A National Notice to the Banking Industry

Mr. John Washington
21 hours ago
3 min read

Today, I want to speak plainly—not just for myself, but for millions of Americans who have quietly accepted a banking arrangement that no longer serves them.

This is not an emotional reaction.

This is not financial fear.

This is a reasoned, principled position.

It is time for the banking industry to modernize its relationship with the people who sustain it.

The Core Question Banks Must Answer

Why should Americans continue to entrust large portions of their wealth to institutions that only insure $250,000, while simultaneously profiting from every dollar deposited beyond that limit?

In today’s economy, $250,000 is no longer a meaningful benchmark for long-term financial security, business operations, or wealth preservation. Yet the insurance cap remains unchanged, while banks aggressively encourage higher balances.

That disconnect is not sustainable.

How the Banking Model Really Works

Banks do not simply “hold” money.

They lend it.

They invest it.

They leverage it.

They turn depositor funds into profit-generating assets.

At the same time, Americans are routinely charged:

Monthly account maintenance fees
ATM fees for accessing their own money
Penalties for convenience and mobility
Restrictions and delays on funds they legally own

The depositor assumes the risk.

The bank enjoys the reward.

That is not a partnership—it is a one-sided arrangement.

Fees Without Equity Are Not Justifiable

Millions of Americans pay monthly fees just to participate in the banking system. Others avoid fees only by maintaining balances that exceed what the bank is willing to fully insure.

Meanwhile, the profits generated from investments made with depositor money rarely flow back to the people whose capital made those profits possible.

If banks profit from our money, why are we excluded from meaningful participation in those gains?

That is a fair question—and one banks have avoided for far too long.

The Value of Control Has Changed

In a modern world, individuals have access to:

Fireproof and biometric safes
Advanced surveillance systems
Private security services
Diversified asset protection strategies

For many, the argument that banks are the only safe option no longer holds. At best, banks offer convenience. But convenience alone does not justify fees, exposure, and lack of control—especially for those with significant assets.

This Is Not Hostility—It Is Negotiation

Let me be clear: this is not a rejection of banking.

This is a call for better terms.

The American people are willing to sit down and renegotiate the relationship between depositor and institution. But that relationship must reflect modern realities, not outdated assumptions.

What Must Change

If banks want to remain relevant and trusted, the following issues must be addressed:

Expanded Security Options

Insurance limits must evolve, or alternative protections must be offered for higher balances.
Fair and Transparent Fee Structures

Monthly and access fees must be reduced, justified, or eliminated.
Profit Participation

If depositor money generates profit, depositors deserve a fair share of that value.
Unrestricted Access to Funds

Americans should not face friction or penalties when accessing their own money.
Transparency

Depositors deserve clarity about how their money is used and how that use benefits them.