And the purpose of your telling us how much was in your accounts at Citizens was...what? How impressive you are (with yourself, I gather...)

Infuriating. For a while Bank RI was a good alternative to the banking behemoth but no more. Where oh where to put our shekels??

Sorry Patch, but I find the fact that you (a news publication) published this piece (a personal attack on a business) is incredibly distasteful.

It's one thing to provide a space for opinion and editorial content, but this was less about the state of customer service, the banking industry, or the economy, and more about a blowhard columnist who didn't get the respect HE oh so clearly deserves from HIS bank. As he states near the end of his rant:

"I have tried long and hard to make my case with Citizens powers-that-be. Since they have gone to great lengths to ensure they do not interact with the rabble who are customers, I’m making my case here."

So because of his wealth and position, he is afforded the column space to wage a personal war with his bank? Here's an idea - switch banks.

And tell me - why do we need and editor to tell us what someone else means with their comments? Ms. McNamara - please get back to writing and editing, and let us decide what someone means. Your constant 'explanations' are intrusive...

Some people are always looking to pick a fight.

Frederick, my point is that if someone who's a large customer doesn't get service, what does it mean for everyone else?

EG Lurker, who won't publish a name, are we done with free speech here? There is no right to critique a business that's providing poor service with clear examples? That is editorial content, and of course, since you don't agree, you have to call me a name, another ad hominem attack from someone who's anonymous and can't debate based on facts.

What is it about readers who become so hateful when they disagree with a columnist? Why the small minds? If you disagree fine, let me know why Citizens is really a great bank. But to call names and throw sticks from the bushes, please, that's why this state is in the state it's in. Elizabeth was trying to politely have you focus on the point.

Perhaps you'd prefer bake sales commentary? Here's an idea: Don't read my stuff if you don't like it, but grow up.

Why don't you just change banks? It's also quite rude to tell people to grow up.....

Dear Dr. Weiss - You stated that the purpose of telling the readers how much you have in the bank was "to show that important customer[s] are treated poorly, as well as everyone else." I would hope that the "important" customers are all customers, not just those that have six and/or seven figures in the bank.

I am not sure that this is about disagreeing with the columnist but the self aggrandizing tone with which the column was written. Telling us in general terms how much money you have in the bank is nothing if not boastful esp. in these economic times. In that way, I cannot understand why Sovereign doesn't treat me better because of my hundreds.

Personally I would call around and see how other banks deal with int'l checks and wire transfers and switch. Just because you are a long time customer does not mean you can't patronize another bank.

I don't think this type of personal rant against a particular business belongs here.

I abandoned Citizen's Bank years ago because of rude customer service at the branch level. I am now settled in very nicely at Coastway Credit Union where I am greeted by name and with a smile !!!

PS: Dr Weiss, I am sure Coastway would love to have you as a customer as well !!!

Thank you for your comments, Alan, and I do think they "belong here." I have one remaining CD with Citizens Bank and already have the form to roll it over when it matures to another institution.

I was in Scotland last summer, a country where class consciousness is sharp, and I could not believe the venom toward the Royal Bank of Scotland for taking the bailout money and continuing to pay inappropriately high salaries to CEO's. I say, take your money elsewhere.

By the way, I recently learned that Coastway is opening a new branch in July across from Felicia's and there are going to be some good promotions as part of its grand opening. I have no connection to this bank other than good memories of its future manager with whom I worked at BARI.

I want to thank those of you who gave constructive opinions and even suggestions on moving to other banks, which I'm certainly considering, and hoped to get exactly that kind of response here. For those of you who object to my tone or writing, don't read my blog! The lowest form of intelligence is in using personal name-calling with those whose opinions offend you, and hiding your name! I don't agree with Jennifer Allquist in having that banner removed, but I'd defend her right to a public hearing without being shouted down as she was. It's interesting that I write global columns, blogs, and books, and only here in East Greenwich do I receive nasty name calling. The Gospel of Mark: A prophet is never without honor except in his native place!

Oops! More self-aggrandizement! Blow hard, "Lurker."

I think that other than "personal name-calling," this was a good, frank discussion--the type I would like to see more of in an ezine I look at almost every day. Although I do not really enjoy engaging in controversy any more, there are battles I pick.

Karen P.

Always good to hear a rational voice, Karen!

I guess you can make a fair argument that mentioning the size of your bank account and your charitable donations lends credibility to your articles. And how listing your credentials make you a credible author. But on top of all that, you're kneeling in front of your $200k Bentley in your profile photo like a first round NBA draft pick (including a vanity license plate with your initials on it) .

I don't think you need a PhD in psychology to sense the self aggrandizing undertones in all of this.

You don't know me, and it would irritate you to tell you the Bentley I'm driving now is $300,000. Every CEO in the country worth a damn has publicity photos with prized possessions. I help people globally grow businesses. Am I supposed to show poverty to grow their businesses? They admire me for success, and want to achieve that kind of stature. You know zero about me, and even with a PhD in psychology, which I possess, you should make such blatant assessment of people. Why would you care what my lifestyle is?

Now, if people are done psychoanalyzing me and calling me names, you may be interested to hear that the chief of all private banking called me today, having read my blogs (here and on my own site). He apologized for the travails, admitted I shouldn't have to undergo that, asked me terrific questions about improvement, gave me his personal contact info, and made me feel much better about the bank and my future with it. He was a prince. He was surprised that no one could give me his number. He would not have found out without the blog posts.

Large organizations have to serve the public and their environments (Peter Drucker). They should be held accountable. The press and media do it when they are on their game, and I'm a writer, and did it here. As a result, I've had a positive impact on Citizens.

If you don't like my style, writing, or life, don't read my stuff. But I'll tell you this: One manifestation of the narrow thinking in Rhode Island as a whole is to throw stones at people with whom you disagree, and try to figure out why something won't work, not why it might work. I can publish in the New York Times, but some readers of the East Greenwich Patch resent that fact I'm allowed to write here?! Please.

I've been reading these comments with a mixture of amusement and sadness. Seriously, why do some of you have such a problem with Dr. Weiss's wealth? He's worked hard and done very well - good for him! Last time I checked, this was still America. Actually, I was much more interested in his complaints about Citizens (since I bank there, too). But these petty, malicious attacks - I just don't get it.

Hmm.

My name says it all on this. I get the point of the article, and maybe the seven figures part was a bit much as I think there was a better way to state it without seemingly boasting. However, I can't believe there is someone who is more self-involved and likes to hear them self speak (or write) than the Reverend Al Sharpton, but now I have. More power to you Al, at least you are interesting when you are being self-serving!!!

PS. Ignorance?? I live in the East Bay

It's wonderful that you're an important customer (well more important than the rest of us). It's fantastic that you have 7 digits in this particular bank. And it brings a joyful tear to my eye that you have funds in Toronto that you need to deal with before jetting off to London. But perhaps you might have gotten a clue from the name "Citizens Bank". Different banks have different target customers, Citizens is geared more toward the casual banker and small business. It is not an investors bank, nor is it entirely appropriate for high income / high value customers. It definitely sounds as though you need to change banks. By the way the removal of hats and sunglasses is a FED recommendation to all banks.

wtf patch is yelp lol

I pay little attention to people who don't use their names and hide in anonymity.

When do the villagers arrive with pitchforks and torches?!!

Martha, bless you, I've lived the American Dream, born poor, have helped hundreds of thousands of people build better lives. I'm not ashamed of taking advantage of the opportunities this country offers, nor of speaking out when we're treated poorly by institutions. (Maybe someone should have spoken out of the idiocy of 38 Studios' guarantees.) I never "dumb down" nor seek to make sure no one is offended, which is a horrible way to live.

I'm going to leave this now, because it's becoming tedious and Citizens has now acted better than some of these letter writers. They've apologized and given me the opportunity to work with them in a better arrangement. That's what excellent leaders do, and I found one after all this in Tom Fay at Citizens, who read the blogs and reached out. Good for the Patch.

Alan, to add a final word, I have no problem with your achievement, and congratulate you. That being said, your arrogance and self-importance shine through. Please, on behalf of all of us (if I may so represent), please just jump into your Bentley, drive down to Coastway or Sovereign or Pawtucket Credit Union and open a new account. I'm sure for such an important customer as you, they will be very helpful in transferring your funds from Citizens.

Mr. Weiss ~ I read your blog and all the comments posted and while I don't agree with name-calling, I think that most people were irritated with your "mid-six figures" comment. You could have written your piece and excluded that information. A lot of people are struggling in these economic times and that detailed information (not sure why you would want to post that statement about your balances when EG has had some break-ins in just the past 2 weeks!) probably stung people that are struggling. I see both sides of the argument and hopefully you are not left with the impression that "only here in EG do I receive nasty name calling" because I don't think that's what EG is about. I have lived in EG for over 30 years and loved Old Stone Bank but we left Citizens about 8 years ago and went to Centreville and have been totally happy with their service. When my husband and I walk in we are greeted with smiles and they address us by name. Try it!

Okay now that all the bantor is at a standstill, I agree with Mr Weiss about Citizens Bank. I am not a "six figure" banker nor will I ever be, and had the same problem with reaching customer service and getting good service there. I belong to SMCU Southern Mass Credit Union also a (telephone workers credit union) and I couldn't b happier. I won't deal with banks anymore ...only credit unions..

Well I got out of citizens years and years ago, I do not understand you not being able to contact anyone.

Found in about 1 minute on their website.

Citizens Financial Group
One Citizens Plaza
Providence, Rhode Island 02903
1-401-456-7000

Rhode Island
Operations Center
Citizens Bank
1 Citizens Drive
Riverside, Rhode Island 02915
1-401-456-7000

Citizens Bank PhoneBank®
1-800-922-9999

Citizens Bank Business PhoneBank®
1-800-4BUSINESS

Citizens Bank Online Banking® & Bill Pay
1-800-656-6561

Citizens Bank Business Online®
1-877-229-6428

Citizens Investment Services
1-800-942-8300

You missed my point. Those numbers won't get you an executive. Anyway, I'm done with the banter here, but thought it would be interesting for you all to know that not only has a Citizens execrative reached out personally, but two other banks, including one bank president, have called to ask to come meet with me about my future business.

Thanks to all of you for making this such a rollicking good time.

Very, very interesting "banter".

Have you tried Prophet's Bank?

Mr Weiss,
It's never easy (as I'm sure you know) to engage the RI mentality on anything that requires straight forward evaluation or analysis. Citizens has been a pain to deal with for years. I left Citizens many years ago for similar reasons. I walked with my accounts and never looked back.
I am sure that my exit from Citizens did not cause them one ounce of angst. The institution I switched to has been an excellent banking relationship for 8+ years. I understand that being contacted by an official of the bank makes you feel better. But does it really address the systemic problems within the bank for both the large and small customers, or is it the typical squeaky wheel gets the grease approach? In today's corporate world I believe it's the latter. Keep us all posted on the next dust-up with the bank, for I'm sure there will be one, leopards really don't change their spots.

It is certainly permissible to feel undervalued when your a time tenured customer *anywhere -and the system fails to deliver, I agree, Alan.

Washington Trust is a great bank! Just sayin...

I used to supervise my organization's business accounts at Citizens and I can confirm every single one of Alan's complaints. His description of wire transfers is completely accurate and made me angry all over again at the time wasted. Sitting on hold forever, the inability to contact a real person -- ah, yes, I remember it well.

Vicky, Stephen, Elise, and others, thanks for contributing, and to all those who find it helpful to contribute without name calling, obscenities, and hate.

Washington Trust, been with them for 15 years with no complaints...

I agree with your comments about Citizens, but mentioning your 7 figures definitely came across as pompous. As does this (from your Patch profile): "We freqently go to New York for the theater and dinner. We believe THE CITY is New York and the city is Providence." Sheesh!

CBA- NYC is to the U.S is what Paris is to Europe- a thriving metropolis of cultural diversity that is a destination for international visitors. It truly is *the city. I didn't take it as an insult, or a negative comparison for dinner and a movie. Most folks do both of those when they visit NYC. Mr. Weiss leads a cosmopolitan lifestyle with clear cut preferences. I wont judge or begrudge him that right.

I ran into this nonsense with Old Stone Bank decades ago. The clerk had to describe my signature over the phone to someone before they would process by withdrawl slip. At the time, I was still in the Navy and had a Navy ID. I proceeded to withdrawl all the funds and went to a credit union. The federal credit unions are just as or safer than these big banks.

We all have different experiences, I left Washington Trust Amateur Bank long ago, and never looked back.

As to mentioning the seven figure balances, I didnt think that was in poor taste at all. The man earned his place and the amounts are relevant to the stupidity of mistreating a Jed Clampett level customer.