I’ve never experienced my bank imposing such fees or restrictions, nor can I recall any bank I’ve used over the past two decades or so doing such. However, some banks adopt these practices, and I question why customers remain loyal when there are abundant alternatives in today’s competitive financial market.

One possible explanation is inertia: many people stick with their bank because it’s familiar. It may be the bank their parents used, or they’ve been loyal customers for years and assume they’re getting the best deal. Unfortunately, this loyalty often overlooks better opportunities elsewhere. Interestingly, credit unions—despite promoting themselves as customer-centric and fee-conscious—can also impose excessive fees, challenging their claimed superiority.

Credit unions are notorious for limited official working hours, which can be frustrating when urgent banking needs arise. Accessibility in banking has become a priority, especially for those who need customer service outside traditional “banker’s hours.” The idea of physically visiting a branch, often during inconvenient weekday hours, feels increasingly outdated in today’s digital-first world.

For me, a bank needs to be accessible on my schedule—not the other way around. The ability to resolve issues or access services anytime is essential, and plenty of financial institutions cater to these preferences without restrictive fees or antiquated processes. Customers should embrace this freedom of choice and find banks that value their time and priorities, not the other way around.