Comments on: Bank of America – Thank You Captain Obvious

By: Ed M.

Ed M. — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 17:51:50 +0000

Great post Mr. Fleming. Once upon a time preemption was a great technique implemented creatively in various campaigns. The “we offer online banking” claim is nothing short of an embarassment to such preemption classics as the Shlitz “live steam” claim or Lucky Strike’s use of “toasted” tobacco.

If you’re going to use this classic technique, use it wisely.

“The America in Bank of America isn’t just part of our name, it’s something we believe in. That’s why you won’t find a single terrorist employed at any one of our 33,000 nationwide branches. In fact we’re the only bank in the United States to be awarded the Gold Statue for Recognition of Outstanding Anti-Terrorist Hiring Practices. Try finding that trophy at your local credit union.”

Shame on B of A for so such laziness at every level of this effort.

Keep up the great work Mavericks!

By: joshuafleming

joshuafleming — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:49:23 +0000

There is no such thing as free checking, bait and switch 101!

By: Justin Brady

Justin Brady — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:36:30 +0000

You forgot free checking… that is a big motivator when I pick a bank. (Cough cough)

By: Claire Celsi

Claire Celsi — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:02:38 +0000

Ben: I didn’t know that but it’s still a locally owned bank. I’m sure they’ll get it paid back soon.

By: Katie

Katie — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:54:51 +0000

Ben! like the link! thanks

By: Ben Cox

Ben Cox — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 15:20:19 +0000

These responses are awesome! here is a website where you can search by where the bank’s charter is. so put in West Des Moines and you will see there are 10 banks chartered in WDM. click on the name of the bank and it will show you how solvent the bank is. http://banktracker.investigativereportingworkshop.org/banks/iowa/
If you click on Marengo you will see my favorite bank.

Claire mentioned West Bank, sorry to inform you they received TARP money.

By: Katie

Katie — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:48:37 +0000

Fleming…you’re on! got some nice empty pieces of property with 5″ of dust sitting in the inside…somebody’s gotta be ready to work a deal.

Ben..I tried my zip code again and it still wants me to go to Nevada. Maybe you could share with us the few and the proud…if they’re anything other than what Claire shared.

thanks!
kk

By: joshuafleming

joshuafleming — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 22:01:10 +0000

Thanks for all the comments folks.

Pete – you make a lot of sense. Guess the point is that it would be so easy to rise above the rest with a little creative thinking.

Ben – great link, we’ve been showing that to everyone in the office today.

Kelly – can you imagine the kind of insight Banks could have if they played in the social sandbox? Just on your comments alone…

Ketelsen – open a bank, I live out west too.

Claire – Let me grab you a tissue

Megan – Big banks should look at the credit union model and she what they can borrow for their own customers

Devin – Claire has mad commenting game, as evidenced by her commenter of the year award last week. http://admavericks.com/2009/12/29/commenter-of-the-year-announced/

While I (we) don’t always agree with what she posts, she certainly is colorful in her imagery. : )

By: Devin Range

Devin Range — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:50:10 +0000

I had totally planned on writing a long, drawn out response/comment about why everyone should avoid BIG BANKS at all costs, but then I read Claire’s comment and absolutely lost it! I mean, seriously, anyone who puts “They’d just as soon wipe a booger on you…” in their comment doesn’t deserve a long-winded, somewhat political response from me!

Well done, Claire!

@DevinRange

By: Megan

Megan — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:42:41 +0000

I’m sticking with my credit union! I currently use one of those “too big to fail” institutions and hate it. My savings account is with my hometown credit union. They know me (or my parents, aunts and uncles) and defintely offer better service.