BBT Bank So-called "maintenance fee" assessed against a senior citizen Front Royal Virginia

Actually, the point is not the fee-- I can still have a no fee account. But when I opened this account in 1991 I paid no fees because I was over 50; at that time BBT's predecessor institution did not require a direct deposit.

The point is that the bank's e-mail answers are non-responsive, stupid, irrelevant and dimwitted. Every time my bank was acquired the service went downhill. BBT is really the pits.

The consumer comment about going to the branch where I originally opened the account is a good one-- except that I now live 120 miles away.

One of the requirement for getting that "free" account was a monthly regular direct deposit which your SS deposit was. Once you withdrew it and moved it to another bank, you voided your agreement with BB&T. Having a CD probably doesn't qualify under their terms either. You probably have to have a certain amount in the account at all times. I've found that any of these so called "free" accounts ARE a big rip off. I'd just as soon pay a set amount and know what I'm gonna pay IN ADVANCE, then get nickeled and dimed each month, for every little chickenspit service.

I am guessing since you ceased your direct deposit, the account would no longer qualify for no maintance fees. It may be a simple matter of changing you account type to one that will either allow your CD balance to be used for the minimum or one that will have maintanace fees waived(such as a senior citizen account).

As for oversight agencies, seach for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for their web site. All national banks are regulated by them. There is also several links to other sites that will list the regulating agency for a bank by name.

Just keep in mind, the agency will only investigate if the bank followed proper procedures, they will not resolve your complaint for you.

Good luck.

Whistlepig,

I signed up for BB&T, as they were the only bank available in my area. It was a mistake!

I signed up, we agreed on a "free" account. During the first month, I had many different transactions with my debit card. I had deposited money into the account, and used the debit card to make purchases. I decided to look at my online account information one day, and noticed a fee. I called, and the attendant stated, "In order for you to receive a completely free checking account, you must have your paycheck directly deposited into your BB&T account." Apparently, you must have a minimum balance in the account to keep the account open, or have your check deposited directly to their account. It's their way of managing your money.

I soon left BB&T, because I refused to let them tell me what to do with my money. It's my money, and I do with it, what I please.

There are many reasons which I left BB&T, which are small, but when you face them on a daily basis, they become a problem. For example, my first check order was supposed to be free, according to the first attendant, but I was charged. I called, and they stated the first order is never free. Next, your account is managed manually, not by a PC. This may seem like a good idea, but it's not. Normally, when you make a purchase with your debit card, you can see the transaction immediately online, with any other bank. However, BB&T would take days, sometimes weeks, before the transaction would show online. Is this my problem? Yes, I should manage my own money and how much I spend. But, is this convenient? No, not at all.

I'll advise anyone and everyone, don't fall for the BB&T scheme. They're well behind in technology, and just about every attendant will tell a different story.

I asked BBT to give the names of the Federal, Virginia and North Carolina oversight agencies. This is a quote: "BBT is through the FDIC" No puncuation, and no help. They also failed to give me the names of the state oversight agencies.

Clearly this bank has me confused with someone who can't fight, and who is unable to emply media pressure. Maybe the scrutiny of a major newspaper would be productive.

Stay tuned.