First National Bank of Omaha

I opted to pursue my PPP with FNBO over Chase and Square due to my history with banking here and aiming to support a small bank, but they are making me regret it. The 1st round in the spring I gave them the benefit of the doubt since it was chaos, but it's the same tune behind the times of every other bank still almost a year later. My next pandemic/emergency will see my small business working with another bank. Once this blows over, I am relocating all of my personal and business accounts. It's unfortunate, I liked them up until but this is about business and money in the end.

So I then called the clowns at First Bankcard (First National Bank of Omaha) and talked to a real pleasant CSR (sarcasm). She explained the credit bureau reported an address out of state in Missouri. I said yes, that is one of our condos. I said this process is laughable as my credit score is near the top of the chart. I asked if they were going to issue the card or not. Her response was the request was denied. Very well. I didn't need the card and will make sure First National Bank of Omaha will never have my business, ever.

When I signed up for the card, one benefit was a 5,000 point anniversary bonus ($50 value) with $10,000 in annual spending. A few years ago, that benefit was increased to 10,000 points ($100 value), but only for card holders who signed up after the date of the change. Long-time customers got the short-end of the change, as they flat-out refused to change my account over to the new account terms. I was told that the only way to get the 10,000 point anniversary bonus was to close my account, then re-apply (damaging my credit score in the process). Fine, their card, their rules, but not customer-friendly at all. Real big-boy banks can do product changes without a problem, FNBO does their best to not help their customers. Strike one.

I tried to get the annual fee reduced, eliminated, or offset with a point bonus to try and offset the inequality between my benefits as a long-time customer and the benefits offered to more recent customers. No way, no how, not possible, said FNBO. Strike two. I do paperless billing, so I was not aware of my annual fee posting until after it did. I paid off my card except for the $69 annual fee, and called within 20 days of the annual fee being posted. I politely requested to have the annual fee removed and to close my card. I was informed that since a transaction had posted after my annual fee posted (even though I had since paid that off), that they could close my account, but there would be no refund of the annual fee. In other words, I'd be stuck paying the fee for a year for 20 days worth of use.

Literally EVERY other credit card company will refund the annual fee when closing an account within 30 days of the annual fee posting. First Bankcard will not, since they're out to do everything they can to give their customers the short end of the stick. I spoke to a supervisor who agreed that there was no way to get the annual fee refunded. Strike three.

This is a third-rate bank with the most customer-UNfriendly policies in the business. Avoid them at all costs. Also pay no attention to their canned reply "apologizing for the inconvenience" -- they don't care at all, they just want your money. The fact that every review here is one-star should be a pretty good indication of their level of service.

When it was time for my payment, I made a partial payment. They followed up with a collection call, and I explained my situation again. Telling them since I am in Florida, the worst state now for Covid 19, that my finances were still in poor shape. I also mentioned that my State Farm Bank and Wells Fargo were much more understanding by, not only allowing 4 months of no min payments, but also no interest. The lady told me that they were going to have a new Covid 19 plan in place by the next day and she would call me. This was last Friday. I received 3 calls from them, but each time I answered, it would disconnect me. On Sunday, they reported me to the credit bureau as late. On Monday, I finally got a call from another rep. I explained that the previous rep had promised to call me on Friday and never did. She was supposed to have a plan to help me. The new rep checked my history and confirmed my story. She said that she would get back to me.

Next thing I get is a report from Equifax saying that they place my entire account as past due. This caused my credit to drop 72 points! One of my credit cards, with no balance, and also paid in full each time canceled my account. This was my emergency card for health care. This bank has shown no special care during these troubled times, and I want everyone to know how poorly they treat their customers during a global pandemic. Every other bank has shown a heart, but not First National Bank of Omaha. My final words to First National Bank of Omaha, understand that people all over this world are having serious financial and health burdens thrust on them. Make a plan to help them, as banks were assisted years ago when they were in trouble....remember the bail out??? Your lack of good customer service is regrettable, as another month would have been a lifesaver.