer service from wachovia
    Much to our surprise, we closed on a home equity line from wachovia this week and experienced a swift, clear closing and excellent service from wachovia. Credit goes to the bank staff who are working in an uncertain enviornment: very professional!
  • Credit Union
    My husband died 1 month ago. He had a $100,000.00 CD at a credit union. The term is for 3 more years at 5.50%. They wrote to say they will be closing the account in 90 days. I am stunned since his other banks will retitle the accounts in my name. Any suggestions?
  • Why isn't congress acting?
    Congress should make the 250K permanent
  • FDIC
    If the 250K is not made permanent by Oct. 31, there will be mass withdrawals and
    the money will be spread out to smaller
    banks, which is good.
  • The 250K is only good until the end of this year. Then, of course it rolls back to 100K.
  • ZOMBIE BANKS/FDIC
    who is to say the FDIC will have any money to pay off the customers if these banks fail? The government is in bad shape already, I can't imagine they are going to find the money to pay out for people who have money in these banks and will lose it. I am wondering if there will be a run on people taking their money out! It is a scary time.
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