Thread: Resident Denied Bank Account Without Photo ID: BOA

Resident Denied Bank Account Without Photo ID

Feb 19, 2007 07:39 PM







Bank of America's controversial new policy to offer credit cards to customers without social security numbers has sparked debate across the Midstate, prompting an investigation.

Representative Marsh Blackburn from Tennessee called for an investigation for the policy. The debate is also affecting families in the Midstate who have social security numbers.

When Beth Towery's son decided to join the National Guard, his first marching orders included getting a checking account. Towery said he could not open the account because he did not have a photo ID.

When news of Bank of America's new plan to offer credit cards to those with no social security card came out, it didn't sit so well with Towery.

"It's a slap in the face to those of us that do the right thing, or try to do the right thing," Towery said.

Hispanic business owner Diana Holland sees the issue through a different lens. She sees a community reliant on cash, vulnerable to robberies, looking for a safer alternative.

"They are here to live, go to work, send their kids to school, buy groceries," Holland said. "They're giving tools to assimilate into this community until maybe their situation is resolved."

Experts said Bank of America is tapping into a market of millions of potential customers. Opponents said they're tapping through very shaky ground that could increase pitfalls like identity theft and money laundering.

"I have a bad feeling when we went in with so much documentation, and couldn't open a simple direct deposit checking account and yet they're willing to let undocumented immigrants with no social security numbers have credit cards," Towery said.

Bank of America said the program is not targeted at illegal immigrants. They also said they have no plans right now to grow the pilot program nationwide.

The pilot program is currently in 51 Bank of America branches all in the Los Angeles area.

In response, the National Illegal Immigration Boycott Coalition, which includes more than 100 organizations, is now boycotting of Bank of America.


http://www.newschannel5.com/Global/story.asp?S=6110186

Hispanic business owner Diana Holland sees the issue through a different lens. She sees a community reliant on cash, vulnerable to robberies, looking for a safer alternative.

An ILLEGAL ECONOMY HAS NO BUSINESS IN AMERICA MS.HOLLAND!

Originally Posted by CCUSA

Hispanic business owner Diana Holland sees the issue through a different lens. She sees a community reliant on cash, vulnerable to robberies, looking for a safer alternative.

An ILLEGAL ECONOMY HAS NO BUSINESS IN AMERICA MS.HOLLAND!

wow.... such common sense astounds me

Bank of America said the program is not targeted at illegal immigrants.

Do they think we're stupid?

They need to be applying for a credit card in their own country.