Poppy Bank Reviews (1)

Applied for the Joint 5.50% Hi Yield Savings special. (Note: some places reference it is guaranteed for 6 months, other parts of website only guarantee rate for 3 months). We applied and surprising denied in an email 3 hours latter. Last year, First Foundation (FFB) bank denied us for a similar savings account. I had them on the phone within minutes and learned there was one mistake (cannot recall whose side it was on - ours or theirs, I think their side), plus when the FFB rep called our VM "was not set up". For years I have never activated my VM, it just wastes time transcribing messages. Anyone legitimate has my number, can call or text and I answer most calls live. I explained this year to FFB and a year later it a mutually rewarding relationship. Turning attention back to Poppy Bank, I immediately got them on the phone. I explained to the rep this is a CREDIT account. I further pointed out it is a SAVINGS account so there is zero risk, no risk of bounced checks (we have never had any) or any other liability to the bank. I stated as I had to FFB earlier this had to be a misunderstanding or some initial or something not matching up to a T on the credit report and I was hoping we could overcome that. (1) Rep stated I had to go through the process of drafting a letter to the third party service bank uses on the denial email requesting a copy of why we got denied. This will take about a month - who knows if the rate is still there then or if they have raised all the capital needed. (2) I live 15 minutes from a local branch and offered to present with a passport and every ID I have, but was told that was not possible because this is an "online" account. (3) *Special Note: I will review the account agreement for the 5.50% savings special to ascertain if we can open very low paying, in branch savings accounts THEN go and open online accounts once we are known to the bank. I need to confirm that doing (ie, being an existing bank customer) would invalidate the account. Disposition: 3 stars for now (one for ease of reaching a live person even though the two reps we interfaced with seemed poorly informed they were very friendly and tried to be helpful, a second star for high rate offering and a 3rd star just because it is "in the middle" right now while I hope we can work things out and I think the high road, in all fairness to the bank at this early stage since 2.5 stars is not an option is rank at 3.0 stars and re-adjust (or submitted a new review if I cannot re-adjust) at a later date.