Bank of America - American Criminals!

This is a copy of an email just sent to the White House ... what banks are getting away with these days is outrageous.

"I would like to know how it is that banks like Bank of America, who have received taxpayer bailout money, are continuing to operate as per the status quo.

I walked into a local Bank of America branch today to cash a paycheck from my employer that was written off a Bank of America account. I was told there would be a $6 fee to do so! I asked why, and was told it was because I don't bank with them - if I did, it would be free. (Well I would HOPE so!!)

I told them to forget it - the fee is outrageous and represents exactly why I don't typically do business with traditional banks (I use a credit union). The check was for $256. This represents a fee of about 2.5% for the privilege of cashing a check in their institution. I could understand a minor fee if there was some risk to them, but this was a check written off one of their accounts! There was no risk, no cost of doing business to cover. It is simply a bogus, predatory, and opportunistic means to bring in more to their bottom line.

I have a MAJOR problem with the fact that this bank is receiving part of MY taxpayer money to fix problems THEY had a hand in creating in the first place, and that they see fit to tack on outrageous fees like this to the average middle class American consumer. Banking should not be a privilege for the wealthy few.

With all due respect, the banking system in this country needs to be fixed immediately. You aren't doing enough, quickly enough, to overhaul it. Ken Lewis and other like-minded CEO's have had their hands slapped and that's it. It's unacceptable."