Long time, no blog...

I was just way too crazy at work (and home), and didn't want to post a blog that was all negative, so I didn't want to write. :)

So, when you piss me off badly, you get a letter, and, if you do something good, you get a letter too. Here is a letter I sent today on my company letterhead:

"Wachovia Bank
Wheaton Financial Center
2800 University Boulevard W
Suite A
Wheaton, MD 20902
Attn: April Sampey

Dear Ms. Sampey,

I just wanted to follow up on the phone conversation that I had with you earlier today and put my thoughts in letter form, which might be easier for you to forward on to others, should you so desire.

Last week, after a long and painful process (outside of Wachovia) to obtain a mortgage that we desired, my partner and I came into your branch late in the day to open up accounts that we will be using during the construction of a new level on our house.

Having dealt with bank employees all my professional career in finance and in my personal life, I had set the bar pretty low for what knowledge the “front line” service employees have regarding accounts, how to get the most ‘bang for your buck’ with what money you have, etc. I was not expecting what we received. We dealt with Mary Hood, and I must tell you she was the most competent, informed, helpful, professional, and courteous individual in a banking environment that either my partner or I have ever dealt with. She obviously embraces diversity as well and did not blink an eye when we initially told her we were domestic partners and why we needed the accounts. While the view of acceptance is increasingly prevalent, I can assure you it is not always the case.

I am, in my professional life, in charge of the banking relationships we maintain. I can happily say that our (nearly 9 million dollars) of investment accounts are with Wachovia Securities (with Jim Fowkes, also one of the most competent individuals I have ever met), and, the next time I need to bid out our lockbox and operating account operations, I plan on including Wachovia in that mix (with now an obvious bias). Also, as soon as I get around to it, I will be moving my (much more modest) personal accounts to your bank.

For such a large bank, I never expected such great service. Job well done!!!

Very truly yours,

Russ Capps
Director of Finance and Administration"

I hope they forward it up the chain, this woman (who was clearly originally an immigrant from somewhere, probably Jamaica) really knew her stuff and was just great to work with.