The Guns & Ammo Network

Cease Fire! Bank Of America Won’t Do Business With Firearm Companies

by handguns staff • April 23, 2012 • 63 comments

B of A recognizes the importance of arming its guards that help protect its banks, but apparently doesn't want to do business with firearm manufacturers that make the guns its guards use.

The McMillan Group, which manufacturers a wide array of firearms and firearm accessories, is on the prowl for a new bank to service its financial needs after being dropped as a customer by Bank of America.

 

A message posted on the McMillan Group Facebook page from Kelly D. McMillan, Director of Operations, this past Thursday shed light on how everything went down.

McMillan Fiberglass Stocks, McMillan Firearms Manufacturing, McMillan Group International have been collectively banking with Bank of America for 12 years. Today Mr. Ray Fox, Senior Vice President, Market Manager, Business Banking, Global Commercial Banking came to my office. He scheduled the meeting as an “account analysis” meeting in order to evaluate the two lines of credit we have with them. He spent 5 minutes talking about how McMillan has changed in the last 5 years and have become more of a firearms manufacturer than a supplier of accessories.

 

At this point I interrupted him and asked “Can I possible save you some time so that you don’t waste your breath? What you are going to tell me is that because we are in the firearms manufacturing business you no longer what my business.”

 

“That is correct” he says.

 

I replied “That is okay, we will move our accounts as soon as possible. We can find a 2nd Amendment friendly bank that will be glad to have our business. You won’t mind if I tell the NRA, SCI and everyone one I know that B of A is not firearms industry friendly?”

 

“You have to do what you must” he said.

 

“So you are telling me this is a politically motivated decision, is that right?”

 

Mr. Fox confirmed that it was. At which point I told him that the meeting was over and there was nothing let for him to say.

 

I think it is import for all Americans who believe in and support our 2nd amendment right to keep and bear arms should know when a business does not support these rights. What you do with that knowledge is up to you. When I don’t agree with a business’ political position I can not in good conscience support them. We will soon no longer be accepting Bank of America credit cards as payment for our products.

 

Kelly D McMillan
Director of Operations
McMillan Group International, LLC
623-582-9635
www.mcmillanusa.com

Response has been overwhelming since the Facebook post, spreading like wildfire throughout the firearm enthusiast community. If you do bank with B of A, will this prompt a change in who you bank with?

In Uncategorized • Tagged ,
  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003395436860 Mike O'Lary

    I year or two ago the parade route for a KIA soldier returned home for burial had small American flags "dotted" along the route. Think survey flags in wire pins, This included in front of a BOA branch. The manager of that branch threw a fit and demanded they be removed because she felt they were offensive. Once the media grabbed the story (well after this occurred) she was "fired". In reality she was "fired" from her branch manager position and "rehired" much farther up the ladder as an administrative executive for BofA.

    It was at the point where she demanded the flags be removed that I swore off the business. I wouldn't pee on any of the BofA people, even if they were on fire.

    • Marie

      This is absolutely ridiculous. I totally believe in the 2nd amendment. B of A is one of the worst banks to deal with out there. This should be on the news instead out on emails..

      • armydoc37

        i dropped all my business with BOA back when they were the first bank to start loaning illegal immigrants money. i dont believe in rewarding illegals like our country is and i dont support businesses who encourage their business, so i was glad i didnt do business with them for like when they wouldnt show support for a veteran, hope boa goes bankrupt.

    • armydoc37

      thanks for not wasting your pee,,its not bank of america they should rename it because it dont support american people, i stopped using them years ago when they were the first bank to open their arms up to the illegal immigrants. they were so active in trying to get them to come there so i dont like businesses that support illegal immigrants, i would rather they support LEGAL and US citizens, and then like u said i remember when they didnt support the veteran. so many people have forgotten that. that they will do business with boa

  • joe hermann

    one more reason to use chase bank and geico insurance instead of progressive.

  • BJC

    B of A are some of the worst crooks in this country and I can't see why anybody in their right mine would want to do business with them. B of A stands for bank of a$$holes.

  • Dave

    People will believe anything.

  • Steve

    The same bank that a few years ago was going to issue credit cards to those here in our country illegally.

  • dave

    B&A always have been a scourge to the American People. They are a predatory company of great magnitude. If American enemies could have invented B of A as a weapon, they would regard it as a major success story against the people of our country. They are like a malignant cancer milking this country to death. The good news, is that citizens across the country are becoming more aware of the nature of their business.

  • Bill K

    Every sportsman and woman, needs to pull accounts from BofA, tell them why and go to another receptive bank/credit union. I know my account is now closed and moved. They were not to happy, but hey they do not like sportspeople and firearms companies, so there loss is our gain.

  • http://www.facebook.com/mudpuppyguns John Schizas

    How about a list of PROVEN Bill Of Rights Friendly Banks and links to the proof so I know who to take my accounts to

    • Jim F

      John S has a very good idea. I too would like to see a list (HINT … NRA)

  • Jim Seals

    When I returned from my tour in Vietnam, I came back through Travis AFB. From Travis I had to buy my own ticket home on leave. My wife had sent me a U.S. Postal money order to buy the ticket and Bank of America refused to cash it saying that they didn't do business with baby killers. This was in 1969 and to this day I wouldn't spit on BOA if they were on fire… Jim S – OK

  • Roy

    Maybe they should change their name to Bank of Amerika.

  • Dick Hamrick

    Dick Hamrick

    In 2002 I closed an account with B of A ending a 40 year relationship. I started out with C & S Bank in Atlanta in 1962 which later merged with Nations Bank which later merged with Bank of America. The service I got with B of A was considerably poorer than service I received from any of the other banks where I had accounts. In my opinion, B of A is the worst bank anyone could do business with and it will be a cold day in hell before I do business with them again.

    • John

      Same with me C&S to Nations Bank to Bank of America will be closing my accounts this week.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1652204511 John Kirkpatrick

    My first encounter with BOA was while I was still in the Air Force, we put a down payment on a Modular Home to be built on some property that we had bought in Northern California, and I made sure that the "Soldiers & Sailors Relief Act" paragraph was inserted into all documents, that held that the contract could be broken without penalty if on orders from the military, I had to leave the area. I received orders before construction started so we notified BOA and they refused to return our $500 deposit (1980 dollars). I would have fought them for it but the legal fees would have been more than the deposit. We ceased doing business with them then.
    Lately? They were fined for foreclosing on military members who were on duty in Afghanistan and Iraq! I don't think they should be allowed to have the name AMERICA in their corporate headings…

    • scot lind

      they used to be banc of italy

  • Tim McGuire

    I would like to see this story in the next NRA magazine perhaps along with other anti second amendment companies listed. I believe all NRA members and everyone who believes in the second amendment (it is part of our Constitution you know) should avoid companies that dislike the Constitution. I for one will absolutely avoid such companies.

  • Frank Socci

    It's like my entire family. My father was in Europe (WWII) then was sent to Korea. When his unit was pulled back from the line for R&R they were greeted by the Red Cross which had a coffee/donut stand for them. They wanted to charge them for this! When they said they were in a war theater and carried to money they were told that they could sign to have it deducted from their pay. They all walked away and nearby was a Salvation Army stand and they would NOT charge. To this day we proudly do not give anything to the R.C. but ALWAYS contribute to the S.A. and not one of is a member of this church (read CHRISTIAN CHURCH).

  • Vince W

    I will be closing my family's 4 personal and 2 business accounts at B of A as soon as I can feasibly do so.

  • larry

    FUCK BOA

  • Tim H

    I would be willing to bet B of A isn't going to dissarm any of the security guards in their branches. I would put money on them not demanding the armored cars that service the branches carry unarmed guards…

    Hypocrisy at its very best…

  • fred foderotz

    If you remember a few years ago, BoA handed out unsecured credit cards to any "illegal alien" that applied. That put the interest rates through the roof. Can we at least get them to change their name?????

  • Bruce

    WOW! I've had their services for quite a while. Not anymore!! I will be opening an account with my CU as soon as I can. C YA BOA!!!

  • Robert

    BOA has been an as_hole bank for as long as I can remember and after a brief "relationship" with them 25 years ago, have NEVER wanted to be considered one of their "customers". They should be renamed "Bank of Un-America"…
    DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS BANK!!!

  • shotgun

    Maybe the B of A security guards should outfitted with spears and swords rather than the guns they have on their belt…………….

  • http://www.facebook.com/DBrady08 Dennis Brady III

    looks like im changing my bank… GFY BANK OF AMERICA.. i will not bank with anyone who doesnt believe in the RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS!!!!

  • keith

    bofa has shown despicable treatment of military customers for decades and now I see the chance for it to become bank of———–. as all people that love our country and our military veterans and the 2nd ammendment l am sure we can bring the to closing by taking our accounts to you local credit unions.

  • Les

    This is not only unpatriotic, it's bad business sense. What bank in their right mind wouldn't want a multifaceted company like MacMillian as a client. Banks like this deserve to fail.

    • guest

      they'd just get a fat federal bailout though….

    • Anthony Yap

      They sure will be missing out when firearms sales SKY ROCKET this year because of elections!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003273026027 Scott Nelson

    Fortunately I don't have to worry about BA up here in North Dakota. Glad to know business leaders won't put up with politically BS attacks from other businesses and are willing to stand up to them and take appropriate action. Way to go McMillan!!!

  • john

    Any recommendations as to what bank to open my cancelled B of A accounts with in South Carolina

    • DrEd

      Any credit union. You are banking with local folks, not a national corporation, but protected just as a regular bank with deposit insurance, etc.

  • Rod

    I had a CC account with them at one time. I never used it, so I closed it. I did receive a nice Buck knife from them when the account was opened. I just never heard anything good about them and didn't need their service anyway.

  • Matthew

    Well i know i'll never be doing any business with that bank and I will be passing this link along to my boss who uses B of A as he is a VERY big advocate of the 2nd Amendment.

  • Fingers

    Hmmm, this is the same bank that covers the Bass Pro CCs. They need to make up their mind on if they are supporting the sporting people or not. I'll cancel mine today.

  • Jim

    Never like Bank of America, anyways. I definately will steer clear of any thing dealing with Bank America. And if it's possible I will avoid business's that deal with Bank America.

    I don't know if Bank America took stimulas money from the Government. If they did, it's a good bet the Obama Administration is behind this anti-gun policy by the bank.

  • Pop

    Bank of America (NOT bank of U.S.A.) enjoys the freedoms and rights afforded by the constitution without supporting it. As an American (U.S. citizen) I won't knowingly do business with a company that exploits the opportunities provided by the blood and sweat of true patriots, and I encourage others to do the same.

  • alias0310

    Hopefully McMillan Group looks into Wells Fargo. They deal with other firearms companies and distributors.

  • James

    I asked Bank of America "Do you do business with Firearms Manufacturers?" The Said. We want to let you know that we hear your comments and questions regarding one of our customers. While we cannot discuss the details of any individual client we work with, we can assure you the allegations being made here are completely false. Bank of America does not have a policy that prohibits us from banking clients in this industry. In fact, we have numerous, longstanding customers in the industry.

    We are also extremely proud of our support of the US military and reject any assertion to the contrary. We count as clients many companies that provide for our nation's defense. We employ thousands of veterans, Guardsmen, and Reservists, and plan to increase our hiring this year."
    So what is the truth!

    • Bear

      Sure would be interesting to find out the truth. Has anyone checked the rumors website?

      • Joe

        People don't want to know the truth. Really, who will they believe? A big faceless bank that gets bad press every week, or someone who manufactures their favorite things. Just look at how you got a thumbs down based on your question.

  • larry

    after reading (James ) report im just wondering who the hell is lying>>If BOA is not lying then im going to cancel my subscription to HANDGUNS MAGAZINE!!

    • adecker44

      Hey Larry – don't kill the messenger…our info comes directly from McMillan. We just reported what was reported in the McMillan facebook page…please visit it as there's more info about what down.

      You have to ask yourself…what does McMillan have to gain by posting any of this publicly? Why would someone lie about this? Say McMillan was bad on a loan or something (and that's COMPLETELY a hypothetical statement) and B of A went them and said, "this isn't working out etc." why would McMillan go nuts over it and make up some fabricated lie?

  • larry

    And if McMillan Group is lying>> then I wont be buying any more of their products>> I cant stand liars in any form>>waiting to here the truth!!

    • Hersbird

      Who has the bigger motivation to lie? B of A says they don't have a coporate policy but that doesn't mean that the McMillian group has said anything that isn't completely true. BofA can say, and would be 100% truthful, that they don't have a policy instructing descriminating against 1/2 goat people, but that doesn't mean that if their actions did such descrimination that they are not guilty of descrimination. If this senior vice president has done something so against B of A's grain then the above press release would have been about how the VP was wrong and they are sorry. Instead they doubled down on stupid.

    • Joe

      I work for the bank and now the whole "anti gun" thing is made up. The people in my office are all big hunters, and are up in arms over how people are labeling the bank. Can you imagine the damage it would do to the banks credibility if the bank openly discussed the details of the relationship -businesses would avoid us, and we would likely be sued.

      Say you love firearms, get in an argument with a neighbor, and wake up the next day with a bunch of angry people who accuse you of being anti second amendment, because your sore neighbor wanted to really stick it to you. That about sums it up.

      • Barney

        Joe – Why would McMillan fabricate a lie? It is entirely possible thet BofA does not have a specific policy, yet they have an internal policy of leniency with regard to individual management decisions. If the senior VP is anti-gun and does not want to do business with McMillan, it would be indicative of a company wide culture of social engineering. Given what I know about Mr. McMillan personally, I doubt he is telling any lies. I haven't done business with BofA for a number of years, for reasons unrelated to the 2nd amendment. However, given the Mcmillan incident, I doubt I will do business with them in the future.

  • Anthony Yap

    I will close my bank account which is a military account because of this. If they don't support the 2nd amendment I cannot support them. Why they got bailed out with tax payer money I can never understand. I will spread the word.

  • Richard

    I am gone also after 23 years. But they will never miss me. Nor me them.

  • Joe

    I'm an OEF veteran that works for the bank (hired after deployment) and they are most certainly not anti-gun. I'm wondering if any of their gun manufacturing clients will step in, but I doubt it with all of the misdirected anger. The bank puts on a big bird hunt every year -with shotguns. So, certain people may not like the service, but don't lay this fictitious charge against them.

  • John

    Friends, B of A has been one of the worst choices for banking that can be made. And now they have overtly shown their "true colors" (and believe me, they are not Red, White and Blue). Take a minute and send an e-mail with a link to this article to your local news office. Tell them B of A is discriminatory and anti-American. And to remember B of A got $45 billion of our tax dollars to bail them out! I say it is time to "let them fail". Boycott B of A.

  • Steddyeddy

    So many people are SO ready to believe anything they hear on the net—especially if it's an item about a pet peeve. Most folks have an agenda—sometimes worthy and sometimes BS. We are so quick to jump!!

  • george

    My wife and I signed up for a BoA credit card years ago because they would contribute 1% of our purchases to Ducks Unlimited, with whom we volunteered. Inserted with this month's bill was an "Account change notice" which read: "The partnership between Ducks Unlimited and Bank of America has ended. As a result, the Ducks Unlimited credit card program is being discontinued. Your existing card remains valid…." Add this to the McMillan story, and I detect a pattern. Not only do they not like firearms, they do not like people who own firearms saving the environment.

  • jmm

    Have an auto loan w/ BofA. That will change tomorrow….

  • Larry

    One more nail in the coffin for BoA.

  • Norm

    I checked this confrontation out on Snopes. Snopes says that McMillian confirms the occasion word for word, while BOA claims they have no such anti-firearms policy. I think the real problem here is that the senior vice-president, Ray Fox, has one policy and BOA has another totally different. If Ray Fox is the problem, then BOA needs to pin him down for an honest answer and make a public statement to the media as to what their policy really is, including an apology to McMillian. If Ray Fox took it upon himself to misrepresented BOA wrongly, then BOA needs to fire him immediately.

    • Barney

      Nicely said Norm. Mr. Fox smacks of social engineering at the highest levels. This is something that is becoming indemic in American business. We need to change that. I doubt if Mr. Fox was violating any internal policies because there are probably no internal policies with regard to incidents like McMillan.

  • SRK

    It's been a week at least since this broke… I wonder how much business BofA has lost in that amount of time? It's funny how fast a reaction can be when something that corporate see's as truly damaging to the bottom line comes out… and how slow (or never) they are to react if they just don't care.
    Regardless of what BofA's actual corporate policy is, you'd think that they'd want this cleared up in record time… ie, somebody on BofA's Board of Directors call the NRA and make a statement so the "official" word can be spread from a source we respect.
    The fact that BofA has said nothing official, speaks volumes about how much they care about their reputation amongst the 2A crowd. I'm not a "if you're not with me, you're against me" kinda guy… but in this case, I've got an old IRA that will be seeing a new home with USAA.

  • Guest

    But…but…but….what about the free market and unfettered capitalism?
    Why can't BoA do what they want? Money is money whether you're illegal or not.
    Nobody is forcing you to bank there.

  • joec7

    New York State issues a "Bank of America" debit Master Card for tax refunds…I used that BofA card to contribute my refund to the Second Amendment Foundation and Gun Owners of America!

    That's the only business I ever intend to do with BofA again.