Thread: N.C. county spurns BoA for offering credit to illegals

N.C. county spurns BoA for offering credit to illegals

April 27, 2007 9:16 AM

GASTONIA, N.C. (AP) - Gaston County commissioners spurned Bank of America Thursday and awarded a contract to Wachovia Corp. because Bank of America offers a credit card that can be used by illegal immigrants.

The deal, which will cost the county about $120,000 in interest over four years, was approved by the board - all Republicans - without discussion.

County officials said the cost would be offset by savings from trips to the bank, noting that the nearest Wachovia branch is closer to the county administration building than the nearest Bank of America branch.

"If we put a dollar value to staff time, there is not a difference," said County Manager Jan Winters.

The county would have an average daily balance of about $10 million.

Commissioners last fall directed county staff to cut programs and services that illegal immigrants could use.

Bank of America started a pilot program in the Los Angeles area late last year that didn't require a Social Security number to sign up for a credit card. The Charlotte-based bank insists the card isn't specifically designed to attract illegal immigrants, but acknowledges that could happen. The goal of the card is to introduce customers to banking and help build a credit history, bank officials said.

Citigroup Inc. has had a similar program for years and Wells Fargo & Co. officials have said they are considering such a card.

Wachovia, also based in Charlotte, does not have a similar credit card program. Wachovia, like Bank of America and other banks, accepts identification issued by Mexican consulates to customers who want to open an account but don't have Social Security numbers.

http://www.thetimesnews.com/onset?id=15 ... ticle.html

This needs to be a large trend. Charlotte is about the 2nd largest banking center in the US so maybe having this happen close by will open their eyes. But I am sure BOA has weighed the response and at this point they think they will gain more business than they will lose. I hope they get the rug pulled out from under them.

They need to change their name from BOA to BOM (Bank of Mexico). I cringe every time I see American in their title.

Added to Homepage

http://www.alipac.us/modules.php?name=N ... e&sid=2112

Way to go Gaston County

I am not clear on this. I thought Wachovia was one of the bank's on ALIPAC's list of those that do allow use of the Mexican Matricula card. Comments, please.

Hi macninni.

You're right. Wachovia does accept the matricula card to set up accounts such as checking, savings, cds. But they don't give credit cards to illegal aliens. I believe the credit card was the issue with the commissioners.

It would have been great if Gaston would have gone with a bank that doesn't aid and abet illegals in any way.

WELOME macninni, to alipac hope your getting involved in the campaign this week! we need everyone

WAY TO GO NC!!

Well today was a good day for me -

I closed my BOA account - after the freaking mexicans were helped first of course -
Then I was asked why I was closing my account - so I just pointed to the mexicans and said THAT is why.
Evidentally she must have been deaf or just plain stupid because she asked AGAIN why I was closing my account, so I said look, those little jerks (toned down for the group LOL - didn't say jerk though! LOL) are gonna default on all the loans and all the credit cards and when that happens, and it WILL, you are gonna stick US with the bill and quite frankly, they get enough crap here for free, the free ride is about over!!!
Well I think she got it then, and when all was said and done, she had the balls to wish me "good luck in life" Told her to take that crap and stick it back where she got it from!

I'm soooooooooo glad to be rid of that 3rd world bank - they even have a- bilingual sign up asking you if you have "done a good deed today."

Is there such a thing as being allercig to liberals??? LOL