Why it pays to have a good relationship with your bank

Most of us here have probably had some credit problems one time or another and many of us here have had the unfortunate privilege to have dealings with PDL companies using and abusing our checking accounts. Having a good and personal relationship with your branch bank can help tremendously when these situations arise.

If at all possible try and get some kind of personal relationship with someone at the bank, manager, assistant manager. Go in and just ask about different types of accounts or loans, be personable with them try and build a relationship. Don't be freaky or "stalker" personable though ;) It might take a while but it will be worth it. The longer you have had your account there the better. The more accounts you have there the better also.

I'll give you an example of what happened with me. I had my checking account with this bank seven years so far. I always kept my account in good standing. Yes over those few years I had a couple of checks that were insufficient but the bank still paid them, of course I got dinged with fees but it was never anything major. One day I wanted to make a wire transfer for something I bought so I went to the bank to take care of it and I casually worked up a nice conversation with the assistant manager and we got to know each other somewhat. A couple of years later I get married and my wife is from Asia and this is her first time in this country. So I take her down to the bank to open a checking account for her. The assistant manger is also Asian and an immigrant also so we have a nice conversation, the three of us and she is very helpful. Bear with me, I'm getting to where I'm going :) Every time I go to the bank I make sure to say hi. Well one day, stupid me I take out a PDL. Well the nimrods started trying to debit my account on conesective days running up NSF fees up the butt. I had over $1,000 in NSF fees. I go to the bank and talk to the assistant manager and explain the situation. She is very helpful and recommends I close the account. She also refunds all the NSF fees back so I don't have to pay. She said it will take a few days to close the account. I was worried that they might try to debit my account again though, but she put a notation in my account stating that no ACH's are to be accepted. She also calls the manager over and explains the situation, the manager states that she will make sure no debits go through also and they will close my account as soon as they can. A couple of days later the account is closed. The bank saved me a lot of money and was very helpful and because of that we eventually took out a car loan and home loan through them.

Now not everyone will have the same circumstance, but if at all possible try and get some kind of relationship with your branch where you opened your account. It might save you some headaches and money in the future.