March 2021 by Ty Schwartz
Recently, a deal was struck with Summit Credit union to purchase the Associated Bank branch in Monroe, WI. Instead of giving customers a choice as to whether they wanted to switch to Summit credit union, customers accounts were transferred without their permission. To me, this shows clearly what we already know about banks: they have zero care about their customers and only care about maximizing their own profits.As a 20+ year customer of Associated Bank (and at least 10 years prior as a First Financial customer), I was treated like a piece of livestock auctioned off as part of an acquisition deal to maximize the sale of one of their branches to Summit Credit Union. I was never given the option, or choice, I was simply told I was now a part of Summit Credit Union. What worse? I dont even bank in Monroe, I bank in Madison and Eau Claire.I now need to change my direct deposit, automatic payments, all my saved card numbers, for a bank that has no branch locations anywhere in the state, and likely doesnt have the same type of checking account I had with Associated (which I was happy with).Upon calling customer service, I was told that its too late, my accounts have been transferred to Summit and that I need to close my accounts with Summit and re-open (again) with Associated. Well needless to say, I will be closing my Summit account and I wont be re-opening with Associated.I want everyone reading this to know (and Aaron Rogers I hope you are reading this too) that Associated Bank leadership puts profits over its customers. We are not cherished and respected, because if we were, they would have given us a choice or option to stay with Associated or move to Summit.Instead, AB leadership decided to auction off its customers as part of the acquisition agreement to Summit in exchange for purchasing their branch. I hope current AB customers read this and decide to take their business elsewhere, lest they be next to be taken for granted.
