Bank restricting our access after discharge

[peppymom]

We had a 1200.00 overdraft In our discharge. The bank still lists the balance on our online banking. We cannot do any transfers through online banking. They also won't let us use the visa debit card.They told DH he can open another account to restore those functions.This is a credit union and DH still wants to keep the account open.Do we have any recourse?

[tobee43]

well, when you think about it, can you really blame them. they just wrote off 1200 dollars and now you're expecting your account to go back to square one. usually, banks, credit unions and close accounts at will, so you may be better looking around for another credit union or go in and see if something can be worked out by opening another account.

best of luck!

[Bell30656]

Your only recourse is to change banks. As far as the bank or in this case credit union sees it, they got screwed. You made them a promise, then used the bankruptcy code to not pay them. What would you do if the situation were reversed?

[tobee43]

Your only recourse is to change banks. As far as the bank or in this case credit union sees it, they got screwed. You made them a promise, then used the bankruptcy code to not pay them. What would you do if the situation were reversed?

hey Belle! long time no C! hope things are flushing well with you. (just had to do it! )

[peppymom]

Thanks for the replies.I really do not know what I expected.Bankruptcy is a legal procedure to clear debts. We already suffer with it on our credit reports for 10 years. Why should banks punish us for doing something legal.? Guess Discrimination is valid for the financially challenged- LOL.

[Bell30656]

Peppymom, as I said you legally screwed the bank or in this case credit union out of their money. They suffered because they lost the money. No amount of reporting on your credit report will get that money back now. Don't think that I'm being judgmental, I did it too. A credit union is the steward of other people's money, it's members. They aren't punishing you. That account cost them money. Often credit unions close every account that you had with them and refuse to let you have another account. Credit unions have cross-collateralization agreements for most of their accounts giving them the right to take money from one account if you default on another.

Tobee43, I've been very busy these days. Life after Divorce & Bankruptcy.

[tobee43]

hope that "good" busy Belle.

peppy as Belle points out, really that is exactly the banks view of the situation. i know it's hard, but we changed banks and also credit unions. so, that may be the only way to re-establish yourself.

[lorelei]

Is it difficult to get a new checking account soon after filing for bankruptcy?

[pamkev]

I have a question about a bank account. We have a loan with the same bank we have our checking account with the loan is current and we have never been behind with them.The loan is our home equity loan and plan on keeping that loan current we have never been behind they take the money right out of the account will they close that account (checking) which means we will not be able to use our debit card. Our paychecks our direct deposit and no options of getting a paper check due to job policy. Should we get another checking account now at a different bank and start having direct deposits there and drawing out enough to cover the auto debit at our current bank. We have not filed yet. Hope this makes sense Pam

[tobee43]

pam, that is exactly what we did...prior to filing we opened up two new accounts. one in a "regular" local bank (NO BIG BANK) and one with a local statewide credit union. we had our auto deposits, one put in each account so they were FREE accounts.

we had absolutely no problems whatsover when we filed. the new banks never blinked and after the bk we closed all the others. it worked out well since 4 years later we have great relationships with both banks. no problems with getting debit or credit cards from either all those we opted OUT of the credit cards offers.

[jst4f]

On advice of legal council we also closed any checking and savings account where we had loans or credit cards. We opened new accounts at banks where we had never done business before. While they were listed in the BK, they did not lose any money and kept the accounts open and functioning. It we smooth.

[peppymom]

I do have another bank where an overdraft was included in the Ch 7. They also still list the balance on my online banking. They have not restricted any access. I even got and use a Visa debit card after the Ch 7. So it must vary from bank to bank.

[Bell30656]

It does vary. However, you said it was a credit union. Credit Unions are particularly hard because the money is technically the members, not stockholders. Sometimes a CU is your friend, other times it isn't.

[goturtlego]

Hmmm.. we bank with Suntrust and have our vehicle loan with them. We are current and plan to reaffirm the loan...should I switch to another bank? Wasn't sure if they would freeze our account during the process since our loan is through them...

[tobee43]

i would not close the account, but, i would open something with ie; Center State Bank...they are very comsumer friendly.