"I'm also a Libertarian and believe that any business should (current Civil Rights Laws notwithstanding) be able to do business or NOT do business with whomever they please and for whatever reason or no reason. I question whether a corporation, with government granted immunities and government insured, should be able to discriminate. Something about equal protection. However I'm also a free-market capitalist and think this information may be of interest to others in the gun industry when they consider which financial institution deserves their patronage. I am actively seeking a Phoenix financial institution that does not spit on our constitution, and our freedom, by denying services to the vary people who secure their rights."

[url]http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com/bofa.htm[/url]
 
Should the Gun Industry Boycott Bank of America ?
(updated 05-02-01)

The following is a summary of my recent experiences with Bank of America. I started with an e-mail, but have had dozens of calls from newspapers and individuals wishing to verify the accuracy of the e-mail before publishing or forwarding the information. Therefore, I am posting all of the pertinent information to my website, which will be updated on a continuous basis.

My name is T. Mark Graham. I am a gunsmith and owner of Arizona Response Systems. I have a small shop that does general gunsmithing, refinishing and restoration, and law enforcement upgrades. I also write technical manuals on firearm repair and produce some gunsmithing videos. I have been a professional gunsmith for over ten years.

I was dissatisfied with the high discount rate of my current credit card processing company and discussed it with an officer of Bank of America Arizona, at the Desert Sky Branch. I have a good relationship with several of the officers and met with Robin, the new branch manager to apply for merchant services. After two weeks with no answer, I met with Robin again and she said she's check up on it. After two more weeks with no response, on Friday, April 27, I met with Robin again. She informed me that "they" said "they " had called and left a message on my answering machine ["they" had not] and that "Bank of America does not provide merchant services for the gun industry." Since the decision was above her head, I saw no value in huffing and puffing at her branch, but did inform her that I was dissatisfied with the answer and was going to pursue the issue. The meeting generated the following e-mail which I sent to my political action list and some friends around the country.



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Should the Firearms Industry Boycott Bank of America?
My name is T. Mark Graham and I have been a customer in good standing with Bank of America (BofA CA, BofA TX, BofA AZ) for 17 years. I have held Visas, Master Cards, Credit Lines, a Home Loan, and Personal and Business Checking Accounts. In April of 2001, I applied with Bank of America (Phoenix, Desert Sky) to transfer my Gunsmithing Business' Credit Card Processing from an independent company to Bank of America, where all my other accounts are held. Bank of America declined me.

-cont-

-cont-

Was it because I was a credit risk? No, I have a 5+ year excellent track record with my current processing company, and outstanding credit.

Was it because I'm a racial minority? No, I'm not - and its illegal to discriminate on basis of race.

Was it because I'm of an obscure religious cult? No, I'm not - and it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of religion.

Was it because of my sexual preferences? No, - it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of sexual preference.

Was it because I'm female? No, I'm not - and it is illegal to discriminate on the basis of sex.

It was because I'm a gunsmith. A professional in a centuries old legal craft. "Bank of America does not provide merchant services to the gun industry."

I'm also a Libertarian and believe that any business should (current Civil Rights Laws notwithstanding) be able to do business or NOT do business with whomever they please and for whatever reason or no reason. I question whether a corporation, with government granted immunities and government insured, should be able to discriminate. Something about equal protection. However I'm also a free-market capitalist and think this information may be of interest to others in the gun industry when they consider which financial institution deserves their patronage. I am actively seeking a Phoenix financial institution that does not spit on our constitution, and our freedom, by denying services to the vary people who secure their rights.

Please forward this information as you deem appropriate and thank you for your time.

-cont-

-cont-

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I have made several more calls attempting to confirm this policy. I have a copy of a Bank of America document titled "Merchant Services Account Qualification." It identifies certain types of businesses, that due to their statistically higher "risks of chargeback activity and loss potential" are ineligible for BofA merchant services accounts. Some examples are adult entertainment, escort/dating services, multi-level marketing, gambling/lotteries, collection agencies, bail and bond payment agencies, and several others. Gun businesses are NOT listed, which makes sense as the gun owners are statistically more affluent and educated than the average American.
My calls on Monday, April 30, led me through the BofA Small Market Acquisition Department and California [!] Merchant Services to Daniel Schulman, Commercial Services Executive Sales Representative for Arizona. A supervisor at Merchant services informed me that Daniel was the one assigned to my application [I later learned that BofA calls this preliminary application a referral and the follow-up document the "application"] and the one who rejected it. The following is a condensed transcript of our conversation.
 



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MARK GRAHAM: Hello.

DANIEL SCHULMAN: Hi Mark.

M: Okay, it took me a while to track this down, but you are listed as the sales representative who declined my merchant account application, the reason given Bank of America does not provide merchant services to the gun industry. . . . So what I'm trying to determine is - the branch manager tells me that they said that we don't do this type of business and is unable to tell me who "they" is.

D: Well it's conceivable she could have spoken with me and I would have said that it's true, when we receive applications for these types of businesses we do not approve them. That's absolutely accurate.

M: Okay.

D: Now what I can say that I've received from Robin at your local branch is a referral [note: I had not revealed the name of my local branch manager, therefore, Daniel must have been intimately familiar with my case beforehand]. 8 x 11 completed referral, giving me basic information about your business.

M: Okay.

D: Upon receiving it, I informed her that we don't approve these types of businesses . . .

M: Okay. Are you aware of a document that Bank of America produces called Merchant Services Account Qualification?

D: Not this specific document or I may have seen it at one time or another --

-cont-

-cont-

M: Okay, it lists eligible merchants and ineligible merchants.

D: Mmm-hmmm.

M: And I was wondering if you could point out where on this list the gun industry comes, because -

D: The gun industry until the past probably month and a half, two months was never on our ineligible list actually and only recently has the new risk management that's moved into place disallowed guns and ammunition from the accounts that we approve[emphasis added]. So it wouldn't have even be three or four months ago believe it or not that it would have been something that we work with. So it probably has not been updated onto our collaterals that would be distributed.

M: Okay, can you send me something in writing stating that it is Bank of America's policy to not approve firearms-related industries?

D: I think I can probably come up with that.

M: Okay. Also what I'm wondering is are you going to be canceling the accounts that you already have?

D: What accounts do we have, Mark?

M: For gun businesses.

D: Hmmm. I don't know.

M: I have been in contact with - I got his name written down here somewhere who runs the eastside of Phoenix, but is running West side now while someone else is on vacation. And he's got several gun businesses.

D: Yeah we used to approve them, it's true. So do I. I have gun businesses on the books myself. Like I said, this is a recent policy that's been put into place.

M: Okay, because I'm trying to track where the policy is coming from and, you know, because I was invited on Sunday to participate in a national radio talk show in reference to this, but I thought it best that I give Bank of America opportunity to clarify before the substantial loss of business that this policy will create.

D: Right. Well I have no problem trying to produce that. To be honest, I'm not too concerned about the potential loss of business. You know, all that's been taken into account by the people that actually put together our new log, guidelines. [emphasis added]

M: Okay.

D: You know, I don't mind trying to dig this up for you as a favor to you.

M: Well what I'm trying to get is something in writing because I'm sure you know your job, but if you are perhaps misunderstanding a guidance from somewhere else then it would be unfair for me to start bashing Bank of America if in fact the facts aren't straight.

D: Yeah, I totally agree with you. I got no problem trying to pull something like that together.
 



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Please forward a link to this page as you deem fit. If you wish to use only a portion of this page, please include a link as well so the recipient can find any updated information and verify the accuracy. http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com/bofa.htm.
I'd like to find some way to tally the effect this BofA policy decision is going to have on Bank of America, both financially and on public relations. Should you decide to close an account with BofA, or cancel a credit card, please send me an e-mail (click on mail below) with the account number (only AFTER its closed) or any other anecdotal information. I will consolidate this information and make it available to BofA. Perhaps the loss of a few hundred million dollars in business will convince BofA that their new policy is not only unfair, but a very poor business decision. Citibank learned the hard way last year.

What banks are gun friendly?

Kyle

This would be funny if not so nauseating.  There is another post about this on this board also.  Here is a chance for members to do something constructive by hammering Bank of America.  The two posts have gotten a total of 3 responses.  I guess everyone feels it is more important to argue about creationism vs. evolution, bash cops, and assorted other crap than try to do something constructive, read about this subject and take appropriate measures, such as boycotting this bank.

When are they going to change their name to "Bank of Amerika"?

I thought the sheeple would get tired of all of playing political correctness after 8 years of being ruled by someone who didn't know the definition of the word "is".

I don't currently nor have any future plans on using Bank of Amerika, so consider me boycotting them.

I do bank with these jerks so I WILL be switching!!  It'll take some time to get it all squared away but I'm darn sure going to take a copy of that transcript with me when I go in the next couple of weeks.

I, and everyone I have ANY influence over,  already boycott bank of ameriKa because they, along with at&t, gave money to the racist minority groups to finance the lawsuits to remove the Confederate flag from the South Carolina statehouse. However, I will start up another flame campaign and tell them I will boycott them again.  I don't think it bothers them any, they have been running off small accounts for years, because there are laws that will not allow them to have over a certain percent ( I think 15%) of all accounts on deposit.  THey want their fifteen percent to be the big money accounts.  Thanks for the heads up.  

OK everyone, we did this before, we can do it again.

BOYCOTT BANK OF AMERICA

Spread the word...

CMOS

You can tell they are liberals...just look at the comercials they're running.

Is this story authenticated yet?

If it is a fable it will make shooters look stupid.  I would like to hear from the NRA on this story.  I only say this in case there is another reason for the refusal and we and up being a bunch of jackasses.

If it is true, there should be an orchestrated plan to at one time remove accounts and sell stock.  I don't happen to HAVE any accounts or stock, but I am happy to write letters and pretend I did :)

James

check out the link weve already won.


hooray

They are were bought out a few years ago by NationsBank from North Carolina in what I'd call a reverse merger.  BA had NationsBank acquire it, but guess what -  the "Acquired" executives wound up easing the former BA chairman off the plank.

Now it seems like NationsBank is or has changed to the name of the 'subsidiary', Bank of America.


Annual Report
[url]http://www.bankofamerica.com/annualreport/[/url]

The following information was pieced togetther from the annual report and the SEC filing
from the SEC Edgar web site [URL]http://www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/formpick.htm[/URL]


(Address of principal executive offices)
NATIONSBANK CORPORATE CENTER /
  Bank of America Corporate Center
100 N TRYON ST
CHARLOTTE, NC 28255
BUSINESS PHONE: (704)386-5000


Here are the Officers & Directors:

[b]OFFICERS[/b]

HUGH L. McCOLL, JR.
Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer

KENNETH D. LEWIS
President and
Chief Operating Officer

EDWARD J. BROWN III
President, Global Corporate
and Investment Banking

JAMES H. HANCE, JR.
Vice Chairman and
Chief Financial Officer

F. WILLIAM VANDIVER, JR.
Corporate Risk
Management Executive




[b]BOARD OF DIRECTORS[/b]

CHARLES W. COKER
Chairman
Sonoco Products Company
Hartsville, South Carolina

ALAN T. DICKSON
Chairman
Ruddick Corporation
Charlotte, North Carolina

FRANK DOWD, IV
Chairman and CEO
Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company
Charlotte, North Carolina

KATHLEEN F. FELDSTEIN
President
Economic Studies, Inc.
Belmont, Massachusetts

PAUL FULTON
Chairman
Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc.
Winston-Salem, North Carolina

DONALD E. GUINN
Chairman Emeritus
Pacific Telesis Group
San Francisco, California

JAMES H. HANCE, JR.
Vice Chairman and
Chief Financial Officer
Bank of America Corporation
Charlotte, North Carolina

C. RAY HOLMAN
Chairman
Mallinckrodt Inc.
St. Louis, Missouri

W.W. JOHNSON
Chairman, Executive Committee
Bank of America Corporation
Charlotte, North Carolina


KENNETH D. LEWIS
President and
Chief Operating Officer
Bank of America Corporation
Charlotte, North Carolina

WALTER E. MASSEY
President
Morehouse College
Atlanta, Georgia

HUGH L. McCOLL, JR.
Chairman and CEO
Bank of America Corporation
Charlotte, North Carolina

O. TEMPLE SLOAN, JR.
Chairman and CEO
General Parts, Inc.
Raleigh, North Carolina

MEREDITH R. SPANGLER
Trustee and Board Member
Charlotte, North Carolina

RONALD TOWNSEND
Communications Consultant
Jacksonville, Florida

JACKIE M. WARD
Chairman
Computer Generation Incorporated
Atlanta, Georgia

VIRGIL R. WILLIAMS
Chairman and CEO
Williams Group International, Inc.
Stone Mountain, Georgia

I dropped my Citibank card years ago because they wouldn't provide accounts for gun related businesses.
It is always great when they call me to sign me up again and I can tell them why.
I think Dillon catalog will have a list of pro 2nd ammendment finiancial organizations.

I've done my last bit of business with Bank Of America, everytime I've received a loan from them they've sold it to some 2-bit company with $hit for service.  So either way I'll not have anything to do with them.