Returned Mail

Just the facts: I banked with American Express in Munich for my first three years in the Army. But when I wagon TDY in Augsburg, that branch wouldn't cash my check until they called - long distance - to verify funds in my account; and then they charged me for the call. So when I was assigned to Fort Sill I had my paycheck deposited automatically in FSNB and had my AMEX funds transferred. No problem. A year later I was transferred to State College, PA, with three kids and one on the way. Banks didn't want to do business with me. My neighbor was the manager of the local grocery and, cashed my checks for me - $25 at a time. Then I made a subtraction error in my check book and received two notices that my account was overdrawn. But the bank covered the checks and charged me $3 for each overdraft, which is better than bouncing the check. I learned a lesson: Keep an extra hundred in the bank but not in the check book balance. Twenty years later I retired and found a job with a defense contractor, which paid me bi-weekly by check, which I mailed, postage paid to FSNB. Once during my seven years I received an "Insufficient Funds" notice and a charge for the overdraft, gain covering the check. In mild panic I called, toll free, to express my concern. Two hours later a clerk called back, assuring me that the error had been found and the overdraft charge had been refunded. It was their error in depositing my check into an account with a similar number. I've been with FSNB now for 53 years and still cash my checks - $24 at a time - at the local grocery. I'm getting old now and keep an extra $1000 in the bank to qualify for free checking and prevent overdrafts. I never use an ATM. To transfer money I calla teller with an Okie accent.