Chevy Chase Bank

I have been a Chevy Chase Bank Visa card member since 2004. When I first obtained the Visa card, it was at a modest interest rate. In March of 2004 I was in Iraq, coming under mortar fire, being shot at, and had my convoy stopped three times for road side bombs to be detonated. I was late in making a payment to Chevy Chase Bank Credit Card in March of 2004 and my interest rate went up to approximately 29.99%. I have called multiple times to request that the interest be lowered and each time am told that because of that late payment in March of 2004, nothing can be done to lower my rate, despite the fact that I have been making on time payments and significantly reduced the total amount on the card. I have even been told that Chevy Chase Bank Visa is not a charity and that because of the recently enacted rules and regulations by Congress, they can not lower my rate. I find the first statement insulting and the latter statement questionable. I have asked that an account manager call to discuss this and have been told that one would call within 24 – 48 hours, but no one ever calls. It is further distressing to been shown this degree of disrespect and gives the appearance that Chevy Chase Bank customers are only there to be gouged for profit making and not as a type of partnership that is mutually and respectfully beneficial for both Chevy Chase Bank and their customers. In recent e-mail correspondence with the Chevy Chase Bank, there is a continued refusal to lower the rate back to the pre-Iraq travel amount. Furthermore, Chevy Chase Bank absolutely refuses to lower the rate and blames Congress, my ineptitude in not making a payment while my life is in danger, and on the economy. At first I was simply requesting that the interest rate be returned to the original percentage of the card and that Chevy Chase Bank revisit their policies that might lead to punishment of Americans who make one time late payment while their life is in danger. Now, given the type and manner of responses I have received from Chevy Chase Bank, I am asking that the interest rate be retroactively lowered with a corresponding adjustment in the balance on their credit card

Chevy Chase Bank took $70 from my account for insufficient funds even though the money was in my account. Why? Because I had deposited a paper check and it took almost 7 days for it to clear. Will they refund the $70 to my account once it shows that the check has cleared? NOPE! They are crooks. I have been a customer of Chevy Chase for over 10 years. This is the first time they have literally stolen money from me and refused to work with me. As of Friday, once all of my money has cleared, I will be withdrawing from this bank. I am extremely disappointed in Chevy Chase. I urge customers not to bank at Chevy Chase.