BankUnited

When You Deposit Money In A Bank, Whose Money Is It?
- MrsPiggy549 - Friday, May 13, 2011 - 10:20 PM

My father had a custodial account for my son. Dad died (YOB 1909) and my son (YOB 1985) wanted the money for a down payment on a condo. We went to the BankUnited and were told that a death certificate had to be placed on file at the bank. I brought the death certificate while my son was at work and BankUnited kept a copy. I was told that a check could not be issued without my son present. Next day, my son went into the bank, after work, at 4:30 PM (bank closes at 6 PM, on Friday's). He was told that a check could not be issued because the manager and legal department had already gone home and that he should come back on Monday. My son is not a fighter, thus, he left the bank empty handed.

Can somebody please explain how a bank can hold a depositer's money without a valid reason? My son had already signed to close the account, the death certificate was on file, and the back was open until 6:00 PM...Does he need to bring the witches' broomstick to the Wizard? What is going on here and what legal rights does my son have to obtain his money? Are we still living in the USA? I am both confused and scared. Does the Patriot's Act protect the citizens of this country or deny them their rights? This is a sad commentary on the state of banking in America, today.

Bankunited: Worst Banking Experience Ever.
- gkarpcell - Thursday, December 15, 2011 - 8:12 PM

On December 16, I happened to go to an ATM to use my Bank United ATM card.  It was rejected without explanation, and I went to the local branch of Bank United, where they know me, and I asked them what was wrong.  I assumed they would tell me the ATM wasn’t working.  What they told me was the most shocking thing I had ever heard.  I was told that, without my knowledge or consultation, they had closed my two bank accounts (one checking and one money market, with a substantial amount of money in them), and had mailed the remaining amounts to me.  If I had not gone to the ATM, I would have had no idea that these accounts had been closed and the money was no longer at the bank. I would have continued to write checks that would have bounced. When I asked why they didn’t have the courtesy to call me (we have had the same phone number for 10 years), the bank officer expressed irritation that I should ask. She actually seemed irritated that I should even ask for an explanation, which she wouldn’t provide. Then I found out that they had mailed these two checks (separately) to a condo address we hadn’t used in about eight years.  Strangely, all of our monthly statements and check orders had been sent for numerous years to our current and correct address. There is no reasonable explanation as to why they would send anything to that address. I headed over to the condo where they had sent the checks and, miraculously, the check from the money market with the bulk of the funds was being held at the security desk. I eventually tracked down the second check as well.

 

I was amazed that no one even apologized for all the inconvenience I was caused.  No one even seemed concerned about the checks that would bounce because of this action. Also, let me be clear  - to my knowledge in all those years I don’t believe we ever bounced a check until this situation occurred.  I cannot believe that this kind of behavior could be legal, although the bank officer insisted that it was.  If it is legal, it shouldn’t be. 

Illegal Double Pick A Pays And Negative Amortization
- eekthecat13 - Monday, January 3, 2011 - 11:53 AM

My folks are elderly and disabled. Not only did BankUnited do ONE pick-a-pay where the lowest payment does not cover interest (ie: negative amortization) but then after only a year of paying only the minimum (non-interest covering payment) they put them into ANOTHER Pick-a-Pay with even more negative amortization. "Caveat Emptor" is no where near the text nor meaning of this countries Banking Regulations. Please read the HOEPA ( Home Ownership and Equity Protection Act )... If this is how they did business up until their bankruptcy, expect the FDIC to be eating alot more losses, and that new private bank to be keeping all the illiicit gains

Incompetence & Lack Of Trained Employees
- bankskeptic - Monday, April 16, 2012 - 11:37 AM

i just recently opened two accounts with bank united at two different branches and the staff were very helpful and i thought somewhat competent. after a couple of weeks i still don't have my checks nor my check card, three weeks go by and i get a call from them requesting that i go in person to verify my signature which they forgot to do when i was there opening the accounts. their schedule is not very flexible so i rushed into the bank on a friday 15 minutes before 6 pm ( closing time). i do tell her about my missing checks and card so she fills out the request. today monday i get another call that i have to go back in person to sign the "correct" request form since she used the wrong form. i thought chase was bad but i see there are worse banks out there...

Bad Customer Service, Incompetence, And Illegal Fees.
- ooprof - Sunday, October 24, 2010 - 7:31 PM

My father held two accounts and a CD at Bank United when he died.  They made it very difficult to close the account, taking over three weeks and many interactions, then charged high fees to close the accounts. They knew I was from out of town, so they delayed until I had to leave so they could charge the fees without my interaction. They also charged over $580 in prepayment fees on the CD even though their literature stated that there would be no prepayment for a premature withdrawal due to death.

If you are a Senior Citizen, and they already have your money, they treat you like dirt.

WORST BANKING EXPERIENCE EVER READ THIS!!!!
- wkb - Monday, March 11, 2013 - 10:13 AM

Opened up a BUSINESS and PERSONAL account with this bank, in Boca Raton.  I began using the accounts for my new business.  A month after the account was opened I received a letter in the mail, with no name attached to the letter, stating that my accounts would be closed, and a check sent back to me with the balance.  No phone call from the local bank, after having been told when I opened the accounts "we're people friendly!  we're business friendly".  When I called to ask for an explanation, I was told "it was a decision made in corporate" and no further explanation was forthcoming.  I have owned three businesses in Florida and have run six-figure payrolls through these accounts through another LARGE national bank.  I was hoping to start a business relationship with a local Florida bank.  Needless to say, I will never recommend this bank to anyone that I do business with, and will return to the LARGE national bank with whom I have been doing business for over thirty years.  I posted ONE star rating ONLY because I was forced to choose at least one.  This bank deserves less than that.