The CHASE take over of WAMU

Chase is not only taking advantage of their customers through their lock in and bully tactics but got into the community with their hostile takeover over of WAMU. Here's a great article that explains how it happened. http://www.komonews.com/younews/60792647.html
But for all that I can say about Chase they sure do have cute commercials!

Banks are changing, but are we?

The new credit card laws are going into effect today. They have been long needed. But, have we learned anything or would we just run out and do it all again given the opportunity?

It's hard to change our basic nature and habits. I probably should not admit it but we are still paying on a truck that has not run for three years. It started with an argument of whether to pass on the deal and wait to save the money and ended up being a credit card purchase because the price was low. That got wrapped into a balance transfer, that got wrapped into a home equity, that got wrapped into a 30 year fixed. All with the lure of lower rates.

Yes, it sounds crazy because it is. I dare say I'm by far not alone and would bet there are some cappacinnos out there that are now on a 30 year payment plan.

The banks will continue to take advantage of us as long as we allow it. Something to think about everytime we pull out the credit card or don't pay our balance off in full at the end of the month.

Link to more unhappy Chase customers

Chase has made the news again for their bad service! Check out the attached article sent by a friend. And, already 414 comments!!!
http://redtape.msnbc.com/2009/07/steven-lobdell-points-out-an-image-on-chase-banks-web-site-that-says-welcome-wamu-customers-were-here-for-you--but-app.html#posts

Americans, we need to keep talking and keep posting this kind of entry until Chase remembers that we are their customers and it is our money!

Customer Service at it's best

My husband had a question about a payment he had sent for his Chase credit card. He had mailed the payment in 10 days early and it was not showing by the due date of the 16th. He called on the 17th to speak to someone and talked to a gal that was in a room with many other phone attendants because of all the background noise. It was evident she was paying more attention to the others because she just wasn't getting what I was saying to her. So I asked to speak to her manager and was told she did not have one. After four requests she finally transferred me to a voice mail that was full. Love the service!!!

Is it really progress?

The news about banking has somewhat faded as other news stories have come to the headlines but the biggest change as been a renewal of the housing industry in part by the lower cost of repossessed homes. Amazing how yesterday's sadness can be turned into someone else's joy today. How much better would it have been if there would have been help for the original homeowners so they would not have lost their homes.

10 big banks get OK to repay $68B in bailout money

10 big banks get OK to repay $68B in bailout money For those following the banking news this is a pretty interesting story as are the comments posted on the bottom.

What's going on with Chase?

I just got a skip payment on my credit cards because I am such a good customer. What? Is this the same Chase that recently sent me a default notice on my mortgage and dropped my credit rating by 100 points over a $20 late payment on a line of credit? Is this the same Chase that just put raised my interest rates by almost 8% and doubled my minimum payment because I was less than 24 hours late on my payment because they had moved up the due date by a week? Is this the same Chase that recently bulldozed their way into an almost hostile takeover of WAMU?

Yes, it’s the same Chase. So I have to ask myself why? Have they turned over a new leaf and felt sorry about how they have treated the American people? I don’t think so. Is it because the public outcry is now so great that they are trying to mollify the people and the investigators who may be looking into their practices? Maybe.