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'Today' Praises Bank's New Overdraft Policy, Fails to Explore Consequences of New Regulation
Newsbusters ^ | 03/12/10 | Anthony Kang

Posted on 03/12/2010 2:20:58 PM PST by 198ml

NBC's "Today" gave backhanded praise to Bank of America (BofA) on March 11 because of its decision to stop charging overdraft fees for debit-card transactions.

"This is clearly an effort by Bank of America to repair its battered image," senior investigative correspondent Lisa Myers said. "But it's also a meaningful step that will save consumers money and keep families from spending more than they have."

The NBC report maintained the media theme that such fees are "abusive" by including Leslie Parrish of the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) who said, "We highly commend Bank of America for getting rid of this abusive practice." CRL is a liberal group funded by far-left wingers like George Soros and Herb and Marion Sandler, according to ActivistCash.

While Myers acknowledged that BofA was "getting ahead" of "new federal rules," she didn't warn viewers about the negative implications of that legislation.

(Excerpt) Read more at newsbusters.org ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Government; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bank; myers; nbc; regulation

1 posted on 03/12/2010 2:20:59 PM PST by 198ml
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To: 198ml
This is the Community Reinvestment Act writ small.

The result will be the same.

2 posted on 03/12/2010 2:27:47 PM PST by E. Pluribus Unum (Islam is a religion of peace, and Muslims reserve the right to kill anyone who says otherwise.)
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To: 198ml

I don’t have a debit card and I never overdraw my account. Maybe I could be a role model!


3 posted on 03/12/2010 2:31:32 PM PST by clintonh8r (Nobody's 'bot!!)
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To: E. Pluribus Unum

CRA? Hahhaaa..wait...why am I laughing..you really think? I guess it’s Greece and Iceland v.2


4 posted on 03/12/2010 2:31:56 PM PST by 198ml (Speechless)
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To: 198ml

Instead of covering the difference for a fee and allowing the transaction to continue, the transaction will be terminated. And you can’t write them a check, ‘cause now they know the account is short...


5 posted on 03/12/2010 2:36:13 PM PST by JimRed ("Hey, hey, Teddy K., hot enough down there today?" TERM LIMITS, NOW AND FOREVER!)
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To: 198ml

I am glad they did this, but lets give this a couple of months and then you are going to start hearing about how this policy only affects the minorities......


6 posted on 03/12/2010 2:36:28 PM PST by martinidon
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To: 198ml

from what I understand, all they did was stop approving debits if they exceed the account balance. Before they were approving them anyway and then charging a fee. I don’t see the huge difference.


7 posted on 03/12/2010 2:38:57 PM PST by Buckeye McFrog
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To: clintonh8r

Problem was such sleazy tactics as when customer would
deposit money in account and then go shopping. Bank would
make withdrawals FIRST then credit the money to account
often resulting in overdrafts

Also if go to gas station and say “Fill ‘yer up” will place
a hold on your card for $100, even if purchase much less

Result customer would accidently overdraw account thinking
still had money available.

Because of such thieves have the heavy hand of gubmint....


8 posted on 03/12/2010 2:44:36 PM PST by njslim
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To: njslim

A few points.

I’ve used BofA for 20+ years.

I’ve never seen a $100 hold for a debt card transaction getting gas or anything else ever.

If you deposit a check that check isn’t normally processed until late that night on business days. If the check is for a large amount or is drawn on a distant bank it can take longer. Big shock... If you absolutely have to have the check cash now, take it into the bank and talk to a teller to get it credited immediately or go to the issuing bank and get it cashed.

If you use a debt card it is the same as cash to the bank. It is normally taken out at the time you use it. Why would you expect a float, it isn’t a credit card.

To expect a check to be credited the same day before any charges you make immediately following the deposit is just plain foolish. Basic common sense can’t be forced by government regulation.


9 posted on 03/12/2010 3:23:29 PM PST by DB
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To: njslim
Also if go to gas station and say “Fill ‘yer up” will place a hold on your card for $100, even if purchase much less

My bank (US Bank) places a $1.00 hold.

10 posted on 03/12/2010 3:25:43 PM PST by buccaneer81 (ECOMCON)
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To: 198ml

Are you really taking the bank’s side in this. overdraft your debit card by 50 cents and charge you $39. Thats BS any way you look at it.


11 posted on 03/12/2010 4:31:55 PM PST by packrat35 (Democrat Healthcare is a 9-11 Attack on the Constitution)
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To: DB

I did use BoA and they were one of the worst dirty trick banks I ever dealt with. Running your checks first then crditing your money, stacking checks to maximize overdrafts, putting numerous Holds on money with no warning.

If you were never hit with this crap, you are definitely in the minority.


12 posted on 03/12/2010 4:35:09 PM PST by packrat35 (Democrat Healthcare is a 9-11 Attack on the Constitution)
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To: All

rule one: stay away from Bank of America

rule two: when in doubt see rule one


13 posted on 03/12/2010 4:39:46 PM PST by longtermmemmory (VOTE! http://www.senate.gov and http://www.house.gov)
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To: buccaneer81

It’s the merchant, not the bank, that places the hold.


14 posted on 04/15/2010 10:40:38 AM PDT by RockinRight (Obama Logic: Global Warming causes blizzards, and deficit spending balances budgets.)
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