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I worked at a bank for several years. I quit that job because I wasn't going anywhere with promotions. I applied at BB&T because I was told "There's Opportunity Here" was not only for customers, and I got the job. From day one I hated it. To begin, upper management was more worried about paying over time then customer service. At times we had one teller running both the front and the drive thru. It amazed me that the customers did not mind. On top of that, we took turns leaving early to ensure we did not get overtime. Every Thursday, we had "Team Building" where we would go to dinner. Do you think BB&T paid? NO!!! Do you think we got paid? NO!! Couldn't chance having to pay overtime. The first bank I worked at, in the handbook, stated that if customer service was jeopardized, the bank will buy lunches and give everyone a small break.

Yes, BB&T turned a profit for 2007 while other bigger banks had billions in charge offs, but let me tell you why.

1.) If for some reason, the mail man sends your mail to the wrong address and it gets returned to BB&T you get charged five dollars.

2.) As an employee I was required to have a checking account there, and I was charged for it.

3.) If you call to transfer money you are charged three dollars. All it takes is a couple key strokes.

4.) If you have constant credit (advances money off a credit line to cover any debits that bounce) you are charged ten dollars on top of intrest.

5.) If you don't bank there, but your payroll check is drawn on BB&T, you are charged five dollars to cash it.

6.) You can use you debit card well into the negative without even knowing it for $35.00 a pop.

7.) If you deposit your payroll check after 2:00 on Friday, you do not have access to that money until Tuesday morning. I stand corrected they give you $100.00 courtesy credit. That won't even cover gas and groceries. As a banker, I know all the regulations, BB&T is dodging the bullet on Reg CC which states how long a check can be held. Reg CC allows the $100.00. Don't bother paying any bills until Tuesday, because checks clear the same night. I swear I called in my mortgage payment on the 1st of the month. The check cleard that night!!! It was a paper check.

I could go on but I won't. The last bank liked the NSF fee's, but did not do what they could to gain them. BB&T encourages you to bounce checks by making to almost impossible not to. Unless you have lots of money. So if you live paycheck to paycheck, BB&T is not the best bank for you!

Location: Clayton, North Carolina

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Guest

BB&T is horrible. Over a 3 month period they charged me $900 on an account I had but overdrew.

Go to a 'service rep' or whatever says he can give back 40 bucks.

Ask to talk to manager she refuses. I will recommend everyone I ever meet not to bank there.

Guest

Regardless of how some may feel, BB&T, nor any other bank, can legally "rip you off" without your knowledge. All those forms that you didn't read but signed anyway when you opened an account? The texting that you were doing while your Relationship Banker was explaining everything? The policies that are made available at ANY TIME that you choose not to read? Yeah, it's probably going to come back and *** you in the rear-end.

If you're going to bank with someone, do your homework and read the fine print. Despite the popular belief that a bank or its workers can make up a fee at any given time and implement it without the knowledge of the consumer, it doesn't work that way. Federal laws and regulations would shut ANY business down for not abiding to their stipulations. And obviously, BB&T MUST be doing SOMETHING right because still have plenty of consumers.

As for the customer service, I really can't say anything except be aware that it isn't always the bank's fault, it's the employee's fault as well. Different branches have different employees (duh) and with that comes different personalities. As an employee of BB&T, I do apologize for substandard customer service.. There really is no reason for rudeness, or a less than professional demeanor.

Guest

Charging me a service fee for online bill pay and for Quiken that I do not use nor have I ever used nor did I sign up for this service.

Guest

My experiences with BB&T have been good for over 15 years. The hours are great and the customer service has been quick and accomodating.

Often times, people is stressed financial situations look to blame the bank. If cashing a check is your issue,

consider Wal Mart.

Guest

I agree with the previous post. The $5 for non-BB&T customers to cash a check drawn on that bank is minimal, and will not apply if you open a free checking account.

Grocery stores charge up to $10 to cash a check and even walmart charges 6! So therefore, the $5 is a steal. Not only that, but as a BB&T employee, I can tell you that direct deposit is NOT required, although a free checking account is offered to employees, and all information on fees and when deposits is made available by being outlined in the documentation provided upon opening the account and can be obtained from any teller or relationship banker anytime, if you misplaced your copy or need updated information. We comply with Reg CC in clearing funds and placing holds.

BB&T respects families, offers employees paid time to spend with their families, gives employees benefits from DAY 1 of employment, no 90 day or 6 month or 1 year waiting period. While they don't encourage overtime, customer service is important, and I have been in a situation where a lunch was skipped so lines weren't long and customer's didn't get upset. In that situation lunch was ordered in for the staff, on bb&t's dollar, and we were each given time to sit and enjoy our lunch. Many fees can be avoided by visiting a branch instead of calling, and if the branch location wasn't convenient for you, why would you open an account there?!

As a long-time BofA customer, I am glad to no longer have to deal with that horrendous company who has more hidden fees and tries harder and harder to rip off their clients each day. BB&T is a far superior bank to others I have banked with. And for those who have written some negative responses, I know that you are not educated people just by the grammar, spelling and structure of what you've written. Try getting an education and being educated on the products you use.

Read the literature and fine print presented to you when you open an account.

Here's a free lesson, since you're clearly looking for something for free: the fine print can come back to *** you in the butt if you don't educate yourself, not just in banking but in everything. Be informed and get your facts straight before making accusations, false statements or unfounded rants.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-368856

for one, people come here with a quick question for a quick answer, not to have their grammar critiqued. two your bank sucks, why put a hold on money transferred from one account to another, when both accounts are bb&t accounts.

its absolutely ***!!! since your are the far most educated person on this forum, please give us your expert advise on this subject please.

Guest

Left Bank of America after 6 years and worked for BB&T for 4 years as a teller had good evaluations always meeting goals etc. SSL walked in 1 day and told me I was terminated, gave no reason as BB&T is at will employment.

Refused to discuss my termination. Told me I had 15 minutes to get my stuff and get out. Searched my personal property before they would let me leave the branch and threatened to call police if I refused.

Real *** bags. :(

Guest

Yes, they are low life rip offs! They have even started charging a $6 fee to cash a "Personal" check drawn off a BB&T bank if you don't have an account with them!

So if you write a friend a check or pay the kid that cuts your grass etc.

They have to deposit it in there bank or get Robbed for $6 if they try to cash it at your Lame Bank!!! This REALLY should be illegal!!!

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-310882

just a little fyi... most banks are now charging fees to cash checks for non clients (CHASE for example) just saying. :sigh

Guest

I agree with you that why one of the resp. told me that they don't have a manager to handle a problem.

They will get one if the bank hiring. What's kind of the answer??? I think BB&T stand in the business because of they keep ripe off customers.

They are not able to get my business also my friends and family ever and never. Also, the staffs I had to deal with they both worse employees that I never met!

Guest

I got a call on Saturday my account was flagged for fraud, called the number they left me and was on hold for 65 mins.The fraud took place over 500 miles away. The person informed me my card was now invalid and my account frozen until further notice.

Apparently I have to wait for the transaction to "clear". Well it did on Tuesday so I called back and they actually accused me of defrauding my own account and all but called me a criminal.

I have no money, no way to stop my direct deposit, and I am told I may get resolution in 4-6 weeks--How can this be legal? One person tells me I need a police report and another says I don't-- as soon as this is fixed I am finding another bank.

Guest

I got a call on Saturday my account was flagged for fraud, called the number they left me and was on hold for 65 mins.The fraud took place over 500 miles away. The person informed me my card was now invalid and my account frozen until further notice.

Apparently I have to wait for the transaction to "clear". Well it did on Tuesday so I called back and they actually accused me of defrauding my own account and all but called me a criminal.

I have no money, no way to stop my direct deposit, and I am told I may get resolution in 4-6 weeks--How can this be legal? One person tells me I need a police report and another says I don't-- as soon as this is fixed I am finding another bank.

Guest

BTW: This is not the first time this has happened - I just thought it was always MY mistake. JamJam - BB&T HAS NOT always offered free banking.

Also, MommaBear is correct - you may want to protect BB&T by doing the same thing that they do - we have the right to do what we do because of Federal regulations and guidelines, but you are sadly mistaken. No bank has the right to hold your money and make money in the process while at the same time showing you have the money in your available balance. If the money is not available - IT IS NOT AVAILABLE! I can assure you - BB&T said I had the money available, but in the abyss of the electronic world - I did not.

Their online system CANNOT be trusted. They have 3 different screens - available, pending, and posted.

I wonder if they bother to explain to people - after encouraging them to use BB&T24 - that available balances aren't actually available. I wouldn't know because BB&T was the most trusted bank for me when I opened my account with them 12 yrs ago; however, lots has changed in 12 yrs and I cannot continue with a bank that cannot accommodate a real time system of banking (which I will tell you I was told was impossible) - all of this really makes the money we work hard for the banks to do with what they want.

Guest

I have banked with BB&T for over 12 years - UNTIL NOW! I made the mistake of thinking that my deposit would be treated as it always had. I WAS WRONG!

I recently contacted a BB&T relationship banker who explained to me how my money isn't really my money to do anything with until the bank "oks" it. What do you mean you ask? Well, "listen" to this & take heed.

BB&T's deposit system, check system, and debit system DO NOT run off the same system. Electronic system is different than "paper" system. This means, no matter what you are taught, your money is never treated on real time unless it's a debit. Did you read that? Your money is not treated in real time unless its debit. That means - MommaBear is right - you are only granted $100 of a deposit (no matter how big or small) and the rest (if deposited before 2pm that day) MIGHT be available by 9a the next day - they actually have 2-3 business days to put your money in your account. Even though you think you're making a same day deposit - you are not! If you deposit the money after 2p you get $100 the next morning at 9a and the remaining amount the next (catch this) business day. Saturday is considered the next business day only if your deposit was Thursday after 2p - NOT FRIDAY! So - you deposit your money - but your money is not yours until the bank says it is. The worst part is they blame the federal regulations. I'm sorry, no matter how you cut this or try to explain this - IT IS NOT RIGHT!

Most consumers do not know this and that is why they incur ridiculous NSF charges. I keep a written account of my banking and I never show my account in the negative - and get this - neither does BB&T! Do you hear me - you cannot trust their online banking - it is not real time accurate. I just received $105 in NSF charges because the electronic systems do not work together. Deposits are treated differently than checks and checks and deposits both are treated different than debits. The best thing you can do is stay away from BB&T or get knowledge and ask questions if you're gonna stay there. I DO NOT trust them any longer for a checking account.

In the business world they are wonderful - we have a mortgage with them. If you're someone who does not live paycheck to paycheck you're probably fine, but EVERYONE should understand their policies. Understand that their systems DO NOT work together and nothing except debits work on real time. This is why people all over the country are receiving NSF charges.

Imagine - the "most trusted" bank stays running by NOT explaining all their policies to their customers and those lack of explanations keep them on top cause it keeps the money pouring in.

Guest

On top of several complaints from many family members I decided to open with BB&T. They are out to get your money and that is it.

They will hold your deposited check for as many days as they like so that all your other debit transactions can come through and then charge you a million dollars in overdraft fees that should not be there to begin with. Unless you are extremely rich, then do not bank with BB&T.

All they do is rip people off and get away with it. And they do charge $10 to transfer money from your savings to checking when you overdraw in your checking.

Guest

This comment is to the BB&T employee, it's quite obvious you have not been in customer service to long, I have never witnessed any customer service rep speaking to a customer the way you have. You represent BB&T on and off the job, for growth purposes of the bank you should welcome all comments and concerns from customers and prospective customers.

BB&T hire their employee hoping they are an asset. No disrespect but everyone is entitled to their own opinon and should not be slammed for it, take it as positive critizism to help make BB&T a better Bank for customers and employees.

Guest

MommaBear,

Your list of complaints need to be revised a tad bit dear. There is no requirement for having an account with BB&T if you are an employee and there is no charge for having an account.

Also, if you are using your debit card "well into the negative" it is nobody's fault but your own. It is not the banks responsibility to keep track of your checkbook (since your post federal guidelines have changed regarding these issues with all banks). And again, if you choose not to have direct deposit (as far as I know it is a requirement), BB&T charges non-clients to cash checks. If you were required as you say to have an account then you would not have been charged a fee.

That $5.00 check cashing fee is the bare minimum in comparison to other financial institutions. And the processing order for checks is standard. The cut off is 2:00 pm. That is your responsibility and when you open an account that information is given to you (federal rules and regulations require that clients receive this information).

Being charged for constant credit once again is not only BB&T, as a long term client of BOA I know for a fact that they charge as well. Prior to applying for a constant credit this information is disclosed to you. Don't apply, if you don't approve. I am just going to leave it at that.

Please reconsider your thoughts on this information that you have displayed.

Thanks

Guest

After reading skjtnc comments I will not even think about going to them for a mortgage. When I opened up the account ofcourse I got the whole show on what they can do for me....man am I glad I read the comments here......if I find out I am charged for having this account I will close it....

Guest

We had been a patrons of BOA for many years but wanted to support a regional bank since we moved to NC and decided on BB&T. Worst mistake I ever made in banking (mea maxima culpa, not my wifes).

In just slightly over a month of being with them it has been a nightmare; 1st - We funded the account by an electronic transfer from BOA thinking that would be the fastest. They held that in limbo for I believe 8 business days even though BOA debited our account the day I initiated the transfer through BB&T. Who had our money? Not us.

After about a week I called BB&T asking why our account had not funded yet and was told รขโ‚ฌล“that's just the way it is with electronic transfers, they take 5-10 business daysรขโ‚ฌย. That is total BS, anyone in this day and age knows that money now moves with a click of a computer key, 24 hours max for an electronic transfer. 2Nd - Their check company charged us for checks I didn't order and to cover the charge I was never told I had incurred, BB&T transferred money from our savings to checking and charged us $10 for that. I resolved the problem with Harlond Clark and they agreed we were owed a refund.

I called BB&T and said they would only return the transfer fee when HC refunded our money. About 3 weeks later we finally got the refund from HC and I called BB&T to ask for the $10 back which finally posted about 5 days later. All in all about $40. of our money was tied up for 3-4 weeks.

3Rd รขโ‚ฌโ€œ While all that was happening I had set up our bill payments and scheduled a few well in advance. Each confirmation said it had to be scheduled 5 business days in advance for the payment to be received by a certain due date. Sometime between when I scheduled the payments in mid July and when they were supposed to go out at the end of the month BB&T changed 3 of the 10 payees I had entered from 5 day paper check delivery to 2 day electronic delivery but neglected to notify me which resulted in a payee receiving an electronic payment on 7/28 instead of 8/2 which is the confirmation I received when I scheduled the payment. Of course a $35 overdraft fee resulted.

I called BB&T to ask how could they change a payment delivery date without notifying me and was told that this type of problem needs to escalated to level 2 support. When I asked to speak to Level 2, I was told they don't talk to customers and รขโ‚ฌล“they will review your request and if BB&T was in error your $35 will be refunded in 5-10 business daysรขโ‚ฌย. I got what they call a service request # and the name of the person I spoke to. I then waited about 5 minutes, called back and told them I had a service request # and wanted to speak to a supervisor.

Of course I was told there were none available and so I said I will wait on the line until one is. ALLWAYS DO THIS AND GET THE NAME OF THE PERSON YOU ARE SPEAKING TO. My wife used to work for a call center and they cannot hang up on you or it reflects poorly on their ratings and ties up their line. In about 3 minutes a supervisor came on and said she had reviewed my complaint, it was without basis and I was not due a refund.

When I told her that I refused to accept that answer and again explained the sequence of events she agreed and I saw the refund appear as pending on my account as we spoke. I could go on and on with examples like this in less than a 6 week period but let me finish with a few quick things. BILL PAY; use at your own risk. They canceled payments I had scheduled because I didn't have funds in the account on the day the paper check was supposed to be mailed and did not notify me.

This is because they deduct the money from your account the day the payment is to be mailed, even though it is not scheduled to be delivered until a week later. When I called and asked how they could do this this, a paper check should not be honored until it it presented I was told รขโ‚ฌล“that's just the way we do itรขโ‚ฌย. CUSTOMER SERVICE; calling them to get your money back after you have been unfairly charged fees? You'll be charged if you contact them more than 2 times a month, even if it's their fault.

The final time I called them was today to complain about the $2 charge that had just appeared on my account even though ever single call I made to Phone24 was to dispute fees that we never should have been charged. I informed them they would be losing our business and direct deposits because I had never experienced a less customer friendly bank in over 40 years. When I asked if I would charged $2 for the call she graciously said she would waive the charge (but she lied). The next day a $2 refund did show on our account and then the next day a $2 charge was debited for the call I made to get our first $2 back.

CASH DEPOSITS (Made inside the bank with a teller); were shown as a รขโ‚ฌล“pendingรขโ‚ฌย transaction for 5 days and I have no idea if we had actually tried to pay a bill which would needed to use any of this รขโ‚ฌล“pendingรขโ‚ฌย cash if it would of resulted in an overdraft fee or just been declined.

Bottom line; if you're very wealthy and never let your balance drop below several thousands of dollars you may like BB&T, I'm sure they'll treat you very well. If you're an average guy like me living from paycheck to paycheck avoid them like the plague.

Guest

These people (BB&T) are out there to steal your money by all means possible. Here in Florida, they started charging me $1 dollar with each withdrawal, that to access MY MONEY!.

Their Phone banking service is the worst. Simply because it's never accurate. Charges always show after almost 48 hours and what you hear over the phone as your balance is most of the time wrong. Also, BB&T's online bill payment is slow as *** requiring 5 business day to issue a payment down the street.

You're in trouble if you try to make a payment on Thursday because it won't be processed until Friday of the following week. Scream if you see BB&T branch and run the other way!

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