Online banking is nothing new, at least not for the tech savvy-ish. But, there are always times when a face-to-face in the bank is preferable when you need to get something accomplished. With Bank of America's new free checking gimmick, however, the bank doesn't want you inside their branches or at their drive-up windows. You can use the ATM, you can use the website, you can probably call, but leave the tellers alone.

According to the bank's website, "If you choose to receive paper statements or use a teller for deposits or withdrawals, you will be charged an $8.95 monthly maintenance fee."

Meanwhile, the bank is dropping other free checking accounts — like those for college students — unless those account holders meet certain requirements.

Let's be real: when banks make these types of decisions or introduce these types of products, they're not trying to do you a favor. Bank of America isn't your buddy and they're not looking out for your best interests. It's about making money, and charging fees is one way to do that. Of course, the big dogs making these decisions aren't buddies with the tellers in this scenario either. There's no word yet on how many tellers will be laid off because their jobs are now automated ... you have to know that news is coming.

Something that got me in today's report from The Charlotte Observer is a comment from an economic researcher, Brian Moeb, that the bank's plan is to "trim lower-income customers." He reportedly thinks charging customers fees for interacting with the bank's staff is "a great idea."

Wow. Well, OK. All you lower-income customers out there, you're on notice.

Of course, since Bank of America isn't always known for their outstanding customer service, maybe being pushed out of the bank for being too low-income is a good thing. I stopped banking at BofA a decade ago and can report I'm happier not being one of their customers.

Today, when I go to my bank, I'm greeted by name, asked how I'm doing in a way that makes me think the teller actually cares and, slowly but surely, the teller and I are getting to know each other through our two minute meetings every week. When we return from vacation, she asks how we liked it. When we bought a new car, she marveled at it with us. From my side, I'm fascinated by my teller's endless collection of costume jewelry. That woman likes her bling. She also has a very cute granddaughter who occasionally comes to work with her. Because of her, going by the bank now feels less like a chore and has actually become enjoyable. But, she's not the only teller within my bank who's like that. When I go to a branch, clear across town, on behalf of my mother-in-law or to access our safe deposit box, they, too, greet us by name, ask how we're doing and seem genuinely interested when we answer.

Sure, my husband and I do 98 percent of our banking online, but, still, I like it when the company that holds onto all of our money actually gives a shit about us as individuals rather than as a cluster of accounts. Call me crazy.

So, out of curiosity, I went to YouTube to see if I could find some videos detailing what other people think of Bank of America's customer service. Here are three, and all are dissatisfied: