WaMu To Close 299 Branches, Many In Chicago
Chase has announced that they will be closing 299 branches, 57 of them in the Chicago-area alone. The Daily Herald says that most of the branches are across the street or down the block from existing Chase branches and consolidation is necessary. The remaining WaMu branches will be converted to the Chase brand.
From the Daily Herald:
Washington Mutual, better known as WaMu, worked furiously to open about 180 branches in 2003 to 2004, but then closed about 60 of them over the last two years. WaMu then became the largest U.S. bank to fail and was scooped up by JPMorgan Chase last September.
The current consolidation will merge Chase and WaMu branches that likely are across the street or down the block from each other. Customers should continue using their WaMu checks and debit/ATM card and their same account numbers, even if their branch is consolidating into a nearby Chase branch.
By Jan. 27, customers could learn whether a WaMu branch is affected by going to www.wamu.com, clicking on "locations" and entering their WaMu branch location.
WaMu branches to close [Daily Herald]
(Photo:knightraven)
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Comments:
I guess they should have listened to all the stodgy old white guys after all.
It's another example of the slow but relentless change in the way all types of commerce take place.
I abandoned my brick and mortar bank a couple of years ago and have no regrets. Anything I need to do can be done at through my credit union at home on my computer. With direct deposit, online bill pay, and the occasional telephone call, I've closed on a mortgage, financed two cars, and paid all my bills.
Some folks will be have to be dragged into the 21st century, whether they like it or not.
That photo makes me LOL every time I see it.
That picture is inaccurate! Shiner Bock can't be bought in Illinois!
I know... I have had to visit Chicago before, and go without. (Something about no distributor.) =(
@Nakko:
Really? I live in Chicago and got it at my local liquor store as recently as this summer. Although, maybe my liquor store is just sneaky like that. I love you Vas Foremost!
They'll probably close the two WaMu branches in my neighborhood (Sunnyside/Woodside, NY). They're literally right across the street from an existing Chase branch. I would be very surprised if they don't.
The ironic thing is: Both of the current WaMu locations stand in the exact same footprint of the former Chase branches! Those branches were originally made redundant when Chemical Bank acquired Chase Manhattan (and adopted the Chase brand) in the late '90's.
Lightning does strike at the same place twice!
You mean, there will be no more commercials about old, unclothed men being "free as a barn swallow"?
The Chase bank closest to me is in a Dominick's and the WaMu bank is about 4 storefronts down. So yeah, just reiterating what the Daily Herald said.
@Nakko: are you sure? I am fairly certain that I have seen it in my local Binny's Beverage Depot...and I believe it is available in East Central Illinois as well.
WaMu advertised on a racist platform and I was itching for them to go under from the beginning. I couldnt WAIT to see them fail.
@mpaquette: Not all companies offer DD. A friend was just told that to save money DD was being discontinued at her place of employment. It doesnt seem to make sense, but some brilliant mind thought it was.
Not that I doubt it, but could you cite some sort of evidence for that claim? I can't recall ever seeing an advertisement for WaMu that I felt was racist.
@Sean Porter: Maybe davan is referring to the young black man vs old white men commercials?
I wouldn't have said that's racist, just incorrect, seeing as WaMu was just as bad as the other banks they were claiming to be different from.
@Sean Porter: I think Davan is referring to all the "other" bankers in their commercials as being old white men. Personally, I thought they were making fun of the cliche of a banker, and not racist at all, but what do I know?
I'm in Chicago, from Peoria originally, and I've seen it all over in both Cities.
Not saying that you are, but go to places like Sam's Wine and Spirits (in Chicago), or Friar Tuck's (in Peoria). They're both gold mines for booze.
@Chongo: Hey Chongo, assuming you mean Lincoln Square Chicago...
I know the Chase branch next to the coldstone off Lincoln - where's the WaMu branch?
@catcherintheeye: Its just down the block on lincoln and wilson.
@mpaquette: I am a freelancer. No DD for me.
I am still trying to find out if WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden is going to become some sort of Chase Theater at MSG. Anyone know? Personally, I would hope it just becomes "The Theater at MSG" so we don't have any corporate name attached to it. Yeah, just a fantasy, I know.
@Nakko: Actually, my best friend is the Shiner bock rep for the chicagoland area... so yes, Shiner (and shiner dark) are offered all over the place. Now, that dosn't mean its any good! ;)
@Nakko: I live like 2 hours away from Shiner, Texas...unfortunately, drinking 2000 calories of beer a night caught up with me so my New Years Resolution was no dark beer and lose 15 pounds...it sucks.
It is unfortunate for the poor workers who are at the branch level who will loose their jobs, but the executives who are making these decsions will not suffer one bit. The Gov't bailed out these banks but people are still loosing their jobs. And for poor stifs like me that have had a bank discrepency can not seem to get things resolved. Customer service????mmm what's that. There is no such thing any more! I went to WaMu from Wells because they did have customer service but from the 45+day ordeal that I am dealing with currently with WaMu and their online bill pay service....I have had enought of the BIG banks.
@blue_streak: It's definitely a grey area. Since they invoked race into the stereotype, I'm afraid people have a valid claim.
My local branch here in outer Orlando is closing. I'm really considering the local credit union, cheaper rates as well.
@COELACANTH: Give me a break. If it were a white guy with a bunch of black guys he had behind him and he were making fun of their stupid business practices, the country would be up in arms. They would literally be burning the advertising agency.
For the first time ever, I hope the Wamu in Lincoln Square becomes a Citibank.
I hate when banks take over a perfect spot for a cool restaurant or store, but the selfish in me needs to be able to walk to deposit my paycheck instead of taking a damn bus.