Getting a money transfer from overseas? Don't deposit it at Eastern Bank

Customer Service has gone completely into the crapper since Eastern took over.

Adios Eastern, hello credit union.

Isn't Eastern Bank what gobbled up Wainwright Bank?

Don't attribute to malice what could be incompetence.

I really wanted to like Wainwright, because of their relatively nice reputation. But almost every time I went into any branch, the employees were just not very capable. Compare to the evil Bank of America, which happens to have some capable, helpful people in the two branches I went to.

I ended up closing my Wainwright accounts, which itself was an adventure involving three visits two two branches, employees unable to help me, and a few hours of my time.

I'm now pretty happy with a credit union, which, unlike banks, isn't constantly coming up with new ways to screw me with fees.

I always assumed it basically was impossible to send or receive checks internationally.

Are there other banks that handle it better?

With all the advance fee scams going on, Eastern Bank can't be too careful when it comes to foreign checks.

It isn't just Eastern Bank that does this...the big banks and credit unions also make sure the check is kosher before the monies can be released. The banks can hold checks indefinitely when they're not sure about the check itself. More here: http://banking.about.com/od/checkingaccounts/a/hol...