Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

In the USA we have organizarions that are called "Federal Credit unions". They servce all the same functions as do banks but are owned and operated by the share holders. Each customer owns at least one share, mine cost $50, and it pays dividends. You may own more and they serve as a savings account. The checking and savings accounts involve far less fees ands restrictions of a commercial bank. The credit card has a fixed lower interest rate and no annual fee. Intrerest is not cahrged from the day of purchase but only if not paid off each billing period. The loan department in my credit union is restricted from making real estate loans of any sort. Mortgage default swaps and derivitaves are not allowed. I do not do business with any bank and havent in some years. When I stopped their fees were becoming outrageous and customer service laughable. Now the big ones are getting govt. bailouts and the lesser ones are going broke. We should let them all go broke.

They ARE broke right now. Simply a matter of time before it's recognized.

And don't forget credit unions are not for profit, which allows them to charge less on interest rates and pay more on savings and still have the same access to federal reserve money and insurance! Which the big banks lobbied legislators to stop. And much much better service as they answer to the credit union members so don't charge all the other gouging crazy fees. Ours will do mortgages on primary residence but 20% down and only in the area of the credit union. No 2nd homes, camps, recreational property, or investment property etc.
The not for profit thing is why they don't risk lending to high risk borrowers and is why credit unions don't need finiancial help!

I work for a bank - Bank SA/St George who are now WESTPAC. I work in IT however what im seeing here isnt abnormal you may say, and boy have I seen some and been involved in some stuff before!

apparently members equity(super funds bank) and hsbc do not charge fees....if we all went there would we see a change by the big banks....only tf enough people changed over.....it's also my theory on petrol stations...we should all boycott the first one to put up fuel for a month each time they do it...no money for a month?

Oooh, that presses a few buttons Drew. Had my fair share in that industry, never again. Walked away with a huge lesson learnt, (still had my health, just.) and after I saw a few horrible situations like people losing their homes, needless to say there is one company that I will not buy fuel from, (4 letter word)
I would suggest another thread, but I like this forum for good reasons and do not want to bring up back those bad memories and negative shit.


Thanks for the heads up on that one Ercih, will be sure not to move to St George then, that would be like out of the frying pan and into the fire.

Faye I'm shocked, I've never heard you use that 4 letter word before.....

In the US that may be a 5 letter word No doubt the price gouging at the pump drove the final nail in the coffin. People will buy fuel to go to work. 1: Food 2: clothes on your back 3: roof over your head. People have to eat so when they pick your pockets of more than it takes to sustain a household on, the houses are first to go. Really sad. But the culture of purchasing a home that requires 2 or more weeks net income also is partially to blame.

As you rebel against banks by using credit unions, you might also rebel against oil companies, by using alternative, brew at home fuel. Not only does this deny control over you, it is far cheaper. Like aquaphonics both give you a better product than usally on the market.

Interesting piece in the news about the banks, a mob trying to recoup $5b in illegal fee's, register via web site, cost is free and if they win you pay 25%, there percentage seems high but the fact you would normally get sweet fa back leaves you 75% in front, I have registered to try and recoup the money in my story in this thread, the website is http://www.financialredress.com.au

Yep saw that last night, worth a go I reckon. Their idea sounds fairly straight forward and sound with their claim that the banks have called them a "fee", when in reality they are a penalty, and illegal.

I'm not sure if it's still a statute... but once upon a time, not so long ago... anyone charging an interest rate of over 16% was deemed to be a racketeer....

Show me a credit card that charges less than that rate....

I finished the process as is quite simple, they are not promising anything, but worth ago for free, my claim is around $500, so I would get $375 that I never had if successful, so why not

I didn't know whether to post this here or in jokes, I guess people not following this thread will miss a good laugh, I think the ANZ must me sampling what they are selling via melbourne branch (another news story that is a good read)

Note to self: 'Cancel credit cards prior to death!'

Be sure and cancel your credit cards before you die! This is so priceless
and so easy to see happening - customer service, being what it is today!

A lady died this past January, and ANZ bank billed her for February and
March for their annual service charges on her credit card, and then added late fees and interest on the monthly charge The balance had been $0.00, now is somewhere around $60.00.

A family member placed a call to the ANZ Bank:

Family Member:
'I am calling to tell you that she died in January.'

ANZ:
'The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply.'

Family Member:
'Maybe, you should turn it over to collections.'

ANZ:
'Since it is two months past due, it already has been.'

Family Member:
'So, what will they do when they find out she is dead?'

ANZ:
'Either report her account to the frauds division or report her to
the credit bureau, maybe both!'

Family Member:
'Do you think God will be mad at her?'

ANZ:
'Excuse me?'

Family Member:
'Did you just get what I was telling you . . . The part about her
being dead?'

ANZ:
'Sir, you'll have to speak to my supervisor.'

Supervisor gets on the phone:
Family Member:
'I'm calling to tell you, she died in January.'

ANZ:
'The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply.'

Family Member:
'You mean you want to collect from her estate?'

ANZ:
(Stammer) 'Are you her lawyer?'

Family Member:
'No, I'm her great nephew.'
(Lawyer info given)

ANZ:
'Could you fax us a certificate of death?'

Family Member:
'Sure.'
( fax number is given )

After they get the fax:

ANZ:
'Our system just isn't set up for death. I don't know what more I
can do to help.'

Family Member:
'Well, if you figure it out, great! If not, you could just keep billing
her. I don't think she will care.'

ANZ:
'Well, the late fees and charges do still apply.'

Family Member:
'Would you like her new billing address?'

ANZ:
'That might help.'

Family Member:
'Rookwood Memorial Cemetery, 1249 Centenary Rd, Sydney, Plot Number 1049.'

ANZ:
'Sir, that's a cemetery!'

Family Member:
'Well, what the F-CK do you do with dead people on your planet?'

thats priceless Nocky." we are listening but we cant hear you" typical example of what our bank fees pay for.