Client Review on Countryside Bank

Feedback:

It's vital you read this review to protect yourself and your money by sharing my experience with Countryside and the President of the company.This past month I had a preauthorization process thru a debit card, A debit card we thought was deactivated. We asked two times prior to have it replaced. The online purchase for invalid services was not authorized, When I went into the bank to dispute it, one of the Bankers told me forms must to be submitted to their Loss and Protection department and I had to hand write a letter stating the reason for my dispute (that's right... hand write it, in front of the Banker - could she type it on the forms? Regardless, the card was suppose to be deactivated - and the charge was "pending" as of that morning - they could not stop it. I explained in detail we had requested the debit card to be replaced and no further charges to occur prior to this day. She proceeded to explain Countryside's policy, it would take a week, up to a month to resolve the dispute. I left feeling very discouraged, likely never seeing my money returned. I reaffirmed the debit card must be deactivated and replaced with a new one.Disgruntled by their policy and knowing it would very easy for them to stop the "pending" authorization, my business partner sought out to speak to the President about my frustration and unjust experience. Upon meeting the President of the company, he immediately became stand-off-ish while my partner vehemently explained our bad experience with his company, more specifically his Lakeview branch and the desperation for our money to be returned. His reaction was inappropriate and unprofessional. He simply shrugged off my partner's intentions with a high-strung, flaming, confrontational demeanor - and with a care-free dismissal simply walked away, leaving him without any questions answered, signs of hope, resolution or basic respect as his customer. He may want to consider readjusting his attitude when dealing with an (ex)customer.Surprisingly, the next morning another pre-authorization debit purchase hit my account. Frustrated! Apparantly it wasn't clearly understood by the Banker I spoke to in person the day before: "the debit card needs to be replaced, without any further credit card authorizations". Obviously my verbal request didn't work the day before. Perhaps another handwritten note might have done the trick. First thing that morning I returned to the bank to speak to the Bank Manager. I told him I have very little trust in his staff's ability to comprehend simply requests.Clearly it was yet another mistake by one of his staff. Overall it's discouraging and I asked for him place a stop on the second pending transaction. Once again I was told forms had to be submitted and it could take up to a month; it may or may not go in our favor. If it doesn't go in your favor (which is obviously a mistake on their part by not canceling the debit card) they send you a letter (better off as toilet tissue at that point) basically reading they cannot or will not reverse it. I regularly check my account, however the necessity to micromanage is laboring. We mutually agreed it best to close my account completely. Ok fine, but get this craziness. Two days later, I receive a call from the same Bank Manager, the forms I submiited must be redone and signed by my business partner, because it was his debit card that had the issue (Eventhough we were both signers on the account). As the "Bank Manager" - you think he would know this!?! He tells me he is mailing the forms.There are many other alternate baking establishments with their act together, stand by their customers requests, simply to make your life a lot easier and not put you through such lengthy and antiquated procedures. I implore you to ask how they protect you from pre-authorizations debit card transactions; their policy and procedure. Many competitive banks are eager for your business and will NOT put you thru an exhausting rigmarole. Do your research and ask questions before opening an account with Countryside bank.