Editor:

What is a college student to do? This week I dealt with one of the most incompetent and unprofessional groups of people I have ever encountered.

After a third hold was put on my account this week without my being informed as to why, my bank decided to close my account for good. I’ll give you a little background so I don’t just sound like a bitter ex-customer.

My parents wrote me a check from my bank back home for money I had made this summer to cover rent, bills, etc.

Before it was cashed, my father’s bankcard was stolen and a bill of $3,000 was charged on it.

So the check bounced and a hold was put on my account. I went to the bank to clear it up twice only to find out last week they had put another hold on my account for a reason unknown to everyone at my branch, even the president (don’t even get me started on that guy).

After a week of being jerked around by pretty much every employee they have, I was informed my account was closed for good because they weren’t comfortable with me as a customer.

I’ve been unable to write a check or get money for any bills.

You’d think that a bank could tell the difference between some drug dealer making large deposits of money coated with some strange powdery substance and a college kid living 1,500 miles from home trying to get some money to have books, food and a roof over his head. The bank I dealt with last year isn’t much better. The account they offer students has to have a minimum balance of $300, or they charge you money every month that you’re under.

This isn’t Tulane. I spend most of the year with less than $300.

Take it from me kids, under your mattress is a much safer place for your money these days.

Timothy F. Swaingeneral studies sophomore