Oh Chase, what happened to us?
Remember 5 years ago when we opened our checking and savings account with you? Everything was so smooth and easy; the people in the bank were so nice to us the night we established our accounts. Sure some of that had to do with a call from a high placed regional manager alerting you of our impending arrival but still the whole experience was great.
You had a number of great assets over the years, some we took advantage of on a regular basis. Remember all the fun we had and how we helped one another? Here are a few reminders …
- I loved the fact there were two branches within walking distance of our home. Both of them were open late, until at least 8 p.m. if I am not mistaken (I’m sorry if it was earlier or later, time tends to dilute the memories). And Sundays, oh remember the Sundays when I could walk into the branch and do some banking? There was the time last year when we decided to cash in some savings bonds and we did so after lunch on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Not many other branches would have been there like for us.
- One of the best things about you Chase was how accessible you are. You’re everywhere in Chicago! You have ATMs all over the place including every single Walgreens store which in effect means every other corner in the city of Chicago. I never had a problem finding you Chase, it was always so comforting.
- You know me and technology Chase, I love it. Which is why I was so happy to use your amazing online banking services. I knew the exact date a payment was coming out and when it was going to be paid. When I sent a physical check from you the money came out of my account the day the check was sent. Transactions came up right away and it was so easy to move money from one account to another. Your interface was fantastic and I can’t imagine anyone else coming close to eclipsing it.
- Even when the rough times came, you were there Chase. Twice a year Cook County came calling and was looking for property taxes to be paid. Payments could be made online, or in a branch … it was all so simple.
But the distance is too much now my friend. Your only location here in southern California is in Disneyland and that doesn’t make it easy to get $40 whenever I need it. People are so funny about out of state checks that it practically forced me to say goodbye to you. Of course there was that day a few weeks ago when Hollywood freaked me out and had me thinking you were coming to live in Los Angeles. Remember? They created a Chase branch on the corner of Hope and Wilshire, but it was all for not – a fake location only to be there for the day. I hope you saw the irony in the matter – filming a commercial for you in a city where a single ATM does not exist.
I hung on as long as I could, saying goodbye to our savings account two months ago but holding onto the checking account until I knew nothing else would run through the it. But the time has come and I finally have to say goodbye. It was comforting on the phone when the banker tried to give me reasons to stay with you. Of course none of them made sense, especially the idea I should visit a Walgreens or gas station and get cash back whenever I need money. It just isn’t practical.
Not that it matters, but I’m not sure how my new banking relationship is working out. Their online system is questionable at best and they have already screwed up our accounts on two occasions. But they are here in California, they’re everywhere, and it makes it so much easier to live.
So this is goodbye Chase. Maybe not forever, but at least for now. If you ever did find your way to California I hope you know I would hook back up with you in a heartbeat.
