The Back Alley Archives

Dude, you made it seem like the banks should do "pro bono" for everyone who can't pay for their shit. Now you're saying just sometimes. Then you're indignant that rad would've never guessed that's what you meant.

That's bad form, IMO.

Bank of America Issues 'Hits for Hunger' Challenge to MLB All-Stars During 80th Midsummer Classic
Pledges $5,000 for every recorded hit to benefit Feeding America; Will match fan donations up to $100,000 made to FeedingAmerica.org during MLB All-Star Game
ST. LOUIS, July 7 /PRNewswire/ -- When Major League Baseball All-Stars step to the plate during the 80th Midsummer Classic, they will have an added incentive to produce hits. In response to the growing need for emergency food assistance nationwide, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation will donate $5,000 for every recorded hit in the MLB All-Star Game to Feeding America, the nation's leading hunger-relief organization.


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Bank of America's "Hits for Hunger" program also allows MLB fans to get involved and help support Americans at risk of hunger. Fans can log on to www.feedingamerica.org and make their own contribution to help provide food to people across the country. The Bank of America Charitable Foundation will make the $5,000 per hit contributions and match the total online donations made to Feeding America during the July 14 MLB All-Star Game, up to a maximum contribution of $100,000. Funds generated through "Hits for Hunger" will directly benefit the St. Louis Area Foodbank, one of the 206 food banks in Feeding America's network. The 2009 Major League Baseball All-Star Game is focused on supporting charitable initiatives and celebrating community service.


"Bank of America's support could not come at a better time," said Frank Finnegan, executive director, St. Louis Area Foodbank. "Over the past year, we've seen more than a 15% increase in the need for food from the agencies we support. Whether it's the people who have sought assistance before or the many new faces needing aid, we're going to need help sustaining our efforts to get food on the table over the long haul."


Bank of America's "Hits for Hunger" program builds upon the Bank of America Charitable Foundation's recent $1 million donation to Feeding America. According to a recent survey released by Feeding America, demand at Feeding America's food banks increased an average of 30-percent since last year, with many food banks reporting even higher increases. The survey also found that people are eating less food, smaller meals and even skipping meals because they simply are without funds to buy food. A large portion of the bank's grant was distributed to food banks that provide food and groceries to hundreds of food pantries, soup kitchens, Kids Cafes, senior meal programs and other emergency feeding programs throughout the nation.


"We are extremely grateful to Bank of America for the ongoing support in the fight against hunger in this country," said Vicki Escarra, president and CEO of Feeding America. "With 36 million people currently at risk of hunger across the country, it is important now more than ever that we raise awareness and join together to fight domestic hunger. We greatly appreciate Bank of America's engagement in the cause."


Bank of America is a long-standing supporter of Feeding America and its network of food banks across the country. Since 2008, the foundation has contributed over $2 million to Feeding America and its food rescue affiliates, while bank associates volunteered nearly 8,000 hours to assist with hunger relief efforts. During the bank's Global Service Month in April, Bank of America's support of communities across the country in need of basic services took on a human face as thousands of associates volunteered their time and resources and provided over 300,000 meals and 100,000 pounds of food for low income individuals and their families.


"The All-Star Game creates an opportunity to work with our partners at MLB and the Cardinals to enhance our collective giving both nationally and here in St. Louis," said Pat Mercurio, Bank of America Missouri president. "The funds we raise will help to ensure that vulnerable populations supported by the St. Louis Area Foodbank have access to emergency food and other basic services, at a time when they are in dire need."


About Feeding America

Feeding America is the nation's leading hunger-relief organization, which provides support to 25 million Americans every year, including 9 million children and 3 million seniors. The 206 food banks in Feeding America's network serve the entire United States and support more than 63,000 agencies across the country, including soup kitchens and food pantries. For more information on how you can fight hunger in your community and across the country, visit www.feedingamerica.org.


About St. Louis Area Foodbank

The St. Louis Area Foodbank will feed hungry people by distributing food through its member agencies, and will educate the public about the nature of and the solutions to the problems of hunger. It gathers and distributes nearly 14 million pounds of food each year to 500+ food pantries, homeless shelters, soup kitchens and emergency feeding programs throughout 14 counties in Eastern Missouri and 12 counties southwestern Illinois. For more, visit www.stlfoodbank.org.


About Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy

Building on a long-standing tradition of investing in the communities it serves, Bank of America this year embarked on a new, ten-year goal to donate $2 billion to nonprofit organizations engaged in improving the health and vitality of their neighborhoods. Funded by Bank of America, the Bank of America Charitable Foundation gave more than $200 million in 2008, making the bank the most generous financial institution in the world and the second largest donor of all U.S. corporations in cash contributions. Bank of America approaches investing through a national strategy called "neighborhood excellence" under which it works with local leaders to identify and meet the most pressing needs of individual communities. Through Team Bank of America, bank associate volunteers contributed more than 900,000 hours in 2008 to enhance the quality of life in their communities nationwide. For more information about Bank of America Corporate Philanthropy, please visit www.bankofamerica.com/foundation.

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SOURCE: Bank of America

Web site: http://www.bankofamerica.com/

The JPMorgan Chase Foundation Matching Gift Program provides employees an important voice in the direction of the company's philanthropic dollars. The company has a long-standing commitment to encourage and stimulate giving by matching contributions to not-for-profit organizations. JPMorgan Chase was one of the first corporations to offer its employees matching gifts in 1959 and, today, is proud of the breadth of its global matching gift program.

In 2005, more than 6,900 not-for-profit organizations received more than $6,900,000 due to approximately 30,000 gifts from 13,000 donors.

Chase Launches Proprietary Rewards Program Providing Unique Rewards, Benefits & Services
Chase Ultimate RewardsSM is available on Chase FreedomSM and the new Chase SapphireSM– with millions of reward redemption opportunities and a best-in-class online experience

WILMINGTON, Del. - June 4, 2009 - Chase Card Services, a division of JPMorgan Chase & Co. [NYSE: JPM], today announced the launch of Ultimate RewardsSM, available on Chase FreedomSM and the new Chase SapphireSM. Ultimate Rewards enriches the rewards experience with millions of redemption options that customers can use today. Cardmembers can view rewards activity, earn bonus points for shopping, redeem points, book entire travel itineraries, and search for and reserve a restaurant through a single, comprehensive Web site that provides maximum simplicity and ease of navigation.

"Ultimate Rewards has reinvented the rewards experience for Chase cardmembers by providing virtually limitless opportunities to earn and redeem points," said Eileen Serra, president, Chase Card Services. "Cardmembers can redeem points for literally millions of redemption options, simply by logging into ultimaterewards.com or calling Chase customer service. Ultimate Rewards provides cardmembers with the ability to earn points on every single dollar of spending, with no points earning caps, no points expiration, and virtually no restrictions on air travel."

A World-Class Rewards Program and Customer Experience
Every aspect of Ultimate Rewards is designed to provide maximum flexibility, simplicity, and accessibility - from the Ultimate Rewards Web site to customer service to comprehensive annual program guides. All of Ultimate Rewards' features and functionality are available at www.ultimaterewards.com and also at www.chase.com. Core program attributes include:

•One-to-One Points Earning - Customers receive at least one point for every dollar they spend - everywhere, every day, from dollar one. There are no earning tiers or merchant restrictions.

•No Points Caps or Points Expiration Dates on Rewards Points - There is no limit to the number of points a customer can earn each year, no limit to the number of redemptions, and no points expiration.

•Double Points On Airline Travel - Cardmembers earn two points for every dollar they spend on air travel when they use the Ultimate Rewards Online Travel Tool and pay with a Chase credit card.

•Bonus Earn Opportunities - Cardmembers earn up to 10 bonus points per dollar of spend when shopping with a Chase card online at more than 300 leading retailers who participate in the Ultimate Rewards Bonus Mall. The Bonus Mall is updated regularly with great new offers from participating merchants.

•Redeem Points For Over 3 Million Merchandise Items - Chase is providing superior incentive and consumer reward fulfillment with Ultimate Rewards. Through its provider relationships, Chase is purchasing Amazon.com sourced inventory and leveraging Amazon fulfillment services. Cardmembers can enjoy real-time access to millions of reward options from today's latest electronics models to house wares to sporting goods to outdoor equipment and more. Chase and Amazon also have a long-standing partnership since 2002 with the launch of the Amazon.com Rewards card.

•Ultimate Rewards Online Travel Tool - Cardmembers can redeem points for airline tickets on most major airlines, any class, anywhere, anytime. There are no restrictions or blackout dates for airline travel redemptions. Customers can book flights using points, cash, or any combination of points and cash. The Ultimate Rewards Online Travel Tool also offers the ability to browse and reserve hotels, car rentals, and airport parking, so cardmembers can book an entire travel itinerary in a single visit to the site.

•Great Gift Cards - Cardmembers can redeem points for gift cards from 65 great retailers, e-tailers, restaurants, travel companies and entertainment providers.

•Cash Back - Customers can receive Cash Back anytime by redeeming points for a Rewards Check. In addition, a unique feature, "Pay Yourself Back", enables customers to shop for the reward of their choice and repay themselves using points by requesting a statement credit. Rewards Checks start at $50.

•Restaurant Reviews & Reservations - Cardmembers can browse through Zagat.com restaurant reviews, search for restaurants using a host of search criteria, locate their restaurant using the restaurant mapping tool, and book a reservation online at any one of over 10,000 restaurants worldwide via OpenTable - all within the Ultimate Rewards Web site.

•Travel Rewards Point Transfers - For select cardmembers, Ultimate Rewards provides the ability to transfer points at full value into the rewards programs of Continental Airlines, British Airways, Marriott International, and InterContinental Hotels Group (1 Ultimate Rewards point = 1 travel rewards point). Access to Travel Rewards Point Transfers requires payment of an annual card fee.

"Ultimate Rewards is redefining what rewards should be - a customer-friendly, easy-to-use rewards program that is chock full of opportunities to earn and redeem rewards, without earning caps, airfare blackout dates or points expiration," said Rob Rosenblatt, general manager, Loyalty, Chase Card Services. "With a world-class Ultimate Rewards Web site, featuring a highly intuitive design and ease of navigation, plus the Ultimate Rewards Bonus Mall and the Ultimate Rewards dining tools, we're giving our customers new reasons to come back each and every day."

Chase Freedom

Chase Freedom is Chase's most popular proprietary rewards/cash back credit card, offering cardmembers the ability to redeem for cash back, travel, and much more. Chase Freedom will now offer customers the ability to earn Ultimate Rewards on every purchase, with no caps and no expiration dates, good for cash back, as well as all of the Ultimate Rewards redemption options. There is no annual or program fee for Chase Freedom with Ultimate Rewards. Through ongoing quarterly promotions, cardmembers can earn triple Ultimate Rewards in rotating categories such as gas, home improvement and department stores. Chase Freedom will also offer the opportunity to earn additional points on certain purchases all the time for a low program fee. Cardmembers can earn up to 10 points per dollar when they shop online at select merchants featured at the Ultimate Rewards Bonus Mall.

Chase Freedom now incorporates Purchase Protection and Fraud Protection features. With Purchase Protection, Chase reimburses eligible items up to $250 in value that are lost, stolen, damaged and the difference when a customer finds the item for less within 60 days of purchase with a Chase Freedom credit card. Chase also will reimburse Chase Freedom customers for up to $250 within 60 days of purchase if the merchant won't accept the item as a return. Current customer accounts will be upgraded automatically to include these features at no cost.

New Chase Sapphire Also Offers Ultimate Rewards

Chase Sapphire, a new premium rewards card, is the culmination of a significant research effort geared toward understanding the unmet needs of today's affluent consumer. The product offers an outstanding array of product benefits including premier travel benefits, premium customer service, Ultimate Rewards and practical benefits such as enhanced identity theft protection and upgraded purchase protection. Chase Sapphire is currently available to existing Chase customers, and will launch nationwide this summer. Chase Sapphire Preferred, offering point transfers into select travel rewards programs, will be available this summer at an annual fee of $95.

About JPMorgan Chase & Co.
JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE: JPM) is a leading global financial services firm with assets of $2.1 trillion and operations in more than 60 countries, and the company has issued about 159 million credit cards in the United States and Canada. The firm is a leader in investment banking, financial services for consumers, small business and commercial banking, financial transaction processing, asset management and private equity. A component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average, JPMorgan Chase & Co. serves millions of consumers and businesses in the United States and many of the world's most prominent corporate, institutional and government clients under its J.P. Morgan, Chase, and WaMu brands. Information about JPMorgan Chase & Co. is available at www.jpmorganchase.com.

Washington Mutual will eliminate surcharges at California ATMs in a move likely to rekindle debate over the amount banks charge non-customers for using their machines.

Last year, Santa Monica and San Francisco outlawed ATM surcharges, which can range as high as $3 per transaction. The ordinances prompted a legal battle between the cities and California’s two largest banks, Wells Fargo and Bank of America.

“It’s a very gutsy move to move up in the esteem of California consumers,” said Charlotte Chamberlain, a banking analyst with Jeffries & Company Inc. in Los Angeles.

Based on deposits, Seattle-based Washington Mutual is the third-largest bank operating in California, with 548 branches and nearly 1,000 ATMs statewide.

No Comment from Other Banks Washington Mutual had planned to announce its new policy today, but confirmed plans for the change after word leaked out Monday. Most banks were closed Monday because of the Columbus Day holiday.

Bank of America, based in Charlotte, N.C., and San Francisco-based Wells Fargo are No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. A spokeswoman for Wells Fargo declined to comment. A call to Bank of America offices in San Francisco was not immediately returned.

“By eliminating our surcharge, we have a great opportunity to show potential customers who we are, what we stand for and how we operate differently from other financial institutions,” said Mike Amoto, manager of Washington Mutual’s ATM network. “We expect to add new accounts by doing so.”

Eliminating fees will cost Washington Mutual no more than 5 cents per share annually, Chamberlain said. Washington Mutual earned $896.8 million, or $1.75 per share, on revenues of $6.53 billion during the first six months of 2000.

Bill Ehrlich, a Washington Mutual spokesman, said Washington Mutual does not charge for ATM service in any other state.

Fees Will Go to Charity Washington Mutual will donate $1.50, the amount it previously charged non-customers to use its ATMs, to charity for every non-customer transaction that occurs between Oct. 23 and Oct. 30. The bank also will make an initial donation of $100,000 to kick off the campaign.

Donations
As a leader in community investment, CIBC is committed to supporting causes that matter to our clients, our employees and our communities. We aim to make a difference through corporate donations, sponsorships and the volunteer spirit of employees. With a strategic focus on youth, education and health and employee support for causes including the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure, the CIBC World Markets Children's Foundation and the United Way, CIBC is investing in the social and economic development of communities across the country.

In 2007, the CIBC group of companies contributed more than $36 million globally to charitable and nonprofit initiatives. Of this, more than $27 million was invested in Canada, including more than $20 million in charitable donations, supporting a wide variety of national, regional and local organizations.

CIBC World Markets Miracle Day
Miracle Day is a one-day event held each December, during which Wholesale Banking and CIBC Wood Gundy sales and trading staff donate their fees and commissions to children's charities. To learn more, visit the CIBC World Markets Children's Foundation website.
Learn more

CIBC Youthvision™
Through CIBC Youthvision, we contribute to education, mentoring and skills development programs aimed at helping Canadian youth reach their full potential.
Learn more

Community Investment
CIBC supports a variety of causes through donations and community sponsorships on a national, regional and local level to strengthen communities across Canada. See just a few of the many organizations we support.
Learn more

Employee as Ambassador Program
CIBC employees are active volunteers in their communities. We encourage their commitment by donating up to $1,000 to not-for-profit organizations where our employees volunteer.
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™ CIBC Youthvision is a trademark of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce.

CIBC World Markets and CIBC Wood Gundy Investment Advisors, sales and trading staff, donate their fees and commissions to children's charities. A proud tradition since 1984, the success of Miracle Day is based on the participation and generosity of our clients, employees and our charitable partners. To date, the Foundation has raised $190 million for children's charities.
Together, we are making a difference in the lives of children."