Iranian-Americans, Iranian Students, and Bank of America - How BofA Discriminates Against a Group of People + A Zelle VM

I worked in two college towns in my tenure at Bank of America, and one of my greatest joys was meeting all the new international students each semester. Students from all over the world would attend school in my hometowns and new friends were made. Iranian students were always regulars in my banks. Helping them as a teller all the way up to manager, I noticed Bank of America started treating this great clients, who had excellent deposit histories, and accounts with very few issues really harshly.

  Account openings became epic, lasting over two hours, while I had to call a secret dept. within Bank of America to get "Approval" to open accounts for people with valid IDs. Random freezings and closings of their accounts, leading to times where money was not available and bills had to be paid. 

 How can a bank treat a group of people so bad? I worked there 13 years, and I don't even know. This podcast is a really serious one, spurred by a recent Twitter post of a letter from the NIAC (National Iranian American Council)

 https://www.niacouncil.org/niac-letter-ofac-iranian-american-bank-account-closures/#ofacletter 

I discuss my history in helping Iranian Americans and Iranian Students both as a teller and seller,  what I saw transpire with BofA, and how I felt as a banker who had no control over their treatment, and ultimately because of the documents I had to sign to get an account open, theoretically a person who can get fired for simply opening the account because all my fingerprints were one it. 

Even someone who can't relate or who has a view about people emigrating from another country or coming to school from another country that I don't agree with should listen to this, because the question about citizenship and "DUAL" citizenship is being asked of every client, and if you are non-compliant in responding, you will be treated how these awesome Iranian Americans were treated. No matter your politics, you have to worry about this scary treatment from BofA.

Reach out to NIAC if you have any people who had similar treatment.

Plus, not to underscore, but we have a voicemail call about a Zelle horror story from Olivia.

It's a long pod, but one full of information and frustration. Please enjoy!

MY PATREON Page! 

For as little as $1, you can help James Baca in his fight against big banks.

http://www.patreon.com/whyyourbanksucks

Donate to Why Your Bank Sucks on Cash App $TheBankerDude  

Sponsors - [email protected]  - Advertise your business with a growing, cutting edge podcast.

575-322-4127 is our voicemail line to share your bad banking experience. 3 min limit.

 Our website www.whyyourbanksucks.com for more info on our podcast, store, sponsorship info and much more!

Visit our Twitter Page @bankscrewedus - Running commentary with BofA clients and VIGILANTE CUSTOMER SERVICE

& Host James B on Twitter @jamesbisright. 

---

Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thenotoriousbanker/support