March 2021 by Donna E.
I have just started a new remote business and need to open a business bank account. I will be traveling, so I wanted to choose a bank that has branches and/or ATMs in the western states. Upon researching, it seems that U.S. Bank was my best choice.So I completed the online application in full, providing all of the necessary information. I then received an email stating that they were unable to open the Silver Business Checking Package. The exact verbiage was:"The decision was made as a result of additional verification attempts made to protect your identity. In review of your application, there were inconsistencies in the information provided. As a result, an account cannot be opened for you at this time. Please visit a U.S. Bank branch in person to provide proper identification. We take our customer's identity and privacy very seriously and appreciate your understanding."No problem. I understand that. I printed that email, my business EIN confirmation from the IRS, and my Oregon Articles of Incorporation and took these with me down to the branch in Florence, Oregon.I arrived at the bank and walked up to the front door. There was a lady there who greeted me very nicely and asked what I needed. I explained to her that I tried to open a business checking account, but was instructed to come to the branch to verify my identity.She asked if I had an appointment and I said that I did not and I didn't know that you needed an appointment. The lady who greeted me nicely offered to see if anyone in the branch would have a space open to see me. I told her thank you very much.She came back and informed me that they could see me and led me to the manager's desk. The lady who greeted me was nicely dressed, professional, friendly and helpful. I appreciated this.I sat at the manager's and laid my papers down. I started to explain that I had tried to open an account and was instructed to come down to the branch to verify my identity. She seemed irritated a bit, but I let that go and I pulled out my California driver's license and I tried to explain that it may be because I actually have a residence in California that I just left and that I had come to Oregon to care for my mom. She saw the papers while I was trying to explain, cut me off and said, "Oh, it's a business account?" I said, "Yes."She then tried to look up something on the computer and said, "I don't see anything in here for this." She then read the email I had printed and pointed out to me that the account wasn't even opened. I tried to tell her that I knew that and I was following the instructions in the email to open the account.She cut me off before I could say that and very curtly told me that all business accounts have to be opened in person in a branch and that's why they didn't open the account. So, I tried to explain to her that the email said I just needed to verify my identity in order to go forward, but she cut me off before I could get the words out. She then proceeded to tell me again that I needed an appointment, that only she (the manager) and one other person there could open a business account and again, I needed an appointment for that. She started to rattle off appointment times for two days later because they're very busy and booked up.At that point, I took back my license and my papers and said, "I won't be opening an account with your bank." I stood up and started to walk out. I saw the face she made and the looks of the other employees sitting nearby as I took my papers and started to walk out.I exited through the first door and got to the front entrance. That door would not open. The manager had followed me and stated curtly, "We have to open the door for you." She also said that she was sorry, but appointments are necessary.I said that wasn't the issue. The issue was that she was rude. She said she didn't mean to be, but that appointments have to be made. I said to her again that she was very short. She even ignored me abou