I really really like TD. I have lots of associates in banking and they famously curse out TD for forcing other Canadian banks to open until 8PM and be open on Sundays. It's a customer-service business - get with the times.
And come on - the colour scheme is green. I'm not American but I agree with D'Angelo Barksdale: "Money be green". Or at least it should be. And green and black are the only acceptable colours for credit and debit cards - in my world, at least.
I also like the fact I'm on a account with free fully loaded rewards Visa, no-fee foreign ATM usage, preferred exchange rates, US banking and a included safety deposit box.
The only major downside is that it's relatively hard to find a TD ATM. Unlike CIBC (partnered with 7-11) and RBC (partnered with Chevron) - you pretty much have to visit a TD if you want to save a buck or two on ATM fees. But I found it extremely awesome that TD has branches in NYC and a few other major urban hubs in US East Coast.
So why so harsh on the rating? Well - the customer service is actually *too 'good'* for my liking - it feels forced. I do the majority of my banking online - and only go to the bank in person when absolutely necessary. I can tolerate strained customer chitchat in most cases - but I *loathe* chitchat when I'm dealing with money. Don't speak to me when I'm handling money, entering a password/PIN or at the urinal - I'm handling items of high value, don't distract me. I need to focus.
... no, I don't want to talk about why I'm grabbing so much USD in clean, crisp bills...
... no, it's not for Illuminati tithes or for a ransom...
... yes, I am travelling somewhere - I don't see why 'where' is relevant...
... yes, I am aware it is cold/hot/rainy/dry lately...
... no, I don't care about how the local sports and/or college team is doing...
... yes, I have heard about these 'Canucks'...
... yes, I'm aware you don't think I should keep so much in my chequing account...
... no, I don't want to speak to a financial advisor/buy product...
... yes, I am in a hurry...
... yes, I am getting annoyed...
... seriously, all these questions... what are you? A cop?
I'm not usually so standoff-ish - but I really don't want to launch into a public conversation with a stranger that has access to my financial information. Some people might like this fawning and friendly 'customer service' - but please, in the words of the warrior-poet Ol' Dirty Bastard: "Girl, you better give me that money! Aow!" Just be anonymous and service me like a... well... you get the idea.
Once TD ATMs dispense US cash - I'll give them 5-stars. When it comes to banking, I prefer the cold, hollow embrace of a machine... they know to avoid eye contact when I'm handling money. read more