17 Citi-Bank Customers Arrested for Closing Their Accounts

[FourScore]

Run time: 02:33 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TH3kiaJ1-c8   Posted on YouTube: October 15, 2011 By YouTube Member: vctrcmpbll Views on YouTube: 307   Posted on DU: October 15, 2011 By DU Member: FourScore Views on DU: 15774

 
Sat Oct 15, 2011 at 12:17 PM PDT
Breaking: 30 Citibank customers arrested for closing their account
by DuvalDem

Was just watching Global Revolution live stream where they were live at a Citibank in LaGuardia watching the police holding 30 customers in a Citibank branch where they were in line to close their bank accounts. There was a large group of protesters outside chanting various rejoinders to the bank officals and the police, who seemed to be their in force. The livestream chat is still buzzing about the arrests and you can see various Citibank numbers passing by to call in protest, especially the Citibank customer relations number.

I must say this is strange considering the number of people outside with video recorders and this live stream. I'm not sure what Citibank is thinking here but this seems to be a panic move on their part for taking this rather drastic action. My wife and I are plotting now to move our Bank of America accounts to a local bank or credit union in town now. I know this move from our little family won't have much of an impact but it will at least help me sleep at night...

SNIP

...Update: Global Revolution live stream is now confirming 17 customers arrested. Perhaps because they planned this move as a group Citibank didn't like it so they acted. Whatever, because now their actions have apparently lit up twitter and they are suddenly trending. Go to twitter and search #citibank and viola! Citibank marketing nightmare. Great move guys...

Update II: Ok, here is the youtube video of the arrest as requested by some of the commenters. I have to say I'm now seeing this every where on twitter, facebook, LinkIn... This is going to be bad for Citibank marketing wise...

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/15/1026740/-Breaking:-30-Citibank-customers-arrested-for-closing-their-account?via=siderec

[James48]

1. Citibank- Big Brother stealing all your money.

and then throwing you in prison.

SHAME.

[DCKit]

80. Then locking you up for saying "No mas".

Sorry, just had to put it there.

[roguevalley]

87. personally, I don't know what grounds they used but I would sue

them for false arrest and stealing my account and holding it. WHAT DO WE WANT!? VIRAL! WHEN DO WE WANT IT!? NOW!

[MannyGoldstein]

2. Such brave police

They must be vey proud.

[gateley]

3. I can't help but think this will bite them (Citibank) on the ass. And as

mentioned in the KOS piece, odd they would do this in this day of camera video and the tubes.

[Quantess]

4. Wait...what?

Arrested for what? That's crazy.

[On the Road]

107. It Is Crazy

I doubt closing the accounts was the basis for the arrests. I guess we'll need to hear a full account to understand the situation.

[PatrynXX]

5. and I'm in the middle of switching from a bank to a credit union

even paypal's debit card doesn't do $5 it's $1.50 which is tolerable.

Originally for me it was Union Planters Bank who merged with Regions Bank who merged with AmSouth but their name was so horrid they changed their name to Regions.

I've had to pay a monthly fee all year long $5 originaly then it went to $8 now it's $10 a month on top of that now theres the $5 per use of a debit card. Say wonder if Jerry Seinfeld can't sue big time .... with all those ads about how using a debit card, there was no fees or ID required. nowadays usually I need an ID. So Bank of America and now CitiBank gets their PR fucked but Regions the big asshole plays it save and doesn't do anything stupid. Think I'll go to my Depot one and close it there. They know me , and they don't like Regions. :P What you need is a branch that dislikes it's parent and close it there.

[davidwparker]

73. You will NOT regret it. I did this when the "Move your

Money" idea came about.

[DollyM]

89. Regions Bank also started charging for the debit card and other fees as well

We just closed both our Regions accounts as they were going to charge $4.00 for the debit card and 8.00 just to have the account. We have two small accounts with them and as our only income is my unemployment checks and my husbands small pension, I wasn't going to pay them 12.00 a month for our bank account. It may not seem like a lot to some people but we have less than $1000.00 a month coming in and 12 dollars could go to food or gas for the car. We just switched to People's Bank, with no fees at all. It is a regional bank though and they assured us they had no plans to add checking account fees. We shall see . . . if they do, we will simply stop using the bank and go to my grandparent's system of keeping our money under the mattress! (My grandparents lost their home during the Great Depression when the bank closed and they had no proof they had paid for it. They had to re-buy their home! So they stopped using a bank for many years. It may come to this again.)

[PatrynXX]

97. Union Planters never would have done this

ol bank mergers. not sure if the original Regions would have but AmSouth. AmSouth has such a bad rep they merged with Regions and Regions became their name. Go figure. Been wanting to leave since that happened. And since yet another bank Bank of America is threating to arrest others who close their account because of fees. I might take the offer of having the Credit Union close my account their and transfer the money. Be safer that way. Can't afford the risk of getting arrested for the heck of it. I always had to wait to get my debit card in the mail. I went to the local CU and they stamped it there in the area and this is at a grocery store. And they still stamped it there.

Actions like Citibank and BofA just have people do a run on the bank. Don't know what they are thinking. Getting some SSI right now or SSD , but most of the year I had to borrow $8 a month from my parents just to keep the account open. the $5 surcharge on debit cards is crazy.

[DollyM]

116. accounts guy at People's said they were getting people in drovies from Regions and B o A.

And he used to work at Regions. He said he left because he saw was what was coming with the corporation. People's is a local bank and they are built on small customer accounts. Regions is apparently only interested in the people with big bucks which most of us aren't anymore. We are livng on my husbands very small pension and my unemployment so I am not going to pay anyone any more than I have too.

[peacebird]

6. What excuse was given for the arrests?

[Quixote1818]

23. The bank said they were not making with-drawls but making a ruckus inside

the Daily KOS link above has the best info.

[ScottLand]

7. That's disturbing.

[peacebird]

8. Citibanks contact info here! Let us swamp them with calls and emails over this!

https://online.citibank.com/US/JRS/portal/contactus.do

[Quixote1818]

12. I agree. I would post that on the youtube link too. nt

[peacebird]

50. I do not have an account. On utube, perhaps someone who does can post this?

[Iwillnevergiveup]

9. That young woman

was seriously man-handled....lots of cops....for what???

[civilisation]

48. yes, that was way out of line,. .

A reasonable bank customer was attacked by a large group of large men wielding clubs., for being "in the bank" at some point. they snatched up those people and took them away,? . that is not acceptable behaviour for a police force of the people. Those guys work for the banks and the 1%,. some shame should be applied.

[jwirr]

66. The eventual lawsuits should include both the banksters and the

police. Police need to have a law to enforce before they act. In this case they are absolutely wrong.

[Charronxyz]

10. you tube...

1442 like the video and only 307 views...

[Quixote1818]

11. Thats pretty common on youtube. The actual count will show up tomorrow

It seems like once the clock hits a certain time the real hit count kicks in.

[Quixote1818]

13. This is terrible PR for Citi Bank and all big banks.

Complete idiot move on the part of the Bank to have people arrested. This video will have 100,000 hits by Monday.

[TheEuclideanOne]

60. Not an idiot move

If you are in total control of everything, PR becomes irrelevant.

[SoapBox]

14. CREDIT UNION info here...

It's a place to start.

I so wish that MILLIONS would get away from these slimey banks.

National Credit Union Administration
http://www.ncua.gov/

[Critters2]

15. I left my bank (Centrue, based in St. Louis) soon after the financial crisis hit in 2008.

I'm so glad I did, and wish everyone would. Thanks for posting this!

[defendandprotect]

16. KR -- back later to watch video --

[Critters2]

17. Credit Union finder:

http://www.findacreditunion.com/

[1monster]

54. The only credit union this one lists for my area is Northrop Grumman... but I know

there are more, including a teachers' credit union.

[jonthebru]

18. A Few Comments...

If a few of those obese cops don't have heart attacks by the time this is over I will be very surprised.
Bloomberg must be freakin' out.
It looks to me that it is way beyond the control of the "powers that be". The more the authorities clash with peaceful demonstrators the worse it will be for the authorities. There is a huge second and third string out there. Someone is really gonna get hurt and then all helk will break loose.
The worst that can happen for the banks is when they throw out some bones to the masses, the masses reject the bones and the results are not to their liking. If people continue to revolt then there is probably no "plan B" for the banks... or the government.
Imagine; closing a bank account as a political and economic protest in a peaceful manner and getting arrested for it. I smell a lawsuit for sure...
I can just see next week all over the United States Of America, people calmly walking into a bank withdrawing their money and closing their account... Be sure you open one at your well researched credit union or community bank first though and move your obligations and automatic deposits over before closing your account at the greedy place.

There are many issues to bring to the table lets hope everybody can keep their eyes on the main prize equal opportunity and regulation of the financial industry. We must get the money out of politics and control the lobby industry. These are not easy projects these people have spent years creating their fiefdoms and are not going to give their little corners up without a fight.

[Quixote1818]

21. I agree. Nicely put. nt

[Quixote1818]

22. As Michael Moore said: "They are afraid of Youtube" and this is a prime example

using youtube, showing how things are getting away from them.

[zonkers]

38. NYPD will be getting their asses sued just as they did after the 04 RNC arrests which

cost them millions.

[MrMickeysMom]

19. Yeah, you wanna piece of my hand-cuffs, members?

Just say you're gonna withdraw you money.

Goon squad cops.

[MrMickeysMom]

20. SHITTY BANK

Kick and withdraw your SHITTY MONEY.

[McCamy Taylor]

24. This one ought to be top of the greatest page in about an hour.

K&R for bankster stupidity.

[craigmatic]

25. Marx was right police are only there to protect the status quo. It shows now more than ever.

[aggiesal]

26. Don't you get it?

They're the 1%'s !!!
They can do anything they want and get away with it.

They'll just pay off the police & judges.
Just like JP Morgan gave $4.6M to the NYPD.

[davidwparker]

74. Not really. You defund the large banks by moving your

money to YOUR local area into a credit union or some local bank.

Take YOUR money out of their hands. Diversify.

Too big to fail becomes not big enough to care.

[quakerboy]

99. I wish

While I do believe this movement is a start, and I support and encourage the move to close accounts and move to Credit unions, the stats aren't in our favor.

We are the 99%. And the 1% own 38% of the wealth. The top 10% own 71% of the wealth. And those of us under. The remainder is enough for its removal to make a dent in corporate banking bottom line. If everyone made the move. Of course, the bottom 40 of us collectively have less than 1% of the wealth, hardly enough to make them "not big enough to care".

[aggiesal]

112. By your numbers ...

If 10% own 71% of the wealth, then 90% own 29% of the remaining wealth.
Also if 40% have only 1%, then the other 50% (90-40) have 28%.

To make a difference we need the 50% of the population that have the 28%
get it out of big banks. 28% is more then 1/4 of the wealth which isn't
peanuts.

I've moved my money out Chase, and into a local Credit Union.

[aggiesal]

113. They are the 1%'s

Today, BofA wouldn't allow you to close your account.

These 1%'s are extremely arrogant SOB's

They think they can do what they want, and are pretty
much getting away with it.

And because they're the banks, the police are going to
protect them before they protect the public.

They're To Big to Fail, and To Big to Care.

[chervilant]

27. Wow...

Is this Citibank's concept of 'customer service'? Well, they SUCK at it.

[20score]

28. It's convinced me to close my bank account and go to a credit union, and I don't even have

Citibank. Anyone who does, I'm sure will be much more apt to close their accounts. (They're always looking for short term gain, and they hurt themselves long term, every time. Look at the next quarter not the next ten years - arrest a few protesters now and lose a few thousand customers later. They are so fucking stupid we can't lose. (At least we shouldn't.)

[reggie the dog]

95. with the interest being paid these days stashing cash may

be a better idea

[Devil_Fish]

29. I AM CLOSING OUT MY bOFa ACCOUNT TOO. IF WE ALL JOIN TOGETHER IT WILL HURT THEM!!!!nt

[davidwparker]

75. +1

[quakerboy]

100. Drops in the bucket

Eventually they will take notice, if enough drops leak away.

And if nothing else, each one of us moving to a CU is one less person beholden to the big banks, one less with something riding on their success. If we could get enough people out, the next time their bubble bursts, maybe more people will shy from propping them up with our tax dollars.

[avaistheone1]

30. SHITTIBANK sure is shitty at public relations. How stupid.

This video is going to go viral, and it is only going to cause more people to not want to do business with them. What a bunch of idiots.

Those thugs manhandling the customers I think are going to cost the bank a lot of money and lawsuits. Some of the police/guards were in plain clothes, not uniform, correct?

I hope 100 people show up on Monday and cancel accounts as well as each day thereafter.

[Quixote1818]

31. Interesting. Just found out it's illegal to incite a run on a bank

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bank_run


I don't agree with the law because it sounds like something the 1%ers set up to protect themselves but it is the law. Even if we all try to start taking our money out of the big banks they can prevent us from getting our money if they can say there is a "run on the bank".

As George Carlin once put it "They got us by the balls!" Ass Holes!

[drmeow]

32. I'm guessing it is a

remnant from the post great depression days since there were devastating runs on banks then. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bank_run

[jwirr]

69. Yes the law against incitement is a protection of a run based on

fear such as the ones in 1929. However ours are not based on fear. They are based on our understanding the these banksters are not running their banks the way we want the bank that holds our money to work. They are the ones who have the fear.

They may be able to use this law for the arrests though.

[LiberalEsto]

108. Who are they going to arrest and charge?

All of us?

[jwirr]

111. That is another reason that we should be joining this move. Safety in numbers. nt

[progressoid]

71. 17 people isn't a run on a bank.

[davidwparker]

76. It's not a run on the bank. You, as a consumer, are moving

your money elsewhere.

IOW, they have you by the bal*s, not me. I've moved my money over a year ago. Just after the bailouts.

[hourglass1]

33. POLICE OFFICERS

DO NOT EXPECT THE TAXPAYERS TO FUND YOUR LONG-GONE PENSION PLANS ... GET OFF YOUR KNEES AND JOIN "WE THE PEOPLE"!

[Delphinus]

44. Love the quote

in your tagline. Excellent.

And, yes, you are correct. The pension plans are gone - Enron all over again.

[Stardust]

34. I switched from Bank of America to a credit union back in 2008 and was astonished when an actual

bank manager came over and tried to dissuade me. My piddly amount of money made absolutely no impact on their bottom line, but I think they could foresee a mass exodus even back then. I told her it was the bonuses that caused me to make the switch. She warned me against the credit worthiness of the small banks, but I stood firm and took my money and left. And never looked back. I hate them and their filthy lucre.

[DFW]

37. I haven't done it yet, but only because of one employee there

He's a legal Mexican and has a heart of gold. I'm overseas, but an email or phone call and I get any
tiny transfer done out of Dallas, or perceived irregularity investigated and rectified.

[quakerboy]

101. I suspect that

You would get just as good of service from a CU. I always do when I call or go in.

And if more people like you move over, the CU's will have to hire more people. Maybe your loyal banker can make the move too. heh. (yeah, i know, easier said than done, but the theory is sound)

[stockholmer]

39. credit worthiness!! BoA, JPM, Goldman, Citi, Morgan Stanley etc have TRILLIONS in off balance sheet

liabilities, especially from derivatives, all marked at 'mark to model' accounting standards that were illegal up until the Clinton years and beyond. They are truly zombie banks, having the blood flow of trillions pumped into their corpses via the corrupt privately controlled central banks of the world, especially the US Federal Reserve, BoE, ECB, and the big granddaddy of them all, the BIS.

They have to be taken down, or they will bring down the entire global financial system. The nexus of private banks, their central banks, and the politicians that they own through control of sovereign debt is the biggest multi-variate threat to humanity that the world has ever seen. They have the power to literally start civil and global wars to ensure that they retain the whip-hand over all the chattel debt slaves (aka citizens) of the world.

They control the corporations and governments (and thus the miltaries) who are destroying the planet through resource exhaustion, GMO totalitarian food-cycle manipulation, bio-pharma schemes of both profit and population reduction, nuclear radiation pollution, nation-bankrupting and destroying empiric wars and the resultant industrial arms complex, as well as a crushingly effective race to the bottom in terms of standards of living reductions for the entire developed world.

End their dominance asap or they most assuredly will kill all who resist. The longer humanity waits, the less the chances of success are. They already have a track-trace-database police state grid of surveillance and control partially erected (and growing every day), they already put to use thousands of years of cumulative knowledge of mass societal manipulation tactics (both overt and covert), and they will never, ever stop increasing the amount of financialisation, commoditisation, and debt-based slavery in all spheres of endeavour. It is etched into these systemic controller's DNA.

[karmkay]

46. me too

this week.  Been wanting to get out of BOA for years.  Finally
the $5.00 was the tipping point.

[BeHereNow]

109. Just so you know- no need to go into the BOA to move your money

If you have selected a credit union or local bank to
move your assets into, simply walk in, tell them you want
to open an account with them and write them a check from
your bank account. Check your balance and make the check
out for that amount- Call the bank and tell them you have closed your account.
No need to go in.
It's really that simple!
BHN

[Stardust]

114. Did BOA try to talk you out of closing your account(s?

[davidwparker]

77. LOL. Like FDIC only applies to BofA.

[customerserviceguy]

85. What incredible bullshit

The same FDIC insurance that protects your money at the biggies protects it at the smaller banks, and there's a similar organization that insures credit unions.

It reminds me of the big pharma chains who caution about the safety of drugs from Canada. It's all the same fear tactics that Rethuglicans have used for decades.

[unionworks]

35. unbelievable

"Everybody look what's goin' down"....

[FlaGranny]

36. I had an account

at a small local bank 20-25 years ago. It was bought out by a bigger bank. Then that was bought out. Then it was bought out by an even bigger bank, and now it has been bought out by Wells Fargo - equaling 5 different banks. I've found a convenient local bank with an excellent rating and as soon as I get the chance I'll probably be moving the accounts.

Funny thing is that yesterday there was a public relations (?) dude in the Wells Fargo branch yesterday, extra helpful to everyone walking in the door.

[1monster]

56. I can beat you. I've opened my bank account in December, 1983. Since that

time the bank has changed hand nine or ten times. I have monthly automatic withdrawls (including my electric bill) which has made me reluctant to change banks, but with each bank take over, the service gets worse, it costs more, and I'm more unhappy. It is time to change.

[Diclotican]

40. FourScore

FourScore

Only in the US, can someone be arrested, becouse they want to get their money out of the bank... In most other nations, it is far better to let customers who are not enjoying their service go with the money, instead of making a show like this. Most other banks, in other nations, are litle low key, when it come to customers who dosen't want to be a customer longer...

This wil came back and bite City Bank in the ass... and also the NYPD wil posible be sued for this...

Diclotican

[mnhtnbb]

41. Closing bank accounts takes planning...

A local Raleigh Congressman--Brad Miller (D)--who is in danger of being gerrymandered out of his constituency
thanks to the Republican takeover of NC State Legislature in 2010--stopped by a Raleigh OWS protest last week.
He talked about changing banks and his new bill:



So how hard is it to change banks? Harder than you think, Miller said, especially if you automatically deduct bills from checking accounts. To change banks, he said, you may have to maintain dual accounts for as long as three months.

<snip>

Miller's Freedom and Mobility in Banking Act would allow a consumer to close a bank account by phone or online as well as in person, prohibit fees or charges for closing an account and prohibit banks from black-listing a consumer for failing to satisfy bank-generated fees assessed to an account at the time of closure.



http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/10/16/1569978/protesters-have-friend-in-miller.html#storylink=misearch

[slay]

42. Miller, while not one of my favorites, usually does vote the right way

i voted for him in 2008. think i'm still in his district - hope so.

[davidwparker]

78. My credit union has a bill paying service. Those to whom

I pay bills don't have my account information.

Before I moved from a bank to a credit union, yes, I paid like Miller did. But, with each new bill that I started paying from my credit union, I got satisfaction.

[blackbart99]

43. Who is the guy who grabbed her?

He was wearing a sweat shirt and jeans. He was dressed like that so he could get close to them and listen to what they were saying without suspicion before pouncing on her. Maybe she said something
he could use against her later. We need the other videos of this to see him before he made his move.

[Vinca]

45. Dems with big money need to start moving the loot . . . NOW!

There's one way to break up the big banks. Make them small!

[davidwparker]

79. +1

[gtar100]

47. To Protect and Serve....Citibank

What can you say about these policemen? The mentality is just astonishing. They are acting like a bunch of thugs and have lost any sense or justice. That's the problem with "just following orders".

[Swampguana]

49. WOW

Lawyer up. No way that can legal action.

[fascisthunter]

51. FASCISM in action

[Recursion]

52. Well, no, they weren't arrested for closing their accounts

But that does make better ink

[crim son]

68. I agree with you and was just about to post the same,

but what's the point? The headlines are bringing more attention to the issue, and making us look like hysterical fools.

[quakerboy]

102. Then what were they arrested for?

[Recursion]

115. Creating a disturbance (nt)

[quakerboy]

117. Were they creating a disturbance?

Way I heard it the actual charge was tresspassing.

The difference between reality and words is important.

[catrose]

53. What about our mortgages

I've been with credit unions since the 1980s, but when I told a mortgage broker that I didn't want to end up with BoA or Chase, he laughed, because more than 80% go to BoA, Chase, or Wells Fargo. Sure enough, my mortgage was sold to BoA. So if we move our money, but they have our houses, we're still not in a good position.

And why don't we have choices about such things?

[Stainless]

58. Wells Fargo got my mortgage last year!

I bought a second home for retirement about a year ago. The mortgage was bought by Wells Fargo after closing. My retirement money is in a federally chartered credit union and I'm in the process of closing my bank account of 35 years because they don't have any branches closer than 300 miles to my retirement location.
I would suggest everyone to be smart and open a credit union account. Change your direct deposits to your new credit union account and gradually move your remaining assets. The bankster SOB's will eventually get the message.

[catrose]

65. Good Advice

My accounts are with credit unions, and my car loans are with credit unions. The credit union couldn't do the cash-out refi like I wanted, so I went to this mortgage broker who said that he could arrange it. Then at the last minute he said that he couldn't; so we were stuck--and sold to BoA.

[LynnTTT]

55. But why trust "little "banks or credit unions?

I'm old enuf to remember bank scandals in MD from the 70's . Small credit unions and community banks were involved in real estate scandals then too. Why do we have confidence in any bank? I suspect that small banks are just as liable to be crooked as a larger one. I'm being a little snarky, but I do have a pretty large inheritance that (after probate) I can take out of an estate account and into a personal account. Where to put it? Not putting it in the stock market, maybe a CD (paying less than 1%). I'll pay off an RV loan, but don't want to pay off house mortgage. I still have my personal account with BOA, but hate to give them more money. It's ridiculous to worry about having some money when so many don't, but being retired, I do need to be careful.

[OnlinePoker]

61. The diffference between banks and credit unions....

...is that, normally, local bank and C.U. managers and directors are actually held to account for any mismanagement or criminality committed by their organization. When was the last time someone high up in the big banks ever even got arrested for their deeds, let alone spend time in jail?

[abelenkpe]

57. It's a crime to close ones account?

[Gore1FL]

62. Two answers to two questions.

Credit Unions are owned by the people with the accounts. The collective of account holder owners aren't likely to screw themselves.

Local Banks tend to invest in the community and were not engaging in the hijinks that crashed the economy.

[civilisation]

90. Hear hear!

[aquamarina]

59. Wow! Way. To. Go. Citibank.

Great marketing strategy - we'll arrest you if you try to withdraw your money from our bank.

The world has truly gone crazy.

[Gore1FL]

63. Here is the blog article URL (w/ comment field) that denies any wrongdoing by citi:

http://new.citi.com/2011/10/citibank-statement-regarding-protester-arrests.shtml#more

If anyone is interested... :)

[booley]

88. That statement doesn't ring true

They were very disruptive and refused to leave after being repeatedly asked,

We cant' see inside to see if they were being disruptive but we can see them trying to leave and in the case of at least one person, forced back into the bank.

IF you want some one to leave, you don't keep them from leaving. That doesn't make sense.

[Gore1FL]

96. I agree

Their commentary seems at best self-defensive.

I also notices that their comment section is moderated and not one comment has appeared yet.

Go figure!

This makes them and the police look worse and worse.

[jwirr]

64. One big mistake. As far as I know there is no law against closing

your account at a bank. Even if it is planned by a group. This was a great action which reveals just what banksters are doing.

[davidwparker]

81. There is no such law. Have a bank account closing party. nt

[Gari]

67. Planning to use our local Teacher's credit union

Now I think I will open the new account, change the deposit information with the Personnel office at work and then have direct deposit got to new account. Then, the old bank account will be starved down to nothing without the regular direct deposits without having to go to the branch. Have to check if the old account will be incurring charges.

[bengalherder]

70. Many years ago (80's) one of my art mentors taught me the virtues of small banks,

CU's and S&Ls. I have only once had an account at a large bank (result of a merger), and moved it to a smaller one within the year. I've been with credit unions for the last decade and have had no problems.

I encourage anybody still hanging on to a big bank account to switch, you'll be glad you did.

[davidwparker]

82. After the bailouts, I relearned this lesson. I started with

a CU. Thought I was more sophisticated so I went to a bank.

Now, I see how unsophisticated I was. Glad to be back at a CU.

[progressoid]

72. Lawsuit!

[Jack Rabbit]

83. Isn't the free market wonderful? See how it works when deregulated?

If you try to take your business elsewhere, you get arrested.

[customerserviceguy]

84. No surprise

If the bailed out banks had anything other than a tin ear for what people are saying, they wouldn't have continued to pay exorbitant bonuses to the same banksters who ran them (and the economy) into the ground.

I celebrate the ham-handedness of the Citibanks of this country, maybe these arrests will show Mr. and Mrs. Middle America the folly of continuing to be the cash cows being milked for the enormous profits of the giant megabanks.

[quakerboy]

103. Oh, they hear just fine

They just feel comfortable that the process of creeping fascism has progressed far enough that they are beyond punishment.

[orbitalman]

86. CitiBank........poor babies.........

:sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

[Uncle Joe]

91. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, FourScore.

[Drale]

92. This is ripe for lawsuits

What are they going to charge them with?

[Zoigal]

93. We switched to a small local bank several months ago after

banking with US Bank for over forty five years.
Going to start using our teachers' credit union
account more, too. Credit unions now days have just
about same services as banks IMO. Small move, but
hopefully more will do it....z

[SteveM]

94. They had a word for it in my Mom's day: Bank run!

:D

[abelenkpe]

98. Banks are just afraid of a run

Wonder why. Aren't they solvent?

[NICO9000]

104. And naturally, NY's finest overreact as scheduled

At least the world is getting to see the burgeoning police state we've been cultivating for so long in the US.

This video nearly made me vomit. How are pigs with guns and clubs outmatched by a woman carrying papers, fer crissakes? This is the textbook example of how militarized the cops have become. Now every citizen is an enemy combatant to be take down by whatever means necessary.

I have a feeling we're on the cusp of something resembling a new civil war. I've been reading the comments on the OWS stories that actually do make it on AOL (I know, I know...) and the vitriol posted by about 25% is absolutely ridiculous. Apparently, that group are all hard-workin' Murikkkuns who don't like their precious oligarchs being threatened. Preposterous of course, but maybe we're gonna have a battle between the reasonable people versus the clinically insane. It's definitely getting more exciting with each week. My wife and I have been waiting for something like this to happen for many years.

[Lorien]

105. Um, how can they ARREST someone for deciding that they no longer want to do

business with their bank?? What are the charges?

[klook]

106. Credit Union DataBase - Find your credit union

http://www.credituniondb.com/ -- searchable database of all credit unions in the USA.

I've been a member of a credit union for about 30 years, and have always been totally satisfied with their low fees and great, friendly customer service. I would never go back to keeping my money in a bank.

[glowing]

110. I almost think that the lady in black wasn't part of the group.

And the videos do not show a rucus. The only rucus is frok citibank and police.