Loading ...
CHEROKEE COUNTY COUNCIL VOTES TO CLOSE ACCOUNTS, COULD COST BANK $1.5 MILLION
Less than a week after a Bank of America employee in Gaffney removed American flags that lined a procession to honor a fallen Marine, the Cherokee County Council has decided to close their accounts with the company.
The flag flap, which happened along the funeral route for 20-year-old Lance Corporal Christopher Fowlkes and has since made national news, caused the council to vote 5 to 1 to withdraw county funds from any accounts held by Bank of America.
“I feel we should take a stand and deposit the money in other banks as deemed appropriate by the county administration and treasurer,” said Councilman Quay Little.
Little said that, at a minimum, that money totals more than $500,000. But he said if all officials in the county were to close their accounts, Bank of America would lose more than $1.5 million.
One eyewitness told The Palmetto Scoop Thursday that the branch manager “told a citizen who was preparing the route for a U.S. Marine killed in action in Afghanistan by placing small American flags along the roadway that the flags might upset some of her customers.”
The citizen who put up the flag was later identified as Fowlkes’ neighbor, Brenda Earls.
“I couldn’t believe, in a small town, that we would encounter something like this,” said Earls. “I was really stunned and didn’t know what to make of it, but she said it would offend some customers.”
Bank of America called the gaffe a “miscommunication” and said it was the branch manager’s misunderstanding of a company policy that caused the flags’ removal.
Photo: WYFF
[...] If you have bank accts or ccs w/BofA, we should do this! County pulls money from Bank of America over flag flap [...]
It went National!! Bank of America removes American Flags Honoring fallen Marine in Gaffney SC REMOVE YOUR MONEY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIiHA_RcGu4
“Bank of America called the gaffe a “miscommunication” and said it was the branch manager’s misunderstanding of a company policy that caused the flags’ removal.”
“gaffe”
“miscommunication”
“misunderstanding”
How ’bout just plain ignorance, stupidity, business immaturity coupled with generous doses of political correctness and personal misguided political ideology. Tell Mr. Asshat(the branch manager) to go explain that to the Marine’s family. Just before you fire him.
The person responsible for this should be fired!!!!
Then people should start transferring accounts to other banks.
That’s usually what they say when an individual possess’s struck with “pc” fever or had that belly ache
Sorry…
Thought I had deleted that last partial sentence…
“That’s usually….belly ache.”
what a complete and utter embarrassment this bank is to the memory of this fallen marine, it’s disgusting actually. What customers will the flag offend??? If they don’t like the flag, leave the country, it’s a simple as that. Tell the bank manager after she’s fired to pull her head out of her A** and get with the program. If she hate the American flag so much, LEAVE…..she’s a disgusting piece of crap and should be fired or made to apologize to the family of this marine.
If you want to bank with a bank that sole mission is to support American and its troops, I encourage you to go to usaa.com. Please take the time to research who they are and what they stand for. ALL Americans can bank with USAA FSB. USAA has been the number 1 in customer service 2 of the past three years according to Business Week and number 2 in one of those. I has the only FREE, absolutely free checking account in the nation and offers the highest yields on its savings products and the lowest credit card rates and fees in the nation. They honor America and its service women and men past and present. Show your support and switch your accounts over to a bank that has never taken a dime from the government is supported by what is arguably the strongest financial services organization in the country USAA.
I’d expect this in San Francisco, not in a small town.
hmmm… the american flag flying in the heart of AMERICA would offend somebody?? so she was worried about pissing off maybe one or two customers, so she instead decides that pissing off the family of a fallen marine and subsequently the country was a better option? man, shes a real winner…
especailly since the America Gov’t is supporting BofA with America tax dollars and American GIs and Marines are defending us…. what a piece of crap.
AS a follow up to my previous post, I urge you to google USAA comments and then do the same for BofA and you will quickly begin to understand that perhaps you are not, if you are, banking with an institution that really cares about you. USAA is a company that lives each day thinking of how they can do better for their customers it is their sole driving element of every decision made in their corporate offices, not if their large institutional stock holders are happy with their dividend, USAA is a PRIVATE company and does not manage its bottom line to line the pockets of wallstreet, it focuses how it can make the lives of those that need financial services better every second of everyday. Nothing else matters to them.
This is a ridiculous situation. I think it’s sad that we have come to a place in this country that we have to worry about “offending” people with our country’s flag. (whether this was a corporate or one employees stupid decision)
If you want to remove your money or close your credit card account for this; let me give you one more reason. (It’s the reason I closed my credit card account a long time ago.)
Bank Of America is happy to give out credit cards with no social security number required. Which means credit cards given to illegal aliens. One more reason to pull your business from Bank of America and another reason for Bank of America to CHANGE THEIR NAME. The fact that they use “America” in their name OFFENDS ME!
God bless the United States of America, this marines family and every person that defends our country!
Political Correcrtness at its worst. Bad employee or bad corporate policy? BOA obviously has left some doubt regarding how to handle issues such as this. Saw their “talking head” on Fox trying to back-pedal. Take note BOA-you may indeed operate in a global economy, but don’t forget where you came from (as my parents used to tell me) and don’t forget or ignore fine young men like this marine who make your very existence possible. I have two BOA accounts (nowhere near Gafney SC) and they will both be closed by this Friday (the soonest I can make it happen).
As a retired Veteran and a American , I became very upset at this &&*(&(& manager. She needs to be fired. I took extreme offense that she didn’t honor the fallen soldier. My only regret is that I don’t have a Bank of america to close. However I will let every American that I know to ask them to close theres and keep it going until I hear she has been fired. She offended the rest of America.
Aren’t we overlooking a couple of things in this flag flap? Does your fervent patriotism overrule everybody else’s private property rights? Does every Brenda Earles in the city or county have a right to stick whatever symbol or sign they like on your private property without permission? Shouldn’t she, at the very least, explained what she was doing and asked permission before she just stuck her preferred symbol of patriotism and support for the Fowlkes’ family on somebody’s private property?
It seems to me that the sword of ‘political correctness’ cuts both ways in this case.
The only people being offended by this flag appearing are the japanese owners of the Bank of America. The Bank has been owned since the mid 1980’s by a Japanese Banking conglomerate. It’s not America’s money, it’s japan’s.
bob g. ingersoll, those property rights you hold so dear are upheld by the United States of America which is represented by the American flag. There is nothing political in planting one anywhere in the US because it is factual representation.
Furthermore, please stop acting like BofA or their employee or customers are victims here because they are not.
RIP Lance Corporal Christopher Fowlkes
#14 Bob,
If you’d been paying attention, by now you’d realize that the flags were on PUBLIC property along the curb (every municipality has a 12″ easement from the curb, even on property titled to a private entity), so no permission was required. Not to mention, as has been posted by others with firsthand knowledge of the situation, that she knew full well what was going on. This woman had an agenda and MASSIVELY miscalculated the fallout from her actions.
Now I see who would be offended…
Ummmm… I can see where people like this would be upset.
You people protesting the actions of BofA can take your “fervent patriotism” and your ” preferred symbol or sign” and stop swinging your “political correctness sword.”
Unbelievable. STOP IT!!! Brenda Earles, before you make a patriot of yourself and show that you actually cared for this Marine you knew. At least, you have a heart, and more importantly you have a brain and know how to use both.
As if you would need another reason to close your BOA accounts – this is the same bank that refused to cash a check for a customer who had 2 artificial hands and couldn’t give them a fingerprint. Ah yes, then there was the fact that they gave illegal immigrants credit cards without having a SS #. If you or I would have done this – how far do you think we would get. BTW -we tried to deposit a cashier’s check into my son’s business account and you should have seen the rigamaroo we had to go thru. Oh yes, we had to be fingerprinted also. If BOA doesn’t love our country, don’t accept the bailout. Respect our fallen heroes. God Bless America!!!!
First I don’t believe any BoA is private property, I am pretty sure it has our tax money is supporting it, that seems to make it our property. Secondly, if you are offended by the symbol of our country, you have the right to leave! As my son told me once, “at least in the US I have the right…”, if it weren’t for this fallen AMERICAN, and those like him you would not have the right! Lastly, anyone has the right not to see our flag, would you like a list of places you are free to go to?
Amazing. I sent the clip to this article to all my Marine friends. I pulled out of Bank of America 5 years ago. Never regret it a moment. I bank with Navy Federal and USAA. So does my entire family.
I understand that the lady placing flags probably should have checked with the businesses out of common respect. You are right that the sword cuts both ways, however, we are talking about two things that are very special to this country. 1) The American Flag. It has been posted and carried with honor throughout our history. 2) The American Soldier who has the responsibility to post this flag, carry this flag, respect this flag, defend this flag, and eventually rests covered by this flag.
I am an American Soldier. I chose to carry this flag, I will defend this flag and all the liberties it stands for. Even those liberties I may disagree with. You see, this flag stands as a symbol that you may be offended, may offend, may speak out, and most of all, live free. All most of us soldiers request is that you let this flag fly everywhere no matter where, so that we know our blood was spilled for all the right reasons.
The young Marine that gave his life for his country and her flag deserves at least that much. Sorry Bank Of America, you’ll just have to let some people be offended by this gesture. Its thier right as well. BTW…GOD BLESS THE USA…I’m sure that may offend too. freedom of speech.
The flag might upset some of their customers? Have you seen the Bank of America logo?
I’m a recent military retiree with 30 years service under my belt. I just closed my BOA credit card account. The service rep tried telling me about all the good things BOA does for vets. It’s not good enough. I’ve had it with the
American flag being mis-treated because someone might be offended by the sight of it. If BOA doesn’t fire that branch manager, they are even worse than I thought.
Yep, let’s put a major bank out of business, and people out of work because of one person’s mistake. Is that what all you short-sighted people want? How about a call for discipline of the individual that caused the problem? One of our country’s problems is that everyone want someone else to take the blame, not the person or entity responsible. Knee-jerk reactions cause more damage than good.
I have never had any use for B of A. This just completely ends any possibility of my ever setting foot in any of their branches. I think that Bank of America should be renamed Bank of Obama!!!!
I’m really getting tired of all the political correctness that has overtaken this country. For goodness sakes, this is America and there are certain inalienable freedoms we all have the right to practice. We are talking about our country’s flag. We are talking about honoring a fallen hero-one who fights to the death for our country without question. If I had an account with this bank I guarantee you I would close it. Remember, this is just a small incident in the greater scheme of things to come. Wake up people-we need to make sure that the citizens/patriots/VOTERS/taxpayers are not over-run by big government or beurocrats or any and all of Washington in general that ignore the people that pay for their extravagant lifestyles-sometimes to the point of paying with their lives!
Sorry-I got too aggrivated to really make my point-which is we are talking about our country’s flag-OUR FLAG-and if it offends someone, well that’s just too bad, bucko! We as a united country may be on the wane, but as of today this IS still America…..
Anyone actually defending the action of the bank employee and BofA in any way, is just as much a scumbucket as BofA is. There’s absolutely no excuse that the American flag should be removed from *ANY* place it’s put…especially if it’s only temporary! Screw you, you who are trying to defend this wrongdoing! It’s a$$es like you who need to leave this country and live where your socialism will be accepted and keep your sorry a$$ happy, because apparently you’re not happy living here in America!
Anyone who would be offended at seeing a flag outside the business would surely be offended by their logo. Hello! Although it is not an exact replica of the US flag, BoA’s artwork that is clearly representative of the US flag. Besides, what is offensive about our nation’s flag? It’s red, white, and blue with stars and stripes on it. Name one “offensive” thing about it.
I left Bank of America a long time ago. I had one of their military banking accounts. They wouldn’t let me take care of business at my local branch because it wasn’t one of their military branches–even though it’s located right outside a major military installation. The nearest branch that handled accounts for military folks is 70 miles away from here. I tried to remedy a problem through their website and the person on the other end got snippy with me. I took my funds and moved them to USAA. I haven’t had a banking problem since.
It sounds like BoA’s policy is to remove signage and other displays from their property if not sent to them from their district offices. This appears to be an isolated incident caused by one idiot, and not company policy.
Everyone on active duty in the US Army is required to have a credit card for duty-related official expenses. The last time I was activated, I was told that some fee would be paid from our travel expenses, and to let Army Finance pay for it. Well, that turned out to be very bad instruction, and the card racked up over $100 in penalties and late fees because DFAS didn’t pay BoA in a timely manner. Finally, BoA called me at my house about the charges, and when I explained the situation, they wiped the slate clean without even having to do any paperwork.
I see no malice from BoA of an organization; onlyt from this one pig-headed manager who hates her country.
I second the recommendation of banking with USAA.
And WHO passed out the bailout $$$?
The branch manager at this BoA location will NOT be fired under any circumstances. She is black and she will scream “racism” if she gets so much as a reprimand. Forget firing the manager. She has ACORN and her race on her side.
I am a retired, disabled Marine, Vietnam era. I have my accounts with Bank of America and I’m saddened by the actions of this particular branch in Gaffney. Enough with company policies, just do the right thing!
A note to bob g. ingersoll…you are either and idiot or an imbicil…which one are you? You deserve the right to be escorted out of this country along with 12 million illegal aliens who do not have the right to live here. I’ll bet my sweet a** you never served one minute in the military. You are an ungrateful SOB who does not deserve to live in the country where your freedom has been provided by those who have fallen like this young Lance Corporal…….what a flaming jack*** you are !!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to the Fowlkes Family. God Bless You…. I live in Coastal Georgia now but raised in Gaffney. Trying to get the word out to everyone here about this. Friends in Lexington, SC, tell me that BOA branches in that area do NOT fly the flag either. Let’s all be thankful this incident has brought the truth to the surface about BOA. I am staying with my Credit Union!
” Posted by Eneils Bailey on 09/23/09 at 11:30 am
Now I see who would be offended…
Ummmm… I can see where people like this would be upset.
You people protesting the actions of BofA can take your “fervent patriotism” and your ” preferred symbol or sign” and stop swinging your “political correctness sword.”
Unbelievable. STOP IT!!! Brenda Earles, before you make a patriot of yourself and show that you actually cared for this Marine you knew. At least, you have a heart, and more importantly you have a brain and know how to use both.”
I’ve just begun to protest the actions of that BoA… BoA stand for Bank of AMERICA?!?!? If they find out flag so very offensive then they need to change their name. So let’s set the record straight here Eneils… the flags were NOT on BoA property – they were on a county government owned easement that is technically public property and as such the BoA employee did NOT have the right to remove those flags based on property rights. Secondly – to paraphrase a quote from the movie 300 THIS IS AMERICA! Take some freaking pride in your country. These flags were put into place not as a political statement, not for some government official but for a fallen soldier, a soldier who gave his life to help protect the rights of our people. And thirdly, off the topic at hand but dealing with BoA they have really crappy customer service and it seems like their policies and actions are designed to screw over the customer.
To get right down to basics here if one is offended by the American flag and one lives here in America then it is time and then some for you to move your sorry butt OUT of the country… if you don’t like it, leave.
I wonder how many realize the rich history and culture that one finds in the beginning of this country and in SC. The flag that many in this state fought and died for to make this country and not to mention part of the foundation of this nation. No flag at the time but a bunch of rebels that wanted freedom and as the war was won the nation grew and a flag had some stars on it. Now it contains 50 and we need to be united and respect all that have died trying to protect that very ideology that saw them create this nation with faults but still better than any other. That soldier believed in what he volunteered for and he paid the price with his life. He was honored and flags were placed along the route to his final place. No one has the right to deny any soldier his final due. We put policies in place as we do politicians and if you don’t like it vote it out whether it is a bank or a politician. I eagerly wait for 2010 to start my change…….
I would like to know if indeed the tales of race and religion are true regarding the person responsible for the “fiasco” created by removing the flags at BOA. If true, then perhaps the parents of this soldier should file a reverse discrimination suit and sue the manager. Racism is not only a white mans hang-up but is found everywhere amongst many. We are a nation of many laws and they apply to all.
Another thought, the bailout assisted in the stabilization of the whole economy. B Of A absorbed Lehman avoiding that collapse as well. You should be thankful because it could very well have been a complete collapse of the financial
markets. I’m sure the money that the bulk of you folks withdraw will hardly put any kind of a dent in the bottom
line. The symbolism of it is lost in the absurdity.
WHY ISN’T PRESIDENT OBUMMER SPEAKING OUT ON THIS DISGRACE TO OUR FLAG? IS IT BECAUSE HE REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT HIMSELF BEFORE HE HAD TO BE “TOLD”?
Because Glenda my right wing whack job it is a non-issue. One employee makes a mistake and the FOX news lemmings come out of the bunkers ready for war. I guess with nothing else to hope for this is big for them. Thankfully, the numbers are small and most have evolved…
The best way to punish BofA is to pull your money out of the bank. Spread the word to everyone you know. Send out emails, facebook, etc. Hit them where it hurts!!!
FRED, TRY TELLING THE PARENTS OF THE MARINE THAT GAVE HIS LIFE FOR YOU AND I IT IS A NON-ISSUE. WITHOUT FOX NEWS WE WOULD NOT EVEN KNOW WHAT GOES ON IN OUR OWN COUNTRY..
The Bank manager was right. It was their policy NOT to display ANY flag. It was just her belligerent attitude that escalated the situation.
For Fred and the few that agree with him and I do mean few. You need to be more objective with your words and at least watch Fox news, which I suspect you do since you know so much about the TOP cable news network. You find the things on said news that is not posted on other networks. I question why? we as a people have freedom of the press and some don’t want you or I to know the true scope of things and it appears that you agree with those that suppress the truth, therefore I also suspect and with good reason you are a bona fide LIBERAL and that is fine as you post your ramblings that have no merit or objectivity. Read it all and think before everything is nationalized and none of us are allowed to be angered over anything and the press becomes more like that of Venezuela or Cuba and a few other countries. Give that soldier his just dues and the error made regarding his final trip down his hometown streets. We, you and I and the rest are now investors in the auto industry, Banks, not to mention owned by China to the amount of Trillions. Consequences for actions and the person who made the error needs to have a consequence for what he/she did regarding their ignorance with company policy?????? Did you burn the flag ? or was that another of your ramblings.
Diana, only the confederate one went up in smoke last night……Listen, the comment was a metaphor……But, it was funny to see all the wingnuts come out of the wood work and most were probably driving around looking for me burning a flag….
“The Bank manager was right. It was their policy NOT to display ANY flag. It was just her belligerent attitude that escalated the situation.”
The Bank Manager was WRONG! The flags were NOT on BoA property so their internal policies do not apply. The flags were on the county government-owned easement, again NOT BoA property. Perhaps the bank management should have been informed prior to the placement of the flags – if indeed they did not know which this occurring in a small town I doubt that they would not have known what the flags were for – but at the same time B0A was not displaying the flags and the flags were not on their property but adjacent to their property.
First, I wish to extend my sincere sympathy to the family of Lance Corporal Fowlkes family, friends and loved ones. He certainly made the ultimate sacrifice for America. God rest his soul. As it relates to Bank of America and their Manager refusing the American Flag to be placed in front of the building, she should be so ashamed of herself and her actions for demeaning the life of an American soldier. How dare she. Policy or no policy, it was not a decision for her to make. It doesn’t take a brilliant person to know there is a public right of way in front of homes, businesses, schools, etc. Had a utility company walked in front of that BOA building and placed an orange flag there, or flags, would she have run out and gathered them up and told them they were not allowed to put their flags there? I hardly think so. My hope is she lives in Gaffney and must face the residents of that City regularly while everyone living there knows how she offended our country, the best country in the world, but even more, she denied decency to a soldier slain defending this great country, America!! Obama talks about America showing arrogance???????? He needs to meet the infamous Bank of America Brance Manager!!
Fred, back to the reason for this forum….I salute the efforts of this fallen soldier and the flag he represents. Let’s get back to the discussion here. Bottom line, the manager obviously lost all respect and dignity. So sad. Maybe her momma never taught her how to behave and have some integrity. Some things are worth standing for and pulling accounts says we’re not taking this absurd political corrctness over the “Right thing” anymore. At one time I thought I might like to move my account to BOA, not now- not ever!
shame on bao and mgr…so sad AMERICA is in the name of boa…you and your manager are a disgrace in this great county…condolences to the Fowlkers family in this time of mourning, many of us will always be greatful to your son and all the military does EVERY DAY to keep us all safe…even idiot fred!!!
I’m surprised people didn’t take their money out when the bailout happened. Everyone had to have known they were in bed with the government then. This is not the manager, it is BOA policy. Other countries have more money deposited than Americans do. We are a poor nation now.
I forgot to thank that county for standing up for what is right. THANK YOU!
Ooh Rah for the County for doing what is right!
Semper Fi for the Family of this wonderful American Hero.
WE closed all of our accounts, including the money market funds – and a local back here in town is very happy now with the very big deposit they got.
28 Years Career Army Retired, and Grandfather of an Active Duty Marine
Went to a local credit union that was more then happy to fly the flag 24hours a day 7days a week.
[...] the incident, the Cherokee County Council voted to remove at least $500,000 worth of public accounts from the bank. The story has received national attention [...]
[...] on The Palmetto Scoop, Bank of America has had countless accounts closed, including those of the Cherokee County government, which could total up to $1.5 [...]
As clearly pointed out in past 3 weeks on two bank robbery websites; http://www.bank211s-mike.blogspot.com and http://www.scorpio-security.com, Boa are blatant liars, ex-employees have stated in black & white BOA always prohibited fly our American Flag flag and even employees wearing quarter inch lapel pins, and as of 10-6-09 there is no American Flag flying on naked BOA flag poles in the Los Angeles area and got photos to prove it.
God Help America