National Penn Bank-I ruined it for everyone! No wait, I didn't.

[truecrimson]

We bank with Keystone Nazareth Bank and Trust, which became part of National Penn sometime in the last few years. I have never had a problem in any of their branches in the Lehigh Valley. Since moving to Lebanon the closest branch we could find was the one in Robesonia on 422.

Our first visit there was several weeks ago to change our address, and there were no issues.

On 5/13 we stopped by to make a large withdrawal to pay some of the bills for the upcoming nuptials. We got the same teller as the first time, and everything was running smoothly when a very pleasant lady approached from my left side, passed behind me, and settled in to my right. She (I'm paraphrasing as the old memory is a bit fuzzy) excused herself, introduced herself, and asked me not to carry my gun in the bank in the future. I asked her if they had a policy, and she wasn't sure but knew they had no signs. She said she was certain that I had a permit, but they preferred a gun free environment.

I briefly explained the laws, gave her a flier, and corrected the permit thing. I then asked for her name, and position. She gave me her card. I did not commit to not carrying. She did not specify a preference for concealment. She expressed concern about what might happen if I were to walk into the bank when a robbery was in progress or a robbery was initiated while I was there with an exposed firearm. She was very pleasant the whole time.

It took me a few days to find time to call corporate (5/15 I think). The customer service rep had to consult a supervisor, and came back with "We have no policy, but we prefer people not carry guns in our branches." I pointed out that I was unsure if that meant I could or couldn't, and I needed clarification, as if I couldn't then I would be closing and moving my accounts. She gave me the number of Doug Reitnour, head of security and dumped any further clarification on him.

Since then he and I have been playing phone tag. His best time in the office is my worst time to do anything but examine the insides of my eyelids (I'm mostly evenning and night shift).

On 5/20 he left me a message stating that he is a retired state trooper and understands the law. National Penn Bank has no policy regarding the lawful carry of firearms, and will not restrict the lawful carry of firearms in their branches. He also stated that he will be contacting the manager to educate her on this. He still wants to talk to me directly so I will "understand where the banker is coming from." whatever that means. I will resume the phone tag Monday morning. One of my questions for him will be whether or not this extends to all banks that are part of National Penn family (KNBT, Nittany Bank, and HomeTowne Heritage Bank).

[General Geoff]

Good stuff, keep us informed.

[87th PVI]

Trouble maker!


LOL Just kidding. Way to stand your ground & stick up for us all.

I OC sometimes & CC other times, depending upon my mood, mode of dress, and what I'm doing/where I'm going that day. Every time I have gone to the bank it's just so happened that I've CC'd SO FAR.
Maybe one of these days I'll end up having the bank on my to do list on a day I'm OCing.
Anyone currently OC at Sovereign or Susquehanna Bank or know their policies regarding the issue?

[markheck1]

Awesome +1 for follow-up!

[PennsyPlinker]

Good report, good followup, rep sent!

[John-Pa]

I worked for the now deceased Meridian Bank for a good number of years. Many of the employees are now with National Penn. I have been acquainted with most of the Executive staff. I met Doug Reitnour.

In the bank branch you most likely were approached by the branch manager.
Probably a female. She does have a point. I expect you and others won't see it that way.

I do sometimes carry a concealed firearm when inside a bank. No open carry for me in a bank...never. Why?

If you are in line and the firearm is on your side and visible from an entry door you could very well deter a punk from pulling off a small robbery attempt. He may leave and you may never know about the attempt. However, if it were an armed robbery attempt involving multiple armed men or women (not uncommon--especially in Berks-to metro Philly area) you would most likely be shot before you even saw what was happening. They generally are armed with AR-15s with large capacity magazines.

That is why the vast majority of banks no longer employe armed guards within a bank. They were always the first to be shot. Most never saw it coming.

The element of surprise with a concealed weapon is more valuable than a firearm hanging on someones side and visible.

If I were in a bank with a concealed weapon I probably would never use it during an armed robbery unless we were "rounded up" to be used as hostages etc. I would let the guy quietly take the money and not invoke an incident.

The stolen money to a bank is not a major issue.

[TaePo]

Hmm, gee, I gotta right to protect myself and my money. As soon as the teller hands that money to me and a robber takes it, it is MY money, not the banks.

And in general, most robbers are not homicidal maniacs, though they could be. Most want to avoid complications and difficulties. I think the majority of cases of an armed person in the bank will get that person disarmed or they will wait until that person leaves etc. and try again. (Assuming the citizen does not successfully draw and defend that is.)

There is a big difference in Armed Robbery and Murder.

Does anyone have actual data on situations involving armed citizens and robberies? How many were killed in a wall of lead? A security guard is slightly different because he has a job to do and is usually highly visible.

I carry in banks, especially if I am doing a large transaction. If the bank is too cowardly to let me protect my assets, then what kind of job are they doing protecting my assets that I leave with them?

I would say find another bank post haste, and write them a letter explaining why. In this economy, no one can afford to start losing customers due to stupidity or any other reason for that matter.

Kudos to the OP BTW.

[SMTM]

Originally Posted by John-Pa

They generally are armed with AR-15s with large capacity magazines.

Sounds like you have been spending to much time watching CNN

[bige64]

Originally Posted by John-Pa

However, if it were an armed robbery attempt involving multiple armed men or women (not uncommon--especially in Berks-to metro Philly area) you would most likely be shot before you even saw what was happening. They generally are armed with AR-15s with large capacity magazines.

I think you better lay off the movies dude... you reek of anti-gun rhetoric.

[Adam-12]

Originally Posted by John-Pa

...if it were an armed robbery attempt involving multiple armed men or women (not uncommon--especially in Berks-to metro Philly area) you would most likely be shot before you even saw what was happening. They generally are armed with AR-15s with large capacity magazines.

Yep, definitely sounds like too many movies. Please give some links to news reports about these bank robberies by teams armed with AR-15s and "large capacity magazines," or I'm calling BS.

What's a "large-capacity magazine," by the way?