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Webster Bank

Webster Bank review: Aware of this bank! 38

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12:00 am EST
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My wife and I opened an account at this bank a couple of weeks ago. We reviewed the banks funds availability and felt we had everything down pretty well. Boy were we wrong! We made a deposit through the ATM machine. The receipt showed the amount which became available and we took the bank at it’s word via the receipt. Well apparently the bank changed its decision once it processed the deposit and made the funds available. However, they never notified us. Because of this change, the bank considered all of the transactions we made to overdrafts and charged us a total of $120.00. Because of these charges our bank was depleted under the balance sufficient to pay several other outstanding transactions and we were charged an additional fee of $150.00. A total of $270.00 in just two days! I immediately deposited money to the bank to cover what we owed and maintain the account. In addition, I contacted Joyce Frac with whom we had opened the account. To my dismay she only offered to refund us a measly $60.00. I felt that since the bank had changed the availability of the funds without notification they should refund all of the fees but they refuse to do so. So, I’d like to post this issue on CompaintsBoard.com in order to make others aware of this bank so they can chose a different bank.

Webster Bank, 359 Queen Street, Southington CT 06489

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38 comments
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Greg Heienken
Suffield, US
Aug 29, 2023 4:10 pm EDT

15 accounts only 5 shows

bogus 2-point verification process

does not tell me when loans are due.

not friendly system

4 weeks I still can't see all of my accounts.

my profile is wrong they cannot change.

Unmeaning account numbers and company codes

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Kerne
Massapequa, GB
May 26, 2022 2:20 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Cut up my debit then I’m closing my account you just lost a customer Webster bank misleading people you suck can’t even get ur story straight I’m done

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aft in yonkers
Yonkers, US
Dec 28, 2011 2:14 pm EST
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

I opened a free checking account with this bank after my old one started charging after 6 months they hit me with a overdraft fee for a monthly account charge totally free checking they called it no notification no agreement signed by me to alter the contract this is nothing less than larceny.I withdrew my remaining funds they never closed my account and for the next two months charged me a fee plus overdraft and a 5 dollar daily fee I received a notice that they closed my account and reported it as a bad debt. when I went to the branch they were very rude and said it was my fault for not monitoring my account you know the one that was supposed to be closed they were not going to help me and demanded there fee's these people seriously need to go out of business or move to wall street!

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dann4
, US
May 14, 2013 11:54 am EDT

I worked on a refi for my in-laws in December 2012-February 2013. It not only took forever to close, but we kept getting more paperwork to sign after the closing. The WORST part is that the rep, Kimberly Lynch, just happened to "forget" to tell us that military (active or retired) get $500 back at loan closing. I found out a week or so after the closing while looking at Webster's website for an answer to a question I had. When I asked her about that, she said she simply forgot to ask during the assessment since she was talking with me and not them and that they won't make good on the money back! Oh, OK-no problem. The bank withheld $500 from a couple of seniors, one of which is going through cancer treatment-no problem that you didn't do your job! BIG thanks for serving our country! Now the loan was sold to Fannie Mae a week before the first payment was to begin. Webster Bank is not to be trusted.

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PatBatemanIV
, US
Sep 30, 2016 11:19 am EDT

Just got hit with $407 in overdraft fees. I use my card maybe twice a day, have a couple auto withdrawals for bills etc and this month had 7 items post on the same day which caused my overdraft to kick in. (I kept $200 in a savings account for overdraft protection to dip into in case I goof). It is as if keep charges pending and spool them up until balance would go into the negatives, then start posting and begin the fee train rolling. After my account somehow went to the negative, I had TWELVE items post that day which caused all sorts of overdrafts. Way too coincidental, that 12 different places would post the charges the same day. While just checking my statement, I have (2) of the $37 charges even while I had plenty of money in the account.

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agwells33
hartford, US
Jun 20, 2010 9:45 pm EDT

Stop complaining people.. if you do not know how to balance your check book then you should not even have an account. If you dont have enough money then dont use your debit card.. and finally, the bank is a business- why SHOULD it be free for you to use them?

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swish32
, US
Jun 29, 2010 12:01 pm EDT

Watch this bank for bait and switch! They quote a deposit rate on the phone and refuse to honor it at the branch. Can open the account - but at a much less attractive rate.

Ask to have the problem escalated, and the manager will not return the call despite multiple promises from the staff.

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J bear
Eastchester, US
Feb 07, 2015 9:17 am EST

i filed chapter 13 in the southern district of New York in august 2012 and Webster bank thinks that they are about the law by violating a court order to release me from all accounts that was named in the filings. When you or you lawyer call they state that you have to go to the branch and NOBODY has a clue what to do but say you need to have the bank served by a process server. If you can stay clear from this bank do so at all possible they suck

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Melissa203
Norwalk, US
Nov 07, 2014 9:10 am EST

I opened a checking account with Webster in the middle of October. November 3rd I deposited a check that came back NFS. OK so on November 4th I went into the branch to make a cash deposit of $1850.00. I was told my account was frozen and scheduled to close. HUH? What? and WHY? I have a rent check that has been sent out already. This is going to bounce and I will have fees from my landlord I will need to pay not only that but how will that look, my rent check bounces? This was in the Bridgeport, CT office on Main St. The teller shrugged her shoulders and gave me a 1800 # to call. So I sat in my car for over an hour on the phone for them to tell me there is nothing they can do my account is scheduled to close. Ok, so a check I deposited was NFS, with other banks the check is returned and there is a fee. They don't close your account out! Always wondered why Webster Bank's parking lot was always empty?!?! Well I guess now I know why they have no customers. They close their accounts out with out even notifying them. I'm glad they scheduled to close my account out. Why should I give a bank my business if they couldn't even call me to let me know this happened and they are closing my account. Instead they just did it and waited for me to do banking to find out. Stay away from WEBSTER BANK.

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RedYaz
Stamford, US
Aug 12, 2014 11:22 am EDT

Webster Bank is fairly terrible.. They have arbitrary fees... I needed to terminate a CD early, because I have a mortgage, heloc, and savings accounts with them, they reduced their fee to 25$. But got a new teller today, who didn't see the value that I bring to the bank, so he charged me the full fee for CD termination. Thanks for being consistent. You have lost another customer. As soon as I refi, my mortgage, I am done with you webster..

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kathy vitale
meriden, US
Mar 07, 2009 11:03 pm EST

I have been charged over $500.00 in 1 month for overdraft fees. I had my checking account protected with a joint account and they still charged me $35.00. They still wont take off the charges. I dont know what to do. I had $1000.00 in the other account to cover any charges. I dont understand. I dont know who to call. I f anyone can help please let me know.

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dann4
, US
Oct 21, 2013 12:53 pm EDT

Resolved-This is NOT a complaint. It's a follow-up to a previous complaint and a thank you. I believe in giving positive feedback especially after giving any negative! I couldn't find a place on the website to do this, so here's an update. As an update to my previous Webster Bank Complaint that they did not give my Father in Law a $500 military discount at his mortgage closing, I am happy to report that Webster Bank responded and gave my Father in Law his $500 toward closing that he would have gotten had the rep asked him if he were military during time of application. As his daughter in law and USO-DOD entertainer (who was involved with this refi), I want to thank Webster Bank for doing the right thing for him as a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. This was facilitated through Patricia in Consumer Relations of the President’s Office. THANK YOU very much from the bottom of our hearts. DA

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ItsMeMe
Hartford, US
Jul 12, 2012 7:54 am EDT

Yes you're right Webster Bank IS horrible. I had over drafted my checking account and was getting ready to pay the overdraft to make my account active again. Instead they took money out of my savings account to pay it off without my permission and told me I could resume my account but they closed it without notifying first. I am going to set up a twitter account just for the purpose of letting people know how HORRIBLE Webster Bank is. That's why Bank of America will always be #1 preferred. And it is also why they are only used for 2nd choices. WEBSTER BANK YOU SUCK AND I HOPE YOU LOSE ALL KINDS OF BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS!

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Wombat319
Lakeland, US
Jun 13, 2012 4:52 am EDT

They did the same thing to me...I even put in writing to close the account, and they claimed they never got the letter. When I told them the address I sent it to, they then claimed that you can't send it to a branch, you have to send it to the main bank! Ridiculous! In addition, despite making an ATM deposit on a Friday, they charged me for every check I wrote out over the weekend ($37 EACH!) even though the ATM said what the available funds were. BEWARE!

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klar
East Haven, US
Jan 13, 2012 1:05 am EST

I strongly agree with many of the complaints. I will deposit my check that will cover my bills, but I deposit it on Friday, and if the check comes in on the following Tuesday, they hit me with an insufficient funds charge, yet they have my money. i am paying on my own money. I unfortunately use the East Haven Branch. They are so unfriendly, don't smile and hi, please and thank you are completely foreign language to them. Over the summer i received a notice that my address on my account was changed. I never asked for my account to be changed. Someone with the same name changed her address and an incompetent teller at the Vernon, Ct branch, that didn't verify her work, changed the wrong name, so that meant on the phone for the weekend trying to work with security to let them know in case someone tried to use this account. That meant, I had no money for the weekend, because they froze the account and thanks to the incompetent teller, I had to cancel all plans. Not once did Webster bank in Vernon or anywhere, send an apology because the teller couldn't read. They never even verified that it was changed, they sent me a notice saying it was already changed. They notified me after the fact. Wow, what a bank. That is why I am in the process of looking for a Credit Union. They do care. I used to be in a Credit Union in another State and at least they were fair and at least acknowledged your presence when in the bank.

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augustus1343
Arkansas City, US
Sep 06, 2011 2:28 am EDT

It seems most people here complain because they have tight finances. Most of the overdraft issues could be avoided by carrying a checkbook and reconciling your balance daily. Track whenever you write a check or buy something, and you'll always know how much funds are available.

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kpr61
Brockton, US
Jun 15, 2011 5:12 pm EDT

Today I needed a simple Atm card for my wife as it was expired and we did not get a new one so I called them went through the prompts and before I could finish talking to a robot named Ann Marie she had to speak to my wife because she was requesting the card which I understood so as I am sitting in a chair I can see my wife is getting the the third degree she was asked a last deposit which she provided the name of the deposit and also provided a 2.79 debit purchase from a store an hour earlier should have been enough after giving a full social home address then they asked our Webster account number they heard me talking in the room and told my wife a voice was providing her details on the account and the atm request would be denied then we spoke to a robot manager named Janice I got on the phone my wife and I fuming by now and Janice was a waste of air I told this ### that we have been account holder through the many takeovers and buyout since 1979 before we we married
still nowhere I then demanded a corporate number and Spoke to a so called manager Ryan who sounded about 15 years old he was defending the other two ###s still nowhere NOW not to mention as many of the above posters have done the fees, first the scam they have of you MUST use the debit card ten times in a bill cycle or be charged a 8.95 a month robbery these banks get bailed out yet still squeeze insane fees out of its loyal customers and like many of my fellow posters on this site the overdaft fees when they post transactions and put them in an order so they can clear a large amount and overdraft many small ones or my favorite have a deposit go in, your balance on line like I do tells you you are ok then when you go on the next day the order of transaction is reversed and items are overdrafted and you get whacked with the 35 charges and when you call the bank and speak to them they deny this and do not want to reverse the fees because it is the fault of the customer(this why they have a damn class action suit against them) for this BS way they charge those fees and it is for exactly what all us on this site have complained about we have been ready to dump this bank just after the 8.95 month charge took place BUT after be accused of a scam by having an ATM in my wifes name sent to the home address which as been the same for over 20 years in the same name We are done dealing with Webster are going elsewhere to be customers to many banks out there .

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Treerootz
Meriden, US
May 18, 2011 5:12 pm EDT

Go to another bank. I just applied for a loan to get a motorcycle and got denied.. The lady at the branch had me lie about things on the application because it would "look better". I have 771 credit score, never missed a payment in my life, and just finished paying off a $15, 000 car loan... They told me I was "conditionally approved" and wanted to see my more recent pay stub. I gave them 5 weeks worth of pay stubs, and 4 days later I call them wondering where the ### is my money. They says "I'm sorry the loan has been denied"... They don't call me and tell me this? 3 days before this they told me I was approved? They had a check stub from 2 weeks before, and now all of the sudden I'm denied? If I can't get a loan there (for $3500), then who can? I have a feeling they don't have the money to give out... I would take your money out of there before they use your money to pay their debts... Just a warning...

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C.T.B
Hartford, US
Apr 15, 2011 2:51 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Webster bank is one of the worst bank i've banked with.I have webster online i'll login my account daily to check my balances and view pending and what's posting, i also have direct deposit, today i'll login and when i view my account details items will leave from pending to posting, the next day you return it will posted right back into pending and when you view it was posting, then what they do is if they see that you are going to be like $20 or $30 in overdraft they then place the $20 0r $30 purchase you just made into posting, then the check for the will then return to pending state for a $35 fee and the overdraft item would then not be charged the $20 fee, they go for the highest amout.Webster bank think we are fools and we dont check to see our balances, we just run to use our card

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DSnyder444
Apex, US
Mar 19, 2011 7:58 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Terrible bank. Closed my account out last year with a zero balance because I was moving to NC, but they never actually closed it. They started taking new maintenance fees from my account in November, and since the account was zeroed out they also took a $35 overdraft fee from my account every month. They sent me no correspondence that this was being done. I just now received a letter from a collection agency saying that I owe $87. I called Webster and a supervisor said there is nothing that he can do since I did not close the account, even though I did. My wife had also closed her account, but she received the statement that they were taking maintenance fees from her account, so she had to call and close it again.

Please do not do business with this bank. It's all fine while you are a customer but don't ever try to leave. It will hurt your credit score.

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Dougie2155
Hamden, US
Mar 11, 2011 12:44 am EST

you MUST work for the banks, they get enough fees from business acounts, to let real people have free accounts. It is when they become greedy and have to feed that bottom line, they start clipping accounts for more money. All in the name of profits, the little guy has to suffer. Your anger just comes because you have not been clipped yet. But your day is coming, you deposit money in a bank too, ha ha ha ha!

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agwells33
hartford, US
Jun 20, 2010 9:45 pm EDT

agreed!

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FrustratedMANfromCT
New Haven, US
Jan 13, 2010 12:09 pm EST

This has to be THE WORST BANK I have ever had an account with! It has gotten to the point where I need to check my balance every day and I still get lopped with overdraft charges! Why? Because they always seem to clear debit card purchases before they clear checks that are deposited. I'm always having to make deposits at the ATM because HOW THE F*** can I get to the bank before 3:00 PM when I work 9 to 5?

The deposits from the ATM can take over a day to hit the account.

Currently, I made a deposit of $748.00 at the ATM on Sunday. It said my Available Balance was $214.00 ! Good, fine!
I bought groceries that night, totaling $94.00. Checked my balance on Monday, $28.00! STILL NOT NEGATIVE!

Nervous as hell, I checked online on Tuesday at 10:00 AM, still $28.00 and three pending transactions, my deposit, my groceries and a soda I bought. According to the WEBSITE, my check was first to clear...ok, nerves somewhat relaxed.

Still not confident, I checked my balance today - THREE $37:00 SERVICE CHARGES for things I purchased earlier the previous week. Instead of going to the branch, I called their 800 number, got only two withdrawn from my account...STILL! This is absurd! At no point was my account in the NEG according to their provided information.

THIS IS JUST PLAIN FRAUD!

This bank is setup to destroy their customers! Their hours force you to make late deposits, the information provided on your printed ATM balance is never accurate and if you check your online balance it doesn't matter because they process Debit Card purchases at odd hours. By the next day your balance will be drastically lower.

On top of that the people at the local New Haven branch on Elm Street are RUDE, VERY RUDER! The Manager is one of the nastiest people I have ever dealt with.

PS: Off topic BUT - at the Elm Street branch, look at the building - The logo design is a Swastika! YES - Like the Nazis!
Seems fitting for this bunch of Con Artists!

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Dmb1976
, US
Dec 20, 2009 12:36 am EST

I hate Webster... Question, I've had it.. I made a deposit if 300 cash to cover my 273.00 charges.. Boom, cause it was the same day the odraft 37.00 fees went in first! that's just cruel especially now I'm laid off and cannot possibly pay with my unemployment check 352.00 of of fees to cover and be in the pos... No I just won't feed my kids! They don't care they said, , , so now I have 5.00 service charges coming through for being in the negative! greeeeat! I'm about to just let this account go, has anyone done that and they eventually close it? Or can they come after me? I rightfully paid and deposited what I owed but ill be damn if I give them 400.00 of odraft fees cause they r crooks! Advice needed?!?!? Thanks!

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blipblop
Torrington, US
May 02, 2009 3:43 pm EDT

So I'm gathering this isn't unusual but ANOTHER Webster story! they're the biggest crooks I know. I had a couple of genuine overdrafts on my account that I deserved, fair enough. I put a couple of deposits in, it covered everything. I go into my account today, and what do I find but that there are 5 overdraft fees applied. I looked at what had happened, and they had shuffled one transaction over 3 days later to fit in before the previous 2 overdrafts! not only that but there were just two tagged on for absolutely no apparent reason. I called the phone support and was rudely cut down before I had a chance to say anything by some young woman who was probably 5 years younger than I am. Not only that but when I pointed out that the account had only gone into the negative on three transactions according to their own website, here's the kicker, I was told

"YOUR ACCOUNT DOES NOT HAVE TO OVERDRAW IN ORDER FOR US TO CHARGE YOU OVERDRAFT FEES." That is word for word what the woman on the phone told me.

When I asked for a supervisor I was told no. first thing monday I'm closing my account. Would have been today, but the wonderful branch where I live decided to lock their doors 10 minutes early (according to their posted closing time on the door) today. I sure am glad these theives got some of that federal bailout money I and my children will be paying off for the rest of my life.

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George Bartholomew
Westport, US
Apr 30, 2009 9:52 pm EDT

Frankly I am astounded that there are not more complaints against Webster on this board since you posted in 2007. I have had similar issues. There is absolutely no doubt that they purposely manipulate transactions to realize maximum NSF fees from their consumer depositors. I doubt they would be ballsy, or stupid, enough to engage in such practices with their business depositors as too much cash would be at stake and this is most definitely a bank that is on the precipice of catastrophic failure.

Let me give you an example. I am a law student and had a measly $67 in my Webster checking. I made a purchased at a retail store and swiped my card in the electonic terminal only to be told that I swiped the wrong terminal and I should swipe again in another next to it. You guessed it, the first terminal was NOT cleared and somoine came up later and finished the transaction signing their name on my transaction. That move overdrew my account. It was fraud. A $2 debit from iTunes followed the same day. I realized $74.00 in NSF fees and it was fraud that caused the NSF. I called Webster to dispute the fraud and they said that I must either go back to the store, which was 45 miles away. and resolve with the mgmt or elect to have my debit card immediately cancelled and replaced 10-15 days later !Well I topk option A . Luckily the store actually kept a photo record of the sig on the bogus transaction and it was clearly NOT MINE. The store apologetically refunded my money. I then went to my Webster office shoiwng them the fraudulent sale and asked for a refund of the NSF. The assistant manager in the Westport office., a smug clown named Vincent Cuozzo(sp) told me to go back to the retailer and demand that the retailer refund the $37.00 as well because the retailer caused the overdraft. WHAT !. Hey, that argument would never fly, right?

The $37.00 refund of the NSF was denied by Cuozzo. Wait, I am not done. It gets even better. I then say, wait a minute. if the $2 iTunes charge was posted BEFORE the bogus retail charge, both hit on thesame day, then my account would not have been overdrawn by cauxse the the $2 debit. . So I am at least entitled to at least the $37.00 back from the $2 iTunes charge rght, I say to Cuozzo? Cuozzo says NO. He then fabricated the most ridiculous story that a customer poll ( hey when has Webster ever cared about customer opinion?) That was first clue. Cuozzo then said that customers want the higher amount posted on the same day to come first. WHAT? For what reason? Cuozzo says because if it is a mortgage payment it may not then bounce. What! What idiot could conjure that up? So I ask if that poll or policy is written anywhere? He stuttered and said that it is in the Disclosure that all depositors get (OH REALLLY? I ask for the Disclosure and then ask Cuozzo where to find the reference. He stutters again and says. "I don;t know but its in there"
So I take the hefty Disclosure home and read it. read it agtain. I ask a lawyer friend to read it. Guess what? It AIN'T there. Surprised? You shouldn't be. You see, Cuozzo also said " In this banking environment we never refund NSF'S" No doubt whether they are erroneous, mechanically manipulated or downright fraudulent. It simply does not matter to Webster Bank because obviously they need your $37.00 if they have any chance of staying afloat. So to all who are reading this, let's collectively come together and make sure they don't stand a chance of surviving. There is much steam rising from excessive credit card and bank charges foisted on consumers while banks are thrown a lifeline with OUR tax dollars. Let's stop this. Write the CT and MA State Banking Commission. Write a letter to Richard Blumenthal CT AG, he-s a straight up consumer advocate. ...and write in this site. Lets be heard

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BigLeagues
New London, US
Mar 15, 2009 1:51 pm EDT
Verified customer This comment was posted by a verified customer. Learn more

Holy cow! Now I know its not just me! I thought I was losing my mind with Webster's funds posting system! I'm an IT professional and I have long suspected they have some serious architectural deficiencies in their banking network and now I feel more positive of that than ever! My experience is VERRRRRY similar to the other complaints listed here.

For the first 6 months I had the checking account, I kept a rather high balance - so I never ran into any issues. But when things got tight, I began to notice overdrafts being posted in the 24-48 hours after I made a deposit, and began making purchases. What's even more disconcerting is about 90% of the checks I deposited to the Webster account were written from a separate Webster CORPORATE account (not a personal checking acct)! HOW are those funds not available IMMEDIATELY if deposited in person during regular banking hours?! Bank policy I was told.

Let me offer this disclaimer before I share my experience below . . . there were a couple of NSF's that I was clearly responsible for and I conceded when going line by line through statements with Customer service reps on a WEEKLY basis. But a good 80% of them were the result of my funds not being available when Webster promised they would be, even when following their unposted, but Service Rep stated deadlines for depositing (which I share below). It became unmanageable & absurdly stressful when my handicapped, elderly Mother lost her insurance coverage for 6 months and I had to pay her 13 different EXPENSIVE prescriptions out in cash from that account - and the money that should have been available wasn't because Webster had claimed it as their own.

The first time it happened last fall, I called, protested, and they ultimately reversed half of the initial 6 charges and explained to me the timeline for restrictions on funds after deposit (which are not accurately available anywhere, unless you press the customer service rep for them). I also found out that normally $70 is the max that the first level Customer Reps are authorized to refund without getting further approval - which as if getting that $70 (that should have never been taken in the first place) isn't hard enough, just try getting them to go above that. And no matter how much they end up refunding, if any . . . they will not under any circumstances admit fault (even when I have proved that I followed their deadlines to a "T").

So . . . for the record, and hopefully your benefit, if you deposit in a Branch located ATM, you must do so by 9 PM (not midnight - like most normal people would expect - again not posted anywhere), for the funds to be available the next regular BANKING day. Similarly, if you deposit a check in person during regular banking hours, the full funds will not be made available until the next REGULAR banking day. In both cases they make a small portion of your deposit immediately available no matter when or where the deposit is made. I can't remember if it's the first $100 or 10% of the deposit. Many of the deposits I was making were $1000, and I would notice $100 available after (but technically, NOT always - because even AFTER following Webster's protocol's of making the deposit (again most often this was a **Webster business account** check I was depositing) on a regular banking day during regular hours or before 9 PM at a branch ATM, and waiting until the next banking day before making purchases or withdrawing funds . . . IF those purchases or withdrawn funds on the day the deposited funds were to be cleared according to Webster's policy totaled more than $100, then often not only did I get whacked for each purchase above that $100 level, but my monthly statement would also make it look as though the first $100 was never available either because NSF funds take priority over the funds availability to the customers - meaning in essence, and in reality, I got DOUBLE whacked in some cases for the same purchase or withdrawal!

It was at this point, I also noticed that Webster's outsourced Internet Banking information is often at odds with whats in their very own ATM banking info and phone banking info. There were Fridays I would check my balance, confident all previous transactions had cleared and posted, the electronic balances jibed with what I had recorded on my end, and I would proceed to make a purchase or two over the weekend well within my available balance, and get a card denied for insufficient balance. I would run to the closest ATM and do a balance inquiry and sure enough my balance was not what I had see just the day before on a Webster ATM. I'd go home dejected and pissed, check the online balance - and find it was exactly what it was on Friday. If i waited until the following Monday the issue was usually corrected online and at the ATM's and the funds I knew I had were suddenly available again. The problem with this is, several times I had available funds to cover a check that was out, and the check was processed on a Friday night or Saturday when those whacky balance issues occurred and YOU GUESSED IT - they still whacked me for a NSF on that check and still wouldn't admit any responsibility. And when I tried explaining the circumstances of what occurred, it was well above the Service Reps pay grade or interest.

So . . . as a matter of comparison, I have a checking account with a local regional bank in Southeastern Connecticut named "Chelsea Groton Bank". If I make a desposit to a branch located ATM by midnight before a regular banking day, the funds are almost ALWAYS posted by no later than 8 AM the next morning, unless there is an issue with the check, and even then I've gotten a prompt phone call from that branch. (Gotto love those community based banks!) But more to the point, when I deposit the VERY SAME Webster corporate account drawn check into my Chelsea Groton Bank checking account, and do so in person during regular business hours . . . the FULL amount of the check's funds are made available IMMEDIATELY. I have NEVER NEVER NEVER had an overdraft fee with CGB if I follow that protocol. However, even if I follow EXACTLY what the Webster branch manager and customer service reps on the phone have told me about their protocol's for funds availability and avoiding overdraft fee's, and document their occurrences as best I can, I still get whacked somehow - and Webster has yet to admit ANY fault for any of the overdrafts, no matter what I produce as evidence to them. Having said that, in my experience - which is now mercifully drawing to a close, the only way to ensure your funds are 100% available after a deposit into a Webster account is to WAIT A FULL 72 --BANKING-- HOURS (as in NOT including Saturday and Sunday) before attempting to draw on the account. Of course, in this economy, and in this world of zip-zip electronic banking - waiting that period of time is a complete joke and represents an abdication of Webster's servicing responsibilities to it's customers and the privilege of operating a financial institution.

I also know, having worked in professional sports, that Webster is a rather large player in the professional sports venture financing racket. In other words, if you want to build a new facility or buy a minor league team, Webster will pro-actively pursue winning that financing business. The interest on the principal in those deals is obviously enormous, so its ends up being very profitable. But I got suspicious about the retail banking side of this company last fall (once all this overdraft crap started happening), about how profitable Webster Bank would be (they build NEW banks from the ground up in areas they have never operated in or near previously, and keep those banks open even when it seems that they have very few customers). Two of my local branches are examples of this. For close to two years now, I've been into each branch at varying times throughout the week, all times of day . . . I've NEVER had to wait behind another person and never seen more customers than employees in either branch - NEVER. So, I suspect that Webster nuances their NSF's policy to cover their ### if banking regulators started looking into it, but I don't think there is any doubt they exploit the regulations to their favor and privately view it as a growth line on their income statements.

Finally last Fall, I did read a news report that discussed the NSF issue and which banks in the Northeast have reported the highest amount of revenue as it relates to how many customers they have. I thought I bookmarked it, but I cannot find it now . . . but guess who was right near the top of the list . . . WEBSTER BANK!

I will be closing the account soon. There is a negative balance of approximately $450 in the account. I told them that the balance I've left is what I feel they owe me. They of course disagree. I simply couldn't fight with them any longer. In my experience, Webster and the way they treat their customers with this NSF policy is not much better than the bottom feeders who offer Payday loans with loanshark like interest rates of 25%.

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pfinster
glastonbury, US
Mar 04, 2009 12:19 pm EST

The problem is "false balancing" they make millions in fees for this. You make a deposit, 2 business days to clear, ok I can handle that. The first $100 of the deposit is available right? Oh, no, its only availble if you withdraw it in cash from the bank at the same time! Make a deposit, go around the corner, use your debit card to buy a loaf of bread, WHAm $35 NSF charge!

I am changing banks this month, what a headache. My wife's bank, they'll call her and say, we've got this check for $800 and your account is low what would you like us to do, and she'll go deposit some money no problem.

IO just got hit for $140 in NSF charges again, while I had $800+ in the bank, total rip off.

I suggest everyone write a letter to our Attorney General to protest this bank "false balancing" scam!

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Laura
East Haven, US
Dec 31, 2008 6:06 am EST

I have been with this bank for 19 years. Up til this year, I had no complaints. Back in July, I wrote a check and mailed it in. Supposedly, this check didn't clear due to NSF, but when I called the payee, they had no problem cashing it. However, Webster chose to not let my deposit of $320 go through, bounced my mortgage check and then bounced this check, even though it had not had problems as far as the payee was concerned. I never got a favorable response.

They tell you two different things. My husband's credit union check is drawn on Webster Bank. I get from the manager at one branch that I should deposit it with a teller so it clears. Yesterday, I'm told by the teller that the only way I'll get immediate access is to put the $320 in the ATM and that $100 will clear right away and the other $220 the next day. They seem to have cleared it today, but I'm nervous that all the charges done after midnight, they might have cleared before this check - I've seen this done before.

I'm going to call today to see if they're going to "bounce" the charges that were posted.

Also, I don't know what time the ATM considers the same business day. If I deposited the $320 check at 4 p.m. on Monday, would it have totally cleared by Tuesday? Again, another issue that Webster is fuzzy about.

As far as putting cash in the ATM, if you have more than $100 and it's the weekend, don't deposit it all. Put $100 in and then on Monday, go to the teller and put the rest in. They can't make you wait for your cash when you use a teller, can they? Well, then again, who knows with this bank? Also, you might as well use that cash instead of the ATM card so they can't charge you the fees if the money doesn't go through on time.

I did notice too that it used to be that if you used your ATM as a credit card, it wouldn't go through for at least 2 days. Now, you're lucky if it's a day.

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tonita
, US
Dec 10, 2008 4:29 pm EST

What about their policy that when you deposit cash through their atm machine, you don't get the full amount credited for two days! Somehow that doesn't seem legal. Their motto should be "Webster...The now you see it now you don't bank". I deposited over $300.00 cash through the ATM and wasn't credited for two days. The worst part is that when you look at your online statement, it doesn't show that it is being held in the history. Nowhere does it show a negative balance. Then, voila! Seven overdraft fees and two more to come. I'm going to make a complaint to the banking commission on this. This never happens at my other bank. When I make an ATM deposit, the full amount is there the very next business day.

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Sandy Ward
,
Dec 01, 2008 7:09 pm EST

I agree with the complaints on this board. If any of you feel that charges/fees were made against your account were made because of Webster Bank's wrong doing and if you can prove you have done your due diligence (like comparing your own register with what you see online) and if you STILL see erroneous charges being made to your account - send a letter to the Attorney General Blumenthal/Consumer Protection. Another poster indicated she was going to write to the CEO - don't waste your time. He's going to protect Webster.

Aside from the bank managers not knowing their own procedures and/or business practices, whacking us with overdraft fees when there isn't a negative balance, unlinking savings and checking without authorization - you think the CEO CARES? Start making a little noise with Attorney General Blumenthal - he'd have a field day with this place.

As for me, I'm moving on - I have very little faith in this place.

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joel
,
Oct 15, 2008 8:58 pm EDT

I made a Deposit on Friday the bank did not make the funds available till the following Wednesday than the proceeded to charge me with nsf fees in order of biggest charge or check to smallest no matter when they posted costing me a total of 490.00 this year alone i have paid over 3000.00 in nsf fee and i can not break the cycle with these ###

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Fred Batchelder
,
Aug 05, 2008 4:59 am EDT

I am having a horrible time with my construction loan through this bank.

I obviously upset someone and every week I get nasty letters of late payments, NEVER made a late payment and missing paperwork, paperwork is NEVER missing.

When someone there wants you . . . they will get you!

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Joseph Mansigian
,
Jun 20, 2008 11:40 pm EDT

Today I found another problem with my Webster checking account.
I deposited my paycheck via ATM and was given an immediate
$100 available credit. The next a check for $87 was presented for
payment against my account. There was sufficient funds and my available balance showed a positive amount after the check was paid.
Sounds Ok. I thought so. But then when they post my deposit from paycheck they decide that for some reason I should now get an NSF fee for a check that has already cleared when my account was NEVER negative for one second ! I am at my wits end with Webster Bank.
I am seriously searching for a new bank.

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Joseph Mansigian
,
Jun 20, 2008 11:31 pm EDT

I have had more than one problem with Webster Bank.
One time I deposited a check for $1500 via ATM which
they rejected for a technical reason based on how the check
was made out. Ok, fine. They can refuse a deposit. But the way that they refused my deposit was to debit ( subtract ) $1500 from my account and then two days later credit ( add ) $1500 to my account.
This is how they got to zero. But what happened in the intervening
two days is that the missing $1500 caused my checking account to go
low so that checks presented for payment were NSF. But Webster still paid them and charged me NSF fees. Two days later they restored the $1500 they had subtracted, but the damage had been done. My payees got their money but I got NSF fees even though
I had sufficient funds there all the while.

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Holly Turner
,
Jan 29, 2008 9:49 am EST

I dealt with Webster Bank because my bank First Fed was bought out by Webster. In 2006 I was struggling with my finances and called to make arrangements on a payment, not only did nobody ever call me back but I then sent a certified letter to a Sarah Collins and she never contacted me. Webster BAnk then called the loan and what a nightmare it has been for me. A $4000.00 loan turned into almost $13,000.00. I almost lost my home and everything around me. Webster Bank is not a pleasant institution to work with. All of my other creditors worked with me. I would never stick anyone on a payment, but god when you're trying so hard to make arrangements and Webster seems to want you to fail, it's scary! They made me pay for legal fees and court fees, eventhough I always tried to work with them. My advice to everyone out there is (STAY CLEAR OF WEBSTER BANK!" They will ruin your life! Dreaming of ruining your life...bank with Webster Bank.

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James Kransten
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Nov 30, 2007 12:52 pm EST

Webster Bank is one of the worst institutions I have ever done business with. This bank robs from the poor. If you have a checking account with debit card and your balance for 1 second is negative they will hit you for a $33.00 charge for every transaction, when you redeposit money they will grab it for fees. If you have more than 5 $33.00 charges it is increased to $35.00 then if your balance remains in negative terittory the charges continue to pile up util you can no longer afford this bank. It's a vicious cycle that will suck all your money up. Instead of rejecting transactions that create a negative Webster accepts them so they can screw you on the fees. At the same time they offer all kinds of free accounts like business, senior, etc. If you live check to check and your balance goes up and down this bank will force you to leave with their account fee structure.
The customer service is nasty, unforgiven and unhelpful. If you have a disagreement with them they log it on their management software and they will forever treat you like garbage.
I will never do business with Webster Bank. DON'T GET INVOLVED WITH THIS BANK. DON'T GET SUCKED IN CAUSE THEY OFFER SOME FREE GIFT OR ACCOUNT. DON'T GET SUCKED IN CAUSE SOME BANK REP WAS NICE TO YOU, THEY WILL TURN ON YOU AND THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE ON THE PHONE FORGET IT , THEY DON'T LIKE THEIR JOB SO THEY DON'T LIKE YOU EITHER.
YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! STICK WITH THE CREDIT UNIONS AND COMMUNITY BANKS

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ashley
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Feb 15, 2007 6:48 pm EST

Webster bank is the worst bank i have ever had. I have had non stop problems with them. When i first opened the account the woman took my license to get my full name and somehow she wrote down a different last name. When i pointed it out to her she said she would fix it. A week later when i got my visa check card of course the last name was incorrect. So i had to wait two more days for a new card. Then i went to cash my paycheck and a teller would not cash the whole thing which ruined my plans of buying a psp for my fiance for valentines day. I had about $300 in my account when i went to kfc and bought $3.91 worth of food. I also bought something for $10 at the mall. I go online to look at my transactions and they charged me $60 for overdrawing my account because they took so long to put the charge through that a hold went on my account. And i am writing this right now because i looked online at my account again and look at this! They put $100 of my money on hold without telling me because i cashed my state refund tax. Dont use webster bank they suck.