Citi problems
 

The thread about overseas customer service reminds me of my current issue with Citi.

I've been trying to get a partial release from my mortage so I can do a rather minor land swap with my neighbor to settle a setback issue with some construction I want to do. You wouldn't believe the amount of material they wanted for the application - including a $300 app fee. So, I jumped through all the hoops - surveys, appraisals, etc. - and sent if off. They say the process takes 6-8 weeks. That was 5 months ago (the check for the app fee was cashed last October). All inquiries are directed to the specific office, that office's voicemail is full, calls are not returned, nobody knows anything. My financial advisor is affilitated with Citi (ever since Citi bought Smith Barney), she can't get anywhere with them either. Unfortunately, she is about to lose my account because I am about to sever all ties with anything Citi. Damn shame because I am otherwise really happy with her. If Citi can't handle this trivial affair, I shudder to think how they will handle things if and when the real $hit hits the fan.

My last resort is to refinance my relatively small mortage with a local bank that won't be so difficult to deal with. I would expect they would take one look at the proposed swap, roll their eyes, and sign off on it. But that's probably the most expensive way out of this mess, since the best current rate i can find is half a point higher than my Citi mortage, not a terrible price to pay since the remaining mortage isn't all that much, but I'd have closing fees to pay. I could also sell stock and just pay off the mortage, but then I get clobbered with taxes - that would definitely be the most expensive solution, although it would also be the most gratifying.

My guess is that every able-bodied person at Citi has been pulled from their usual line and assigned to this sub-prime mess.

Sorry for the Rant. Any suggestions?

I would not deal with any company that charged an application fee. You home town banker sounds like the best venue.

Screw Citi! I hate these damned mega corporations that operate as though they were the federal government. They may own Congress, but dammit, they shouldn't be allowed to act as if they're the IRS. . . .

Citi is crap...plain and simple.