Lucky Derby
Member
Mods, if this is not the correct place for this, please move:
All note, both OC and CC are perfectly legal here, and neither is rare.
Those of you who know me, know that I rarely OC. Normally I CC. Out of character for me, I was OC and stopped in at my bank to deposit a check this past Saturday. While waiting in line I was approached by a bank employee, who I later learned is the branch manager. I had not seen her before, even though I have been to this branch many times. She told me that they could not accept firearms inside the bank, as it is a VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW for anyone other than a police officer to bring a gun into a bank. Had she simply said it was against bank policy I simply would have walked out to return later to close my accounts, once other arrangements had been made. But when she accused me of criminal activity, that did not sit well. I informed her that it was not a violation of any law and I would need to close my accounts if it was policy that I not carry my sidearm in the bank. She asked me to wait and she would be with me in a minute. I took this a sign that I did not need to leave immediately or face tresspassing charges. As I waited, I thought about my direct deposit from work & the automatic payment I have set up, and I would need to make other arrangements for those before closing the account. I then noticed a teller, whom I have worked with in the past, and have a good relationship with, was available & there were no other customers waiting. I went to her window and spoke to her briefly. She was aware of what was happening. She repeated the line about Fed Law, and how they had just learned of it from a Westminster Police Officer following an uncomfortable encounter with a man with a gun. I told her that the Police officer gave them faulty information, and that I would be contacting corporate.
Roughly 36 hours later (Sunday night) I sent an email to the corporate office. I described the incident, as well as my history with the bank, particularly that I have been legally carrying a firearm in their bank for 10 years, and this specific branch for 1.5 years. By Monday evening I had a genaric email that said they were sorry I had a bad experience and that my email had been sent to the appropriate people for further assistance. I should expect a detailed reply within 3 business days.
On Wednesday I got a voicemail from the branch manager, asking that I call her back. I didn't feel like dealing with it right then so I waited until Thursday. When I made contact, she immediately appologized to me. Very sincerly and profusely. She said she had gotten false information and that the corporate policy was to allow all persons who legally carry firearms to do so in their branches. She further stated that she had talked to both their legal and security departments, and had learned a lot in the last couple of days. She asked what she could do to regain my trust. I told her the only thing I required was that she send me an email, so I have something in writing should this issue ever come up again. She agreed.
As a result of this Bank of the West still has my pathetically small amount of banking business.
All note, both OC and CC are perfectly legal here, and neither is rare.
Those of you who know me, know that I rarely OC. Normally I CC. Out of character for me, I was OC and stopped in at my bank to deposit a check this past Saturday. While waiting in line I was approached by a bank employee, who I later learned is the branch manager. I had not seen her before, even though I have been to this branch many times. She told me that they could not accept firearms inside the bank, as it is a VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW for anyone other than a police officer to bring a gun into a bank. Had she simply said it was against bank policy I simply would have walked out to return later to close my accounts, once other arrangements had been made. But when she accused me of criminal activity, that did not sit well. I informed her that it was not a violation of any law and I would need to close my accounts if it was policy that I not carry my sidearm in the bank. She asked me to wait and she would be with me in a minute. I took this a sign that I did not need to leave immediately or face tresspassing charges. As I waited, I thought about my direct deposit from work & the automatic payment I have set up, and I would need to make other arrangements for those before closing the account. I then noticed a teller, whom I have worked with in the past, and have a good relationship with, was available & there were no other customers waiting. I went to her window and spoke to her briefly. She was aware of what was happening. She repeated the line about Fed Law, and how they had just learned of it from a Westminster Police Officer following an uncomfortable encounter with a man with a gun. I told her that the Police officer gave them faulty information, and that I would be contacting corporate.
Roughly 36 hours later (Sunday night) I sent an email to the corporate office. I described the incident, as well as my history with the bank, particularly that I have been legally carrying a firearm in their bank for 10 years, and this specific branch for 1.5 years. By Monday evening I had a genaric email that said they were sorry I had a bad experience and that my email had been sent to the appropriate people for further assistance. I should expect a detailed reply within 3 business days.
On Wednesday I got a voicemail from the branch manager, asking that I call her back. I didn't feel like dealing with it right then so I waited until Thursday. When I made contact, she immediately appologized to me. Very sincerly and profusely. She said she had gotten false information and that the corporate policy was to allow all persons who legally carry firearms to do so in their branches. She further stated that she had talked to both their legal and security departments, and had learned a lot in the last couple of days. She asked what she could do to regain my trust. I told her the only thing I required was that she send me an email, so I have something in writing should this issue ever come up again. She agreed.
As a result of this Bank of the West still has my pathetically small amount of banking business.
