Bank of America freezes gun manufacturers account

[netcoyote]

Some of you have written about BoA activities before. Here's another reason to pull your business out of there.
http://cnsnews.com/blog/gregory-gwyn-williams-jr/bank-america-freezes-gun-manufacturers-account-company-owner-claims

Bank of America Freezes Gun Manufacturer's Account, Company Owner Claims
By Gregory Gwyn-Williams, Jr.
January 7, 2013

Bank of America has reportedly frozen the account of gun manufacturer American Spirit Arms, according to its owner, Joe Sirochman.

In a Facebook post dated December 29, Sirochman wrote the following:

“My name is Joe Sirochman owner of American Spirit Arms...our Web site orders have jumped 500 percent causing our Web site e-commerce processing larger deposits to Bank of America. So they decided to hold the deposits for further review.

“After countless hours on the phone with Bank of America, I finally got a manager in the right department that told me the reason that the deposits were on hold for further review -- her exact words were -- ‘We believe you should not be selling guns and parts on the Internet.’”(emphasis added)

Sirochman also wrote that he told the bank manager that “they have no right to make up their own new rules and regs” and that “[American Spirit is a] firearms manufacturer with all the proper licensing.”

He also noted that he has been doing business with Bank of America for over 10 years, but will now be looking for a new bank.

According to Unlawful News, this isn't the first time Bank of America has targeted a customer involved in the firearms industry.

McMillan Group International was reportedly told that its business was no longer welcome after the company started manufacturing firearms – even after 12 years of doing business with the bank.

[Huntbear]

I would not use that bank if it was the last one left on earth....

[carpsniperg2]

 

[xd2005]

I would be willing to bet there's more to this story than the one side being presented.

For example, BofA is the issuer for Bass Pro Shops credit card. Doesn't sound like something they would do if they don't think companies should sell guns and parts on the Internet.

[MrsTurkeyFeather]

I would not use that bank if it was the last one left on earth....

Yup, with Wells Fargo and Chase not far behind!

[Alan K]

I switched from BoA to US Bank, hopefully they don't follow this lunacy.

[TheHunt]

Go to a credit union

[MrsTurkeyFeather]

Go to a credit union

[netcoyote]

I would be willing to bet there's more to this story than the one side being presented.

For example, BofA is the issuer for Bass Pro Shops credit card. Doesn't sound like something they would do if they don't think companies should sell guns and parts on the Internet.

BoA are pragmatists. I'm sure the Bass Pro Shop account is a lot bigger than the American Spirit Arms account. They will look the other way if there's a buck to be made. They can make media points by grandstanding their position with ASA because they are small potatoes. BoA has never claimed to be  shining example of ideological purity.

[fair-chase]

Go to a credit union

  X100

[csaaphill]

here it is folks this isn't a simple bank story boycotitng boa or whoever isn't the real deal this is just anohter part of the fight.
stop saying it wont happen here jump out the pot please damn.

[wesnue]

Guess what? I just tried to purchase a 22lr handgun online from 3 locally reputable retailers using my BoA credit card that has 0 balance and I was declined by the payment gateway each time. I used the correct billing info on file with BoA and I even tried to buy on multiple days at different times of day. All guns were in stock and not on backorder. I finally purchased my gun with a Chase card and no problems. I called BoA and of course they couldn't find anything wrong with my account and they said they had no evidence of me trying to purchase anything. Come to find out after speaking with several sales people working for the online gun retailers and they told me in a round about manner that the payment gateways are to blame and they label online firearm sales as "high risk" and BoA declines all high risk sales. When I asked what "high risk" means, the sales clerk laughingly remarked that it has something to do with anti 2nd amendment agenda and declined further comment. I hate to be a conspiracy guy, but it seems to me that BoA does not want to allow USA citizens their right to legally buy firearms online and pickup from a licensed shop owner. The left will allow legal pot and illegal immigration, but no, I can't pay for my 22lr pistol online with BoA card!

[Bean Counter]

Go to a credit union

  X100

  I'll never go back to a bank 

[huntnphool]

Guess what? I just tried to purchase a 22lr handgun online from 3 locally reputable retailers using my BoA credit card that has 0 balance and I was declined by the payment gateway each time. I used the correct billing info on file with BoA and I even tried to buy on multiple days at different times of day. All guns were in stock and not on backorder. I finally purchased my gun with a Chase card and no problems. I called BoA and of course they couldn't find anything wrong with my account and they said they had no evidence of me trying to purchase anything. Come to find out after speaking with several sales people working for the online gun retailers and they told me in a round about manner that the payment gateways are to blame and they label online firearm sales as "high risk" and BoA declines all high risk sales. When I asked what "high risk" means, the sales clerk laughingly remarked that it has something to do with anti 2nd amendment agenda and declined further comment. I hate to be a conspiracy guy, but it seems to me that BoA does not want to allow USA citizens their right to legally buy firearms online and pickup from a licensed shop owner. The left will allow legal pot and illegal immigration, but no, I can't pay for my 22lr pistol online with BoA card!

 So dump them!

[Stickerbush]

Banks are so powerful now, they have our money. Not unlikely that things like ammo and hunting purchases will be unauthorized due to user agreements of using g debit cards

[PlateauNDN]

Go to a credit union

  X100

  I'll never go back to a bank 

I've been bank less for 3 yrs now. My world didn't crumble yet so I must be okay.

[dscubame]

 

Go to a credit union

[pianoman9701]

Go to a credit union

  X100

  I'll never go back to a bank 

I've been bank less for 3 yrs now. My world didn't crumble yet so I must be okay.

Tell the truth, Plat. Jarheads aren't that good with cipherin', you bounced a bunch of checks and they took your card away. Isn't that correct? C'mon, fess up! 

[Knocker of rocks]

Guess what? I just tried to purchase a 22lr handgun online from 3 locally reputable retailers using my BoA credit card that has 0 balance and I was declined by the payment gateway each time. I used the correct billing info on file with BoA and I even tried to buy on multiple days at different times of day. All guns were in stock and not on backorder. I finally purchased my gun with a Chase card and no problems. I called BoA and of course they couldn't find anything wrong with my account and they said they had no evidence of me trying to purchase anything. Come to find out after speaking with several sales people working for the online gun retailers and they told me in a round about manner that the payment gateways are to blame and they label online firearm sales as "high risk" and BoA declines all high risk sales. When I asked what "high risk" means, the sales clerk laughingly remarked that it has something to do with anti 2nd amendment agenda and declined further comment. I hate to be a conspiracy guy, but it seems to me that BoA does not want to allow USA citizens their right to legally buy firearms online and pickup from a licensed shop owner. The left will allow legal pot and illegal immigration, but no, I can't pay for my 22lr pistol online with BoA card!

Almost certainly a complete and utter falsehood.  These rumors were common almost four years ago, and were proven to be false.  Now this individual from "Texas", on his very first post, posts very inflammatory information without a shred of collaboration.

[Special T]

I know a group of guys who are historical military vehicle collectors. One of them was trying to bring back a ww2 half track from Europe.  BoA was involved with the wire transfer and halted everything because of  a corporate policy. No importation of Armor.

Your "Almost Certain" assumption is BS. Enough of us either have first hand experience or 2nd hand.  I do my best not to do business with those schisters.

While my folks were on a cruise they asked me to get thier mail and deposit a couple of checks for them. I walked in to the local branch to deposit the checks for them. Guess what? I wasn't allowed to deposit them without opening an account. Even talked to the Mgr.  I feel sorry for the employees but they should find greener pastures and leave the corporate shills to fend for themselves.

[Knocker of rocks]

While my folks were on a cruise they asked me to get thier mail and deposit a couple of checks for them. I walked in to the local branch to deposit the checks for them. Guess what? I wasn't allowed to deposit them without opening an account. Even talked to the Mgr.  I feel sorry for the employees but they should find greener pastures and leave the corporate shills to fend for themselves.

Which has what to do with wesnue story?  Chiding me about the experience of you and others means nothing, I've had the same Seattle First National Bank account since 1966.  BoA truly sucks, and sucks bad.  But wesnue's story is a complete fabrication.

(edit to add:  just get their cash card and PIN, and deposit all the checks you want for them from the comfort of your car )

[Alchase]

I agree with Knocker, total BS.

I hate banks and have used a credit union for the last 30 years. If BOA actually did this, and it was provable, they would be ruined over night.

This was a huge story in 2013, it was not true then and not true now.

They would be in violation of there Merchant Agreements with Visa and Mastercard if they were to try to limit, or deny any places of business that you could use your card.

Honestly anyone still using BOA as their bank, after all the crap they pulled during the 2005-2008 recession, deserves all that BOA shoves down their throat, but this is not true.

[Evil_EdwardO]

I got rid of my BoA checking and savings and now just have credit unions for banking. I still have a BoA credit card and I have bought a fire arm with it in the last couple of years without a problem. So, I would call BS on this story also.

[Knocker of rocks]

Honestly anyone still using BOA as their bank, after all the crap they pulled during the 2005-2008 recession, deserves all that BOA shoves down their throat, but this is not true.

We're too entangled with them to make a run for it, but we use other banks extensively.  For customer service we use Banner, which we've owned stock in since they were Towne, and keep the same people in a branch for years, if not decades.  BoA ships folks out about every six months, claiming that "promotions" is the reason.  But if that was true, corporate headquarters would explode.

There are lots of reasons to move employees around a bit, and as the NPS shows, stationary management bodes nothing good.  But I sometimes think that BoA does it to piss people off.  There is nothing more worthless than getting a disingenious call from your "personal banker", branch manager or VP, with them extolling how they are looking forward to working with you, and them stammering when you tell them you have this very same call every four months as BoA shuffles everybody thru.

[csaaphill]

I know back when this was first posted on here, that I searched BOA's site they are grossly incorporated to the greenie movement, and other things so this does not surprise me none.