Virginia Gun Owners Forum - VGOF

Hello All,
My husband and I are considering changing banks due to our current bank becoming more difficult to do business with. Does anyone have suggestions for a large (i.e. the scale of Suntrust or Bank of America and not a local only bank) bank? I know that Sun Trust, BB&T and Wachovia are anti-gun and we would really rather not bank with a company that wishes to suppress our second amendment rights. Any suggestions would be wonderful.
Thanks!!

I deal with Va Credit Union and Union/First Market and they are great.

Any reason you need to stick with a bigger, national-scale bank? I've come to like the local ones.

CowboyT wrote:Any reason you need to stick with a bigger, national-scale bank? I've come to like the local ones.

Used to use a local bank, they were rather behind technology (they just got debit cards a year ago) which was very frustrating. Also we travel a lot and like knowing there is a bank branch near where we are.

Wachovia is indeed rabid anti gun...I also use BOA and havent seen a sign yet. I have no clue what their corporate policy is and wont ask either. If they want to make the statement then they can post a sign.

If you can join Navy Federal Credit Union is just about everywhere and opening more and more branches.

FrankG0 wrote:If you can join Navy Federal Credit Union is just about everywhere and opening more and more branches.

Some of these are posted "No guns".

depending were you live, I have not had any problems with Suntrust being anti gun. I carry in quite a few around here (Roanoke). I would recomend a small bank also. I use Freedom First FCU. They are great to deal with for loans. The best thing I have found is to find a bank that has the services you want and go from there. Building a repour with the telllers and manager is key. Good luck in your quest.

ShootinCpl wrote:Hello All,
My husband and I are considering changing banks due to our current bank becoming more difficult to do business with. Does anyone have suggestions for a large (i.e. the scale of Suntrust or Bank of America and not a local only bank) bank? I know that Sun Trust, BB&T and Wachovia are anti-gun and we would really rather not bank with a company that wishes to suppress our second amendment rights. Any suggestions would be wonderful.
Thanks!!

As others have said, the answer is not to look at another bank. 2A rights aside, I'm not a fan of the big banks. Fees, crap customer service, how many of them needed bail-outs? Nah.

I, for one, am a very, very, very happy member of Navy Federal. They've bent over backwards for us more than once, and I'll recommend them to anyone. And for those that collect pocket change, that new change counter machine is pretty rockin', too. Deposits right into your account!

We have been with Truilant Fed Credit Union for 20 some years. A credit union would be a safer route than a bank. Most of them are very stable and safe. Their are several credit union I did work for: Va Credit, Peoples Advantage, Truilant. You could get into these. Look at the benefits they offer. As far as carry on in the branch I can't even tell you the last time I walked into a branch.
Good Luck

Some of these are posted "No guns".

I did not know. All the ones I have been to are not posted and I carry into them.
Of course when I worked there at HQ they did not allow guns at work. Not sure about the parking lot I don't remember. I had a co-worker show me his rifles in the parking lot during work once (he does competitive shooting) and we were OK.

The name is Northwest Federal Credit Union, banking with them for 15 year and counting.

I used to have a Wachovia account as it was convenient for me due to its location near my college.
However I have closed my account there and switched over to Bank of America after I was informed that I cannot carry in their premises.
I have open carried at several BoA locations in NoVA and Williamsburg and they never gave me any hassle.

I know a few people who are happy with Apple Federal Credit Union. I've been happy with Navy Fed, myself.

WACHOVIA IS NO MORE!

Keep in mind folks! Wachovia has been BOUGHT by WELLS-FARGO, and WELLS FARGO is following "Starbuck's Rules", "Whatever is the law of the land, is the rules for the bank!"

It's the only reason I stuck with them!

Reverenddel wrote:Wachovia has been BOUGHT by WELLS-FARGO, and WELLS FARGO is following "Starbuck's Rules", "Whatever is the law of the land, is the rules for the bank!"

I want to help scrape the "no guns" stickers off of the doors. That would be fun.

Can someone document the Wells Fargo policy so that I can use it at my local Wachovia bank?

FrankG0 wrote:If you can join Navy Federal Credit Union is just about everywhere and opening more and more branches.

I'm with Navy Federal, but it looks like they have a policy against carrying, and maybe just haven't enforced it at all branches. I'm looking for another CU in NoVA, as I want to be able to confront Navy federal on this, and if it's confirmed they're anti-gun, I will close my accounts. I want to have another CU ready to go with.

I am with Wells Fargo, I have asked about their weapons policy at both branches I go to. Nobody knows of a specific policy for or against them.

Depending on where you live and your banking habits I switched over from a large bank to a smaller one called middleburg bank. They have 7 or so locations in nova. Just about the friendliest people I have ever dealt with.

Everytime I go into the bank they offer me a cup of coffee, ask how everything is going and just shoot the bull and this was before I even opened a account with them and just cashing checks, hence the reason I switched over. They have no tellers and someone greets you at the door takes what you need to deposit or withdraw and you can sit down and watch tv while they take care of things for you. They get a A+ in my book.