We noticed on AF's website today when looking for a contact about the big NO to trees (and the unlocked evening ATM door) that they have a community affairs division. Surprisingly (can you hear the sarcasm) there are currently no community events planned or happening in Brooklyn. Hey Astoria Federal how about acting like nice neighbors and first, sweeping your corner once a day then second, taking some of your cash and putting out a planter or two (as well as a garbage can) at the corner of McDonald Ave & Church. We'll never bank w you and hope other Kensington folk also take their business to banks that aren't associated w AF!
Anyone know anyone to email the link to by the way....
Monday, November 19, 2007
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
12 comments:
It's interesting because the Park Slope Branch on Seventh Avenue PRIDES itself on being community minded, at least that is what the branch manager told me.
I'd also heard that the Church/McDonald branch is a "training" branch and tellers are trained there and then sent elsewhere so there is more turnover.
Does anyone know the branch manager's name/gone in to actually talk to him or her?
Thanks.
regarding trees, as a part of a city program, i registered the corner of church and mcdonald as a prime candidate for tree planting. if they get enough response from us, maybe theyll do something.
heres the link:
http://www.milliontreesnyc.org/html/home/home.shtml
i also registered streets that lost trees due to the tornado.
How many community events are happening at other Brooklyn banks? The CD rates at Astoria are actually pretty good, and I personally have always had to swipe in to use the ATMs. I've never seen it unlocked. I don't think I'll find a bank with better rates/ community service, so I personally will keep banking with them.
Is it a shame about the planters? maybe. But maybe they have a point- planters will fill up with garbage fast. Walgreens is kind of off to the side- not many people actually past compared to Astoria being on a major corner right outside the subway.
Oh, and I actually have seen some of the same tellers in there for years, so I don't think there's a lot of turnover
In fact, it is a training bank, and is there to serve as a school for new tellers to get experience. They have an extremely high turnover rate for their employees as was recently conceded by the branch manager (Monica?)at an ANA mtg last month. She refused to take responsibility for employees frequently calling in sick or quitting without notice leaving the bank short-handed. Chances are, they are not paid well enought to want to stick around. The lines are far too long, especially on the days when the older locals receive their social security checks. Those of us that are young and able can easily leave the neighborhood for our banking needs. Not so for the elderly. I know several of the older folks have voiced their opinions to no avail. The bank is really not there to serve the community but to serve themselves and "train" employees.
Kay, I was as at that meeting too. It was pretty infuriating and obvious that the customers were definitly not considered the priority at this bank. So far as I can tell, they are not a very community minded bank at all. I was surpised(actually, no I wasn't!)and disappointed that they declined to put trees out front, especially after receiving a petition from the community.
They are only serving themselves (training bank), not the community(trees and better service). I do really feel for the older people her that have no other banking options. It would be great to get a Commerce Bank on Church. They DO seem to serve their communities!
y'all can complain about any damn thing, can'tcha?
Laika,are you complaining???
no, just commenting on how y'all can complain about any damn thing.
I have a friend that has been a teller there since the mid 90's. She actually lives in the neighborhood so it's pretty convenient for her to stay there, what with her kids in PS 230. I'm not saying they don't train people there, I'm just saying not everyone is a trainee. You do need some experienced people around when you train people.
I agree the wait in lines are too long; sometimes the express line is slower than the longer line. (The express line moves slower because the elderly people always cut to the front of the line- and who's going to say no to the elderly?)
I may just be spoiled because I use the Chase near my job, which is huge. There is often a line- but it's not too long a wait- No old people cutting.
I had a kids account Astoria when I was younger. I don't know if other banks do that, but it's like a passbook savings account that's supposed to get children interested in saving. The passbook would keep track of your deposits which you collected for your confirmation/birthdays, along with interest and withdrawals. I think it's a good policy. That always gives me fond memories of Astoria. The only reason I switched my checking account is because they don't have any ATMs in manhattan.
When I think about it Chase is a pretty cold bank- the one on 18th ave and McDonald doesn't have planters outside. Come to think of it none of the banks along 13th ave in borough park have planters. Is that really the criteria for a good bank?
Post a Comment