October 2017 by Barbara M
I switched to Key Bank because they were local in Eastsound and was frustrated with US Bank. While everyone at this branch is really nice, I am very dissatisfied with Key Bank, their policies, their service and how their on-line checking works. Today, they called me because I deposited a $2,500 check in the local ATM. They are putting a 9-day hold on it because I "didn't have a lot of money in my account" and I had never deposited a check from this particular company before. Mind you, this was not a personal check, this was a check from a multi-million dollar corporation in Virginia. This is 2017 - in what world does it take 9-days for a bank to clear a check? The bank representative told me that if I had more money in my account they wouldn't have held the check. Oh sorry, its the end of the month and THAT'S WHY I DEPOSITED THE CHECK! She also told me if I had come inside to the window so they could "see me" and I could "explain" the check they wouldn't have put a hold on it. Sorry, but I have to EXPLAIN a check I'm depositing? The last time I went into a bank to deposit a check was, I don't know - maybe 1985? This is not the first time they've held my money for an inordinate amount of time. When I first opened the account, I couldn't use it for almost 2 weeks because of their policies regarding deposits. They offer automated teller and electronic deposits of checks - but don't use them or you won't see your money for over a week. They explained to me this is because of all the check fraud rampant today but you know what? I could have taken that same check, taken a picture of it and deposited it into US Bank using my i-Phone. I would have had $100 yesterday and the balance available TODAY. A brief word about their on-line checking - paying bills with it is a balancing act. You have to really watch the dates when they will withdraw the funds for the check vs the date they guarantee the check will arrive. Your money can be taken out over a week before the vendor even gets the check - never mind waiting until they cash it.