Thu
Jun 12 2008
08:53:pm
Tear The Roof Off The Sucker
By: Andy Axel  shortURL

After having a brief lunch with a co-worker this afternoon, I walked with him up to the local RegionsBank HQ in Nashville so he could deposit a few checks.

As we're standing in the atrium, I observe that there are a couple of wall-mounted LCD widescreens, and they're showing Happy Feet on them both. So I muse aloud, "Hey, when I was a kid, my sisters and I didn't get to see a movie. We did, however, get a Dum-Dum lollipop after my mom concluded her business at the bank, so I think I got the better end of the deal." He nodded in agreement. "I like the root beer ones the best, I think. Cream soda is a close second."

Continuing, I wagered a Special Lunch Numero Cinco that as part of a cost-cutting measure, the bank had stopped giving out suckers at the tellers' window (I don't bank at Regions; I use a local credit union). "Something like that," I surmised, "just doesn't pass muster for this neo-Dickensian corporate age."

We approach the counter, and we ask the teller about this, couched in terms of "help us settle a bet."

Unfortunately, I lost, but only on a technicality. RegionsBank does in fact give out suckers, but they do so with a monthly allocation at the branch that runs out in approximately two days. Feh. In spirit, I think it's fair to say that they don't, in fact, make this a priority.

However, they're supposedly trying to "figure out a way" to pay for the suckers, as a lot of people have been asking about what happened to them. (Translated: The company is too cheap anymore to fund them out of petty cash, and some humorless bean counter probably won't consider them an allowable expense.)

So, the question remains: What financial institutions (branch or main office) still maintain this, one of the least among life's simple pleasures?

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54
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CathyMcCaughan's picture

We get suckers at Regions

Submitted by CathyMcCaughan on Thu, 2008/06/12 - 9:26pm.

We get suckers at Regions and BOA almost every time we visit them. They also give out dog treats. On Fridays, BOA has popcorn in the lobby. Is this post a sneaky way to find out where everyone banks?

Andy Axel's picture

Gee, I honestly couldn't

Submitted by Andy Axel on Thu, 2008/06/12 - 9:47pm.

Gee, I honestly couldn't care less where people bank. I just want to know who the skinflints are.

I was wondering if this was an isolated or widespread phenomenon.

(So much for levity - everyone has an agenda these days as well, huh?)

____________________________

"It's gettin' so a businessman can't expect no return from a fixed fight. Now, if you can't trust a fix, what can you trust?"

CathyMcCaughan's picture

Don't be a grump. I was

Submitted by CathyMcCaughan on Thu, 2008/06/12 - 10:03pm.

Don't be a grump. I was joking. If I was worried, I wouldn't have answered your question.

Andy Axel's picture

Oh, I'm just grumpy because

Submitted by Andy Axel on Thu, 2008/06/12 - 10:06pm.

Oh, I'm just grumpy because I got screwed outta my sweets.

(My credit union branch is also off the free candy program.)

____________________________

"It's gettin' so a businessman can't expect no return from a fixed fight. Now, if you can't trust a fix, what can you trust?"

CathyMcCaughan's picture

You can get a free cookie at

Submitted by CathyMcCaughan on Thu, 2008/06/12 - 10:18pm.

You can get a free cookie at almost all groceries. Get thee to the bakery section.

redmondkr's picture

Don't know about suckers but

Submitted by redmondkr on Thu, 2008/06/12 - 9:38pm.

Don't know about suckers but the local branch of Enrichment Federal Credit Union (K-25 FCU) gives my little boy Gino two dog biscuits each time we go through the drive through. They always give him two because their treats are for little dogs and he weighs 135.

He once got a free hamburger patty when we went through the local Hardee's drive through.


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bizgrrl's picture

Enrichment Federal Credit

Submitted by bizgrrl on Fri, 2008/06/13 - 5:29am.

Enrichment Federal Credit Union

I think that is a ridiculous name for a financial institution. I'm sure many people have no idea the name relates to enriching uranium. "Enrichment" makes me think of a cult. Every time I see one of their billboards I want to write them a letter or do a snarky blog post.

en-rich (en rich') v.t. <-riched, -rich-ing>
1. to supply with riches or wealth.
2. to supply with abundance of anything desirable: new words that have enriched the language.
3. to add greater value or significance to: Art can enrich life.
4. to adorn or decorate.
5. to improve in quality or productivity, as by adding desirable ingredients: to enrich soil.
6. to increase the proportion of a valuable mineral or isotope in: fuel enriched with uranium 235.

Rachel's picture

Enrichment Federal Credit

Submitted by Rachel on Fri, 2008/06/13 - 3:23pm.

Enrichment Federal Credit Union

I think that is a ridiculous name for a financial institution.

Glad to know I'm not alone. Every time I see one of their ads on tv I snigger.

Opinari's picture

B of A

Submitted by Opinari on Thu, 2008/06/12 - 10:13pm.

Bank of America in Texas still doles out the DumDums. I just assumed this was a banking tradition. I guess I was wrong.

R. Neal's picture

SunTrust over here in Alcoa

Submitted by R. Neal on Thu, 2008/06/12 - 10:22pm.

SunTrust over here in Alcoa used to give us doggy biscuits at the drive-thru, and the friendly teller knew our names and our doggy's name.

Sadly, she has moved on, and we're lucky to get a correct transaction, much less a smile or a decent CD interest rate.

Last time I went inside (which has been a while) they had Dum Dums. Both the candy kind and the customer service kind.

We're in the process of spreading our money around to some local community banks and credit unions. Not just because of all that, but it all adds up.

P.S. Following up on KR's post above, the SunTrust doggy treats we used to get were gigantic, at least for our little Pupster. We'd give her a piece and put the rest in the console, Pretty soon our console was full of doggy treats, and Pupster was quite fascinated with inspecting it every time we got in the car.

R. Neal's picture

P.S. Not to change the

Submitted by R. Neal on Thu, 2008/06/12 - 10:42pm.

P.S. Not to change the subject, but did anyone else's dentist give them Dum Dums after every torture session?

I never thought much about it, and in fact appreciated it. Until I got older and realized the irony.

CathyMcCaughan's picture

My childhood dentist gave

Submitted by CathyMcCaughan on Thu, 2008/06/12 - 10:57pm.

My childhood dentist gave out plastic vampire teeth. I think that's just as bizarre as the candy.

Rachel's picture

My childhood dentist let you

Submitted by Rachel on Thu, 2008/06/12 - 11:07pm.

My childhood dentist let you pick out a ring from a tray of cheap, glittery ones. I loved it.

I need to ask the spouse if the TVA CU gives out suckers. I haven't been there in ages; since his office is next door, he does any necessary in person banking.

Bizzy's picture

Ahh....

Submitted by Bizzy on Thu, 2008/06/12 - 11:03pm.

I could go for a good candy cigarette and a nip (those little wax bottles with the syrupy goop inside) about now.

Factchecker's picture

Modern accounting

Submitted by Factchecker on Fri, 2008/06/13 - 8:24am.

...there are a couple of wall-mounted LCD widescreens, and they're showing Happy Feet on them both.
...
they're supposedly trying to "figure out a way" to pay for the suckers,

Sell the LCDs?

redmondkr's picture

Enrichment Federal Credit

Submitted by redmondkr on Fri, 2008/06/13 - 8:36am.

Enrichment Federal Credit Union

I have been a member of the K-25 Federal Credit Union since 1971. I wasn't fond of that stupid move either but nobody asked.

Still I like dealing with the folks who run it.

Maybe the Y-12 Credit Union will change their name to Bomb Factory Federal Credit Union.


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bizgrrl's picture

Maybe the Y-12 Credit Union

Submitted by bizgrrl on Fri, 2008/06/13 - 9:04am.

Maybe the Y-12 Credit Union will change their name to Bomb Factory Federal Credit Union.

Good one!

Thag13's picture

Mrs Thag and I bank at Y12

Submitted by Thag13 on Fri, 2008/06/13 - 9:50am.

Mrs Thag and I bank at Y12 Credit union ever since we were married.

Mainly because Mrs Thag as been banking there since she was a teen when her father worked at Y12.

I think they still give out some sort of candy and I am sure they do stickers. My autistic son Morgan likes to get his hand stamped by the tellers. He usually gets VOID, but sometimes gets the deposit stamp....

No Matter Where you go, There you Are!!!!

Anonymous's picture

Shameless Promotion

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 2008/06/13 - 10:21am.

At my place of employment(Mountain National Bank) in Sevierville and Blount county we have dum dums, doggie biscuits and a lot of swag (pencils, pens, notepads, coffemugs, tote bags, etc) available.Every Friday is 'Cookie Friday' with free Otis Spunkenmier cookies available.

Justin's picture

I bank online w/USAA ...no

Submitted by Justin on Fri, 2008/06/13 - 12:27pm.

I bank online w/USAA ...no brick and mortar for me. I have a backup account at TVA CU just in case I win the lottery and have to cash a check really quick. No dum-dums there...just cheap watered down free coffee.

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