I called TDBank today about a NFS Fee that they charged me. I used to only use WaMu as my bank but, I had decided to open another account at TDBank–then Commerce Bank–when I heard news of WaMu bank runs in the midwest. I was just trying to be safe.

Chase eventually bought WaMu for a fraction if its worth and I was not happy about it. I still bank with WaMu and will continue to do so as long as their service is still WaMu service. Chase service is notoriously crappy. So I use my two bank accounts for different things.

My TDBank account is really where I put money to pay monthly bills and recurring expenses so I never put more money than I need in that account–at least not until I have to have a minimum balance in there! So one of my checks bounced recently because I tried buying a MetroCard at a MetroCard Vending Machine.

The machine had trouble charging my debit card but, eventually did it correctly and dispensed me a card. Great. However, TDBank then held onto the money that did not result in me getting a MetroCard. My actual account balance did not look underfunded but, my available balance did–by the amount of the money held for failed transactions.

So when the check a wrote goes to be deposited, TDBank says my account does not have sufficient funds so I get slapped with a NSF Fee. Fine. Now, I did not know that the check will continue to try clearing after a failed first attempt. So I was hit with another NSF Fee.

I called TDBank asking what that was about and found out that the check is going to try a few times before it gives up. Interesting. After discovering that, I did not expect the customer service representative to do anything but, he removed the second NSF Fee! That was an unexpected surprise.

TDBank is still no WaMu but, I am pleased with my customer service experience. They do call themselves America’s Most Convenient Bank and in this case, they delivered on their message.