Complaint Review: TCF Bank - Schiller Park Illinois

My experiences with TCF have been fair, poor, and lousy. I have had an account since the mid-90's, and admit to having made errors and oversights in my transactions; however, it seems no matter my true financial situation, the bank always finds a way to collect more than its fair share. I have been injured since 1-04, and just recently had to cash in a medical spending account. The check was issued from out of state, so the bank takes 5 days to clear it. I had some pretty serious medical bills, and some of them were arriving with FINAL NOTICE on them. I sent out the payments right away, and that resulted in 6 overdrafts at $33 a piece. I didn't realise the money really wasn't there, and how would I? I called to check my balance several times that week, and all seemed fine, until I realised that I suddenly was overdrawn. The bank wins. Just today, I tried to transfer funds to my fiancee's TCF account. I deposited a large sum of money on Friday of last week, which wont be available until this Friday. This was a disability income check that took quite a bit of hassle to get. My previous overdraft caused a void in funds available, and the money I need to pay my mortgage is not available, even though my account balance is in excess of $2000.00. My mortgage companies will either have to be paid a late fee, or the bank will issue an overdraft notice. Who's money is it? I was concerned, so I spoke to a TCF customer service rep. She explained to me that it was my fault. She explained how the Express Teller machines would have allowed me access to funds on the following day; hence, avoiding the 5 day wait. Brilliant, yet too late. It only angers me even more, knowing that the helpful, human teller at the bank is the last place I should go to get good service. Just what was I thinking? The machines are apparently faster at processing out-of-state checks because they do not distinguish them from local checks. Dummer is better? I would close my account today, but the funds will not be available until Friday. Who's money?

I find issue with your remark about "mystery fees." You are given what's called a "Terms & Conditions Packet" when you open the account, it's kind of like when you buy a bicycle, you get a manual. If you don't read that manual for the bicycle, chances are you might have some problems putting it together. If you don't read the "Terms & Conditions" of your TCF account, then you might have some problems with it. Each fee that would ever be assessed to the account is outlined in the Terms & Conditions in a brochure called the "Services & Prices" The fees were disclosed to you, it's not a mystery. Just because you neglected to read this important information, does not make TCF a "bad business" TCF is required, like any bank, to disclose these fees. They are subject to change at any time, but TCF notifies you in your monthly statement ahead of time if any changes are being made. If you are so familiar with the banking industry as you claim, you would not be referring to these fees as "mystery fees." If you threw away your services & prices schedule, simply stop into your nearest TCF branch and I'm sure they'll happily provide you with a copy. Basically, your complaint is not grounds for someone to close the account. I can assure you that if you go to another bank they will have a fee schedule in place also. Remember, banks are not non-profit organizations and they have to make money while offering you a "Free Checking" account. Contrary to popular belief, Free Checking means no minimum balance requirement, no per check writing charge. No government agency will look into the problem because it is not the bank's problem, it is yours for not reading the terms of the account.

This bank has earned it's name T=The C=colored= F= folks bank. Being African American I would suggest that this bank is no better than a currency exchange!!!

This bank has earned it's name T=The C=colored= F= folks bank. Being African American I would suggest that this bank is no better than a currency exchange!!!

This bank has earned it's name T=The C=colored= F= folks bank. Being African American I would suggest that this bank is no better than a currency exchange!!!