I received notice from one of my banks with the most draconian new change of terms I’ve seen in a while.   The terms are so draconian that there is even a clause in the agreement that I cannot link to the bank without their express explicit permission!   But the terms include some of the following for my “free” banking:

“I understand that to use <bank online services>, I must first obtain access to the Internet with compatible hardware, software and web browser.”

So my “free” banking and “free” online bill pay now requires that I have and pay for my own internet access, hardware, software and web-browser.   OK, so you would need that anyway right if you’re going to bank online so what’s the big deal?   Well the big deal is that the bank is now REQUIRING that I get all my statements online.  In essence, they no longer plan on sending out paper statements so the burden is now on me to have a computer with internet access to get my statements from the bank!

“You are also responsible for maintaining your own connection to the Internet. Internet connections are not part of the services of <my bank>. Furthermore, we recommend that you also have a printer connected to the computer from which you are accessing your account so that you may print and save these disclosures and other information you receive electronically, including your online statement. You understand that you are responsible for installation, maintenance and operation of your computer and its software. You assume full responsibility of ensuring these requirements are met should any changes be made to your existing computer system. The Bank is not responsible for any errors or failures of your computer or its software.”

So printer, toner, paper are now all on my dime to print out the disclosures, statements and anything else the bank wants to send me!

“You understand that you may create a bookmark in your web browser to the Bank home page. You may not create any link to either the  Bank home page or any other of the Bank’s web site pages without the written approval of  Bank, including, without limitation, a link on a publicly accessible web site.”

Wow, I wish I could link to the bank page to show you but I’d get in trouble.   Oh well, not to worry, I’ll be closing my account before the terms take effect next month.