WATCH VIDEO TESTIMONIALS FROM KIM, STEPHANIE AND BRIAN (PARTS ONE AND TWO)

“Arianna Huffington, As a consertative blue collar worker I’m pretty much the opposite of you in almost every way….and I almost never agree with anything that you have to say…but on this one issue you are 100% correct. I moved all my savings to a local credit union and a couple of regional banks. Better interest rates, better service, and if they make bad decisions they just go out of business ( I don’t have to bail them out).
One last comment: The CEO of my primary regional bank? He does an excellent job and makes about $200,000 per year…..not $20 million per year….$200,000 per year.”
CollectiveNotIndividual

“I am bits and bytes of financial history on a computer screen. My character is absent from the data. Humanity is not part of the equation. If my mechanic, dentist and doctor had merged like the banks, odds are my tooth would still ache, that spot on my arm would have turned into skin cancer, my girl friend’s car would still be stuck in snow.”
Robert S.W.

“Just went and closed out my largest savings account with Wells Fargo, they didn’t even care to ask why I was leaving. Guess my little measly accounts don’t mean much. I have to wait til the rest of my debits clear and then I can close the balance out. While it has been a bit of a pain in the rear establishing a new bank, it’ll be worth it in the long run.”
Ursula H.

“One month ago. Goodbye Chase, Hello Redwood Credit Union.
It was easy and the inconvenience was minimal. If capitalism that actually benefits the folks at the bottom as much as the people at the top is to succeed, it will be through community oriented institutions and not the consolidated top down model that inevitably captures and pulls money to the upper echelon.
Move your money. Keep it local.”
Jay B.

“Back in the summer I had it with Bank of America and decided to join a local credit union and I have never looked back. Yes it was a pain to move all my online billing, my automatic payments etc. But I have had a pleasant experience with the credit union, I can talk to someone when I call their customer service and they believe in customer loyalty. The more business I do with them, the better the benefits, how it should be.”
Ms C.

“I moved my money to Westerly CCU in Rhode Island. They are a community credit union and they gave my associate, a local health care provider a business loan; she would probably have not gotten money from a big bank. WCCU helps Main street so that’s where my money goes – not to big corporate bonuses after they ripped us off.”
Kathy K.

“It seems like a populist movement to me which is right up my alley, but the daunting task of changing all of my direct deposits and withdrawals stopped me. Finally last week I decided to go with a credit union, so the transition is in process. For anyone who is interested in voting with his or her feet, I suggest you consider it.”
Katie F.H.

“Moved our money and are looking forward to a much better experience with a local, community bank. Let’s keep the ‘move’ment going!”
Jacki M.

“Maybe, just maybe, if enough of us flee the big banks, they will get the message when they end up with a drastic decline in customers. After all, it is our money on deposit in their banks which keeps them afloat and enables them to make loans to other people and other businesses.”
Loretta R.

“Right now, I have savings with one of the large banks. It’s a matter of inertia and business. I need the large bank for business and convenience but I don’t need it for my savings. When the CDs come up for renewal, they will move to a local bank here in Olympia. It’s the right move at the right time. I’ve been wondering what I as an individual can do to force change on a resistant economic system. One power I have is in my personal decisions; I control my investments and will no longer allow them to support brigands whose only motive is profit, profit and more profit.”
Rez Dog

“I moved my money to my local bank – and the Bank manager wrote me a hand-written note welcoming me as a client. Amazing!”
Brain M.

“My husband and I have had our accounts with Palos Bank & Trust for 10 years now and we love it! It is our community bank in Palos Heights, Illinois. We know the people who work there and they know us. In fact the mayor of our city also works at the bank. He and we and other members of the bank belong to various Rotary clubs in the area. For 3 years now, we have even used this bank for our Rotary District conference. I wouldn’t transfer to one of those big banks for all the money in the world! (No pun intended.) With them you are only an account number. With community banks, you are a real person. I would strongly encourage all citizens to transfer your monies to the local bank in your area. We have to support one another and this is a great way to do it.”
Kathy K.

“We had all our investments, credit card and mortgage with Wells Fargo, with a strong credit history and no problems. In February 2009 we tried to refinance to take advantage of better rates and they refused to talk to us, telling us after being pressed that they were unable to unbundle are mortgage. We talked to Whitefish Credit Union in Whitefish, Montana, and they were happy to have us as customers. We refinanced, paid off the small balance on our WF credit, and closed all our accounts. Wells Fargo seemed to have no interest in keeping us as customers and we were happy to leave them behind.”
MossyOak

“I moved my money from Bank of America to a credit union, and I thought it would be hard and I would have to write checks again, etc. But they have the same free online bill pay that BofA does. You research the credit unions online to make sure they have the services you used from BofA.”
Brenda L.

“Moved from Wells Fargo (Wachovia) to IBC. I feel good about doing what I could do. Nobody, no free market business should be too big to fail. Let’s help them go on a diet.”
R.M.

“I am leaving [my big bank] next week after almost 20 yrs! I was having online banking problems and made 4 calls to the help desk. I checked my acct online and saw that they charged me $1.50 for excessive phone help. I called and asked them if it was right, they said yes and wouldnt refund it. I explained that I had been with them for 20 years and would leave to go to a credit union. They didnt care. I make decent cash that they will never see again because of a $1.50 charge. See ya”
Tony D.

“Moved my money today…farewell PNC!”
Jacqueline C.

“I moved my money and I’m glad I did and I plan on spreading the word everywhere I go. One day soon I hope big banks will wake and find themselves wondering what hit them – in the wallet.”
Paula P.

“I moved my money from Wells Fargo to my local credit union, and I dont care if its run by D’s or R’s. [...] The key word is “rational” – using reason and intellect to overcome being controlled by emotional fear.”
Brian J.

“You don’t have to pick a side [...] to appreciate the Move Your Money Project.”
Kim S.

“B of A since 84. Told’m to stuff it and moved to a local credit union. Same conveniences, but now I can make an appointment with the CEO!”
Michael P.

“Just left Wells Fargo after 20+ years to join First Tech Credit Union here in Oregon. So glad to send a message by voting with my dollars.”
Diana B.

“It would be nice if this were an issue that everyone, right and left, could come together on!”
Annie S.

“I applaud the efforts of the people of this nation. This effort is a ‘human’ one…not a left, right, religious or non-religious. Real Change starts when the American people rise up and say…Enough is Enough. Move Your Money from these GREEDY banks Today!”
Quint R.

“My nice “personal banker” made the mistake of asking me why I was closing my account. So I told him:
* One of my local banks refunds my ATM fees at other banks.
* My other local bank pays 0.75% interest–on an ordinary checking account.
* Bank of America breaks the law.
* Bank of America closed two out of the three branches in my town.
* Oh, and it’s too big, and presents a systemic risk to the U.S. economy.”
James K.

“sat down and talked directly to the actual ‘President of my bank’ today.. THEE DUDE! and it was empowering. I just closed my Wells Fargo account(s) and opened @ Shoreline Bank.”
Andrew D.

“I have already moved from boa to a local bank. as a matter of fact, the local bank officers know me and my wife by name, and they pride themsleves on that. i have had it with paying boa’s execs with my fees, and allowing them to use my money to pay outrageous bonuses. God bless the USA, and the right to move to a local small bank. if big banks want our business, show respect to the customer, keeping us waiting on hold for 7+ minutes is not good service. my local bank ANSWERS the phone, Amazing!!”
MrJa2009

“I recently moved to a local credit union after I’d received a letter from credit card company stating they were raising my rate on existing balance. The credit union transferred my balance to their visa card, to a lower rate than the old one, AND there was no fee for transferring.”
David S.

“We moved to a local bank yesterday – they were thrilled, welcomed us, we are now getting a higher rate and they gave us a small flatscreen TV!”
John G.

“Two days ater a hurricane blew the roof off my house in 1999, I was at my local TIB/The Island Bank branch in Key West, Florida, withdrawing some money. The branch manager was standing by the teller line, extending emergency loans, on the spot, up to $5K, to any of it’s customers in need. I have long since moved away from the Keys, but I will never forget the kindness extended by TIB and it’s management when I most needed it.”
Charles M.

“I have had my checking and savings at a Credit Union for many years, but my credit card was at a big bank. I’m not sure why I never made the switch before. I pay off my balance every month so the card’s interest rate never mattered to me. The big bank offered “points” on my purchases, I guess I thought that was a big bank feature. It turns out that my credit union offers a no annual fee card that pays points and has a current interest rate of 8.5%! Now the greedy speculators do not get to make a penny off of me!”
Lance M.

“The unchangeable 29.99% (I called to ask 3 times and was 3 times denied) interest rate on my Bank of America Visa wasn’t working for me anymore, so I transfered my balance to a Coastal Federal Credit Union Visa, where my interest rate will be somewhere between 7 and 15%, MAX.”
Kerianne C.

“My wife and I are taking our money from Wells Fargo, and putting it in Mission Bank. And I’m also directing the staff of the non-profit I run, Black Rock Solar, to switch all our accounts from Wells Fargo to New Resource Bank here in SF, which specializes in renewable energy and sustainable communities. Enough of Well’s excuses, we’re leaving…”
Tomprice

“After I learned about the deceptive loan practices by Wells Fargo which exacerbated the mortgage crisis, I made the decision to sever my 13 year relationship with Wells Fargo and move my 5 accounts to Mechanics Bank in Oakland. My move was motivated by principle, but now I am so grateful for all the practical and personal benefits of this new banking relationship with a local bank. My favorite [perks] include: 1. Free checking, 2. No fee ATMS, 3. Personal Banker who knows your name and can find commonsense solutions to problems.”
Yelda B.

“I can’t remember the last time something has come along that truly and equally succeeds in motivating people to drop their red and blue team colors…in favor of pitchforks, torches and a hill. Thank you, Mary Shelley!”
Ron H.

“This screen capture of moveyourmoney.info is being posted around my neighborhood to spread the word!”
Horst S.

“My church made a decision to move its bank account out of Bank of America to a community bank. The church was motivated to do their part to help the local community.”
David A.

“i am going to enroll my local unitarian universalist church in conducting an education program for their members. they are very politically active. i am recommending printing up flyers ‘BREAK UP WITH YOUR BANKSTERS’ [...] you don’t have to take it anymore!”
Barbara B.

“While we’re moving our money, get a credit card from a local bank or credit union and close those “big bank” cards[...] My credit union has never jerked me around with credit card interest rate changes or extra fees. Also, people who’s bank will not help them refinance, like millions of self-employed people like me, should definitely move their money. They use our checking account money for free! I closed out my checking account and moved a large CD to a federal credit union since my bank refused to help me refinance. I’m treated much better at the credit union – they even have a real live local person answering the phone all day long! Imagine that!”
J.B.

“The solution is to change elected reps in D.C. for those who have no financial connections to these banks and vow that banks will not be allowed into their inner circle.”
Don

“I am so encouraged by this idea! I finally feel like we can do something that will impact our nation for good. We already bank with our local bank, but I am closing all credit cards with the big banks. I closed my [big bank credit] card and it felt great!”
Shelly L.

“Thanks for the good work. I often thought that if we could organize something like this it would give us a sense of having some power. My idea was to send a message to the credit card companies by boycotting for one day (or as many days as feasible) the use of any credit cards. Imagine for one day, no one uses their cards.”
Mindy O.

“To get the word out, and keep it spreading after the current wave of media buzz dies down, I recommend that you offer bumper stickers. They could either say, “Move Your Money!” or “I Moved My Money!” I’m going to look into getting some printed for my own cars, and to give to my friends who have also moved their money.”
Ruth S.

“I very much appreciate this encouragement to say, “no!” to a wrong-headed worldview that bails out rich bankers and sends the bill to citizens. You can count on my money being moved [...] to our local First Commercial Bank! Peace, and keep up the good work!”
Jim T.

“This is such an exciting movement! My only suggestion would be to encourage people to not only move their money, but also send a letter to the bank they are leaving that explains why. Imagine the additional impact of thousands of letters from long time customers pouring into the customer service office.”
Lori J.

“Absolutely brilliant best grass roots idea for 2010. We’ve belonged to our local CU for many yrs and held our mortgages through them as well. I’m spreading your message via all my email contacts and Facebook. Very creative use of George Bailey, too!”
Linda Z.

“This transcends any political leanings or ideology.”
Mike P.

“I’m moving my money! I encourage everybody to do the same. If our government won’t represent us, we must represent ourselves. This is a way to vote with our dollars. Thanks for taking the lead.”
Megan M.

“This is an excellent idea!!! We, the “main street” folks can take positive action to make our own statement to businesses/corporations who have behaved badly.”
Patricia B.

“This is a fabulous idea, and the video is wonderfully compelling. I will share the link and move my money.”
Rabbi R.

“I am so glad to see a grass roots movement to motivate people to help loose the hold money center banks have on our political system. A decade ago, my entire financial life was at Citi. My student loans, brokerage, mortgage, credit cards, etc. I have since move all of my accounts out of Citi to a local credit union. The service is great and I am satisfied knowing that my capital and loans and supporting the local economy. Keep up the good work.”
James E.

“I did move everything, including my mortgage, in response to the financial crisis.  Thanks for doing this.”
Meg R.

“This is a wonderful idea…It’s so true that some of the greatest ideas of humankind were born from simplicity. I’m doing it, I’m doing this immediately & telling everyone I know about it..thanks so much for you guys & having that Chrismas dinner chat..”
Myke

“We have ALL our funds in one of the community banks you listed for our zip code.”
Phyllis T.

“We wholeheartedly support this idea and are in the process of moving our financial resources. Chase who at one time had All our financial services has been less than helpful as our economic situation has changed. Some of the employees have been helpful but its the institutional mindset that I see is the problem. Scale and corporatism are two of the central issues and Americans need to realize that their institutions either serve them or we serve the institutions.”
David B.

“I moved my small $25000 savings to my local bank and am encouraging friends and neighbors to do so – they have all been angry over the bail out!!”
Todd H.

“I’ve been thinking recently about getting my money away from the big guys, but I couldn’t put my finger on just why I wanted to do that, even though I despise the fact that big, corporate America has taken my individual power away from me.   Your video of Potter and George Bailey drove it all home for me.  I have significant funds that I am going to move to a local bank, but I think it’s going to take me a while to wean myself off of my financial habits.  Still, it’s a start, and hopefully, as I progress, I’ll improve.”
Linda P.

“I thought of this when the crisis hit. My wife and I transferred our account from Bank of America to our own community bank in Bastrop, TX. I finally convinced her to transfer our home mortgage from Chase to our local bank as well. We are done with the thieves. I am thrilled that this is getting more exposure.”
Bob B.

“I’m with a local bank. They always know my name. I got my student loans through them, too. Now and then, they’ll waive a fee just to thank me for being a customer. I’m proud to let them take care of my money.”
orkid682

“This is a very good way of voting with our dollars and using the marketplace to get what we want instead of hoping our corrupt politicians will take care of it for us… We, the consumer, have the power.”
thinbev

“I have been banking locally with CapFed (KS bank) since 1994 and I totally agree with this video!! Left, Right, Middle, who cares…this is bigger than that!”
greglemke

“Saw this page at the HuffPo, even though I’m a libertarian, not a liberal. It’s a great idea!…”
Joe B.