Consumer complaint received 2024-03-26
Product: Checking or savings account — Savings account
Issue: Managing an account — Problem accessing account
Company: BANK OF AMERICA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION ()

BofA is not designed to service clients living full time in XXXX. As a result, simple banking is difficult - XXXX transfers, blocked accounts, hours of attempts to resolve with customer service, etc - I've attached a summary of events that eventually led me to their executive offices. It was suggested if problems continue to bypass customer service and go directly to them ( XXXX named Customer Client ESCALATIONS ) Events occuring after the attached summary include, once again, bank 's inconsistent recognition of my XXXX security key rendering me helpless to transfer money and once again being blocked from my account because of " too many attempts '' I spoke with two separate persons in the " escalations '' services. I then learned that although I have " preferred customer '' service which entitles me to no service charge, there was an inflated FX fee which represented a hefty loss of funds for me ( XXXX XXXX ). 

I sought other options ( none suggested by BofA ), learning an intermediary fund management could receive my dollars into their USD account and then transfer my money at a significantly lesser rate to my XXXX  bank. BofA did suggest they could send me a USD check by snail mail to my XXXX address. Offering a registered more secure mailing was not an option. 

I then sent an email ( also attached ) suggesting two solutions. Which solution I chose would be based on BofA replies and the best exchange rate for me.No reply until several days later asking how they could help. I pointed out I wrote them my suggestions. I was told she could not confirm I was exempt from a transfer fee of dollars to another dollar account. Since that was the reason I chose BofA, I contined to prod and she then " did some research '' and agreed my preferred status waved any charges. We confirmed the call was being recorded and thus there was documentation I would incur no fees. She reconfirmed their policy when mailing a check was regular mail only, thus no recourse if the check were lost or never arrived. She also advised me that funds in excess of XXXX required a notarized request. " You never told me that on our previous phone call '', I said. " well, I am telling you now '' was her reply. She further suggested that I try to transfer with my XXXX XXXX and if there were a problem to call them and they would help. It was then I completely " lost it ''. " that's where I am now, why are you sending me back to starting all over so I can get your " help ''. 

You may publish this to alert people BofA is not designed for those who live full time abroad. Their advertising is duplicitous. I have no confidence in their ethics and now wonder if I've been a victim of their 'junk fees '' and other wrongdoings ... ..I 'll never know because I won't pursue this possibility I do not expect you to resolve my problem or change their comportment, but merely to document their robotized behavior and the hopelessness of dealing with them. Or as one customer service rep told me '' Your problem is beyond my expertise, but it was lovely speaking with you today and thank you for being a valued customer ''