Table & Twine is offering preorder brunch and dinner packages for Easter.
Table & Twine
It’s time to make holiday meal plans for your Charlotte gatherings — before the Easter Bunny arrives with all that chocolate and diverts your attention.
This year, Easter is Sunday, March 31, and we’ve rounded up a list of offerings from local Charlotte restaurants and meal services so you’ll have choices to browse for brunch and dinner.
Here are places to consider for your Easter holiday meals in Charlotte, whether you choose to stay home with a pre-ordered meal package or dine at a restaurant in person with your peeps. (Or would that be Peeps in this case?) And keep checking back — we’ll update this story as more restaurants release their plans.
A La Minute will be delivering Easter favorites including ham, mashed potatoes and mac and cheese, plus appetizers and desserts. The meals will come ready to reheat in oven-safe containers.
Angeline’s Easter Brunch will take place 8 a.m.–2 pm., with the choice of an entrée, plus a shared toast board of toppings,freshly baked pastries and croissants, a tossed salad of local greens, house-made zeppoles and cannolis.
Entree options will include a choice of:
Angeline’s Breakfast with eggs, crispy potatoes, breakfast meat and toast
Steak and Eggs with grilled NY strip, eggs, crispy potatoes, roasted tomato and pistou
Easter Vegetable Hash with eggs, roasted butternut squash, gnocchi, kale, tomatoes, avocado and pecorino
Brunch Pizza with roasted mushrooms, crispy Prosciutto, sunny side up egg and herbs
French Toast with Nutella whipped cream and fresh strawberry
Pesto Pasta with strozzapreti, spinach pesto, pecorino, pancetta and spring peas
Spinach Frittata with robiola, asparagus, Romesco, and grilled ciabatta.
Kids’ menu options offer a choice of:
Yogurt and fruit bowl
French toast with fruit, maple syrup
Lil’ Angie’s Breakfast with scrambled egg, bacon and breakfast potatoes
Easter at The Ballantyne Hotel will include a tea and a ballroom buffet, along with brunch and dinner options. An egg hunt will also take place for hotel and restaurant guests only.
Easter Tea at the Ryal on March 30 and 31, 1-4 p.m. In the lobby and Ryal Bar, guests will enjoy Rare Tea Company blends, plus seasonal and themed pastries.
Easter Ballantyne Ballroom Buffet on March 31, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. The buffet will be accompanied by live music in the ballroom.
Easter at the Gallery Restaurant on March 31. Brunch is served 7 a.m.-3 p.m., and dinner is served 5-10 p.m.
Easter Egg Hunt at the Ballantyne on March 31, 9:30-10:30 a.m. The egg hunt on the hotel event lawn is available for hotel and restaurant guests only. The hunt for children ages 2-5 will be at 9:30 a.m., and the hunt for children ages 6-10 will be at 10 a.m.
How to order: Call (704) 248-4330 or reserve dining online; call (704) 248-4000 for egg hunt reservations.
Deadline: ASAP while space remains.
Price: Tea is $49 for adults or $69 with sparkling wine and $29 for kids 12 and under. Buffet price is $99 per adult plus tax and service charge and $48 per child 12 and under, plus taxes and service fee. Gallery dining prices are a la carte.
Church and Union and its sister restaurant, La Belle Helene, will offer Easter buffet service from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., with a complimentary bloody Mary or mimosa for adults. Regular dinner service will begin at 5 p.m.
La Belle Helene and its sister restaurant, Church and Union, will offer Easter buffet service from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., with a complimentary bloody Mary or mimosa for adults. Regular dinner service will begin at 5 p.m.
Metro Diner is offering heat-and-serve Easter Feasts to serve one, four or eight people that are available for curbside pick-up or delivery. The feast includes your choice of roasted turkey or baked ham, plus:
Mashed potatoes and gravy
Green beans
Cornbread stuffing, macaroni and cheese or street corn
Cranberry sauce
Hawaiian dinner rolls.
Add-ons such as garden salad and bread pudding are also available.
Table & Twine offers multiple Easter meals to choose from that come ready to reheat. Packages serve six or 10 people, with options including brunch, as well as Spiralized Brown Sugar Ham or Chicken Florentine. Drinks and desserts are available to add on.
Heidi Finley is a writer and editor for CharlotteFive and the Charlotte Observer. Outside of work, you will most likely find her in the suburbs driving kids around, volunteering and indulging in foodie pursuits. Support my work with a digital subscription
On Leap Years, an extra day is added to the calendar: Feb. 29.
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If you had an extra 24 hours to do whatever you want in Charlotte, how would you spend it? It’s a leap year, so we just happen to get a leap day on Thursday, Feb. 29.
In reality, we know your boss is most likely going to steal a good chunk of that time away from you. (Bummer!) But if you happen to be free — or you want to celebrate after work — we have ideas.
We’ve recently been blessed with an explosion of Charlotteans on reality TV, and it’s hard to keep up with it all, especially with new episodes yet to come. Why not use leap day to do a little bed rotting and catch up?
Here are a few stories to get you started — but watch out for spoilers:
“The Bachelor”
Season 28, featuring Madina Alam of Charlotte, is streaming now on ABC.com and Hulu. New episodes drop on Mondays.
Going back further, Season 27 starred Kylee Russell of Charlotte, who then went on to star on “The Bachelor in Paradise.” (See below.)
“The Bachelor in Paradise”
Russell planned a move out of Charlotte last month after her appearance on “The Bachelor in Paradise,” streaming now on ABC.com and Hulu.
“The Bachelorette”
Season 27’s Charity Lawson, a Georgia woman with Charlotte ties who was on Season 27th of “The Bachelor,” became “The Bachelorette.” It’s streaming now on ABC.com and Hulu.
“Love is Blind”
Season 6, filmed in Charlotte, is now streaming on Netflix, with new episodes dropping Wednesday, Feb. 28.
Going back further, Kenny Barnes of Charlotte starred in season 1.
“Survivor”
Season 46, featuring Charlotte hair-salon owner Kenzie Petty, premieres Wednesday, Feb. 28 on CBS and Paramount+.
“The Ultimatum, Marry or Move on”
Season 2 was set in Charlotte, and you can stream episodes on Netflix.
Eat good food and get good deals
A handful of restaurants are offering Leap Day deals to celebrate the extra day. Here are a few:
Chipotle is celebrating Leap Day with a free guacamole offer for Chipotle Rewards members who use code EXTRA24 at checkout on the Chipotle app and Chipotle.com.
Location: Multiple, including Charlotte, Huntersville, Fort Mill/Indian Land, Gastonia, Rock Hill and Mooresville
On Leap Day, you can pay $29 for a $50 gift card. You can’t use it that day, but you can make a second stop in to eat salads, wings, burgers and more at a steep discount.
Hickory Tavern is celebrating Leap Year with a gift card offer. Hickory Tavern
Tiff’s Treats is offering a Leap Day birthday giveaway to celebrate those whose birthdays come only once every four years. People with a Feb. 29 birthday can enter to win a special birthday cookie delivery.
Get some exercise
Extra time can allow you to break out of your routine and try a new workout. We recently explored some of the city’s most luxurious fitness facilities — including one with a spa — and have also curated a running guide for those of you who like to hit the pavement.
Life Time amenities include areas where you can lift weights on your own or take a strength-focused class. Life Time Athletic Charlotte
Plan a trip
What’s a fantasy vacation day without a little daydreaming? You can browse these stories for inspiration and ideas.
This story was originally published February 26, 2024, 10:15 AM.
Heidi Finley is a writer and editor for CharlotteFive and the Charlotte Observer. Outside of work, you will most likely find her in the suburbs driving kids around, volunteering and indulging in foodie pursuits. Support my work with a digital subscription
This Google Streetview image from May 2023 shows the area of South Tryon Street where a cyclist was killed in a hit-and-run crash Friday night. The driver now faces criminal charges for manslaughter and fleeing the scene.
A car struck and killed a bicyclist wearing a reflective vest and flashing light Friday night in the Steele Creek area before fleeing the scene, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department said in a news release.
Christopher Ryan Starr died at the crash scene in the 12600 block of South Tryon Street, according to CMPD. That’s near a busy commercial area where South Tryon Street intersects with Steele Creek Road. Google Streetview imagery from May 2023 shows there are no bike lanes, protected or otherwise, in the area.
Starr was bicycling in the outbound right lane near the curb. He was wearing a reflective vest and a flashing light on his helmet when he was struck by a white Mazda CX-5 driven by Christian R Diaz Castillo, police said in a news release. The car’s front right corner struck the back of the bicycle, which sent Starr flying onto the sidewalk, according to police.
Police, the Charlotte Fire Department and Medic responded around 11:29 p.m. They found a damaged bike and an unresponsive man when they arrived. Medic pronounced Starr dead at the scene, a news release said.
Speeding and reckless driving were contributing factors in the crash, police said.
Castillo fled the scene, but was located later by police officers, a news release said. He now faces charges of felony hit and run and involuntary manslaughter.
Police say the investigation remains active. Any witnesses to the crash, or anyone with information concerning the crash, can contact Detective Mercedes at (704) 432-2169 Ext No. 5 or Crime Stoppers at (704) 334-1600. The public can also visit the Crime Stoppers website at charlottecrimestoppers.com.
Related stories from Charlotte Observer
Josh Bergeron is a local news editor at The Charlotte Observer. Previously, he was the editor of the Salisbury Post in Salisbury, N.C. and worked as an editor and reporter at newspapers in North Carolina, Kentucky, Alabama and Mississippi. He’s a proud LSU alumnus — Geaux Tigers.
“Dan Wade was more than just a skilled brewer providing beer to the Charlotte Community; he was the backbone of his family, providing love, support, and stability. His passion for his craft was evident in every pint that came from Wooden Robot, and his warm personality left a lasting impact on everyone he encountered,” the GoFundMe page says.
“Your generous donations will go towards covering immediate expenses, including funeral costs, and will provide ongoing financial assistance to help the family rebuild their lives. Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a significant impact on them and their journey toward healing and stability.”
As of Thursday midmorning, more than 1,000 donations totalling over $81,000 had been made to the Wade Family Fund, surpassing the original goal.
How to donate: Donations can be made online at Wade family fund.
Dan Wade, co-founder of Wooden Robot Brewery in Charlotte’s South End, died after a fall in the brewery on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024. GO FUND ME
Support from local breweries
Breweries from the Charlotte area and across the state have also come together to support Wade’s Wooden Robot team, as both locations are closed until further notice, with a GoFundMe for the staff to provide financial assistance for living expenses and support for their well-being, including grief counseling.
“The Wooden Robot Brewery Staff Relief Fund is an opportunity for our community to come together and support the incredible individuals who have made Wooden Robot Brewery a cherished part of our lives,” the fundraiser page says. “Your generosity will make a significant impact on their staff’s well-being and help them through this challenging period. Dan cared for others as if they were part of his own team and we intend to do the same for him.”
In addition to the fundraiser, a few local businesses also accepting donations from guests in person:
This story is developing and will be updated. If you are a local business doing something to support the Wade family or Wooden Robot staff, please email details to charlottefive@charlottefive.com and we will add you to the story.
This story was originally published February 22, 2024, 10:21 AM.
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Chyna Blackmon is a service journalism reporter for The Charlotte Observer. A native of the Carolinas, she grew up in Columbia, SC, and graduated from Queens University of Charlotte. She’s also worked in local television news in Charlotte, NC, and Richmond, VA. Support my work with a digital subscription
With more than four million lights, the Charlotte Motor Speedway Christmas lights at Speedway Christmas in Concord, NC is one of the biggest in the country and we’re here for it!
Thanks to Explore Cabarrus for media tickets and an overnight at the Homewood Suites by Hilton in Concord so we could review the experience for our readers. All opinions are our own.
Speedway Christmas Presented by Atrium Health is unique in that you get to drive your own car on the racetrack that is normally driven on by professional NASCAR drivers. Unfortunately, your mini-van will be going at a snail’s pace, but it’s still pretty cool. On the four-mile drive-thru course, visitors get to view displays consisting of over four million lights! The Charlotte Motor Speedway Christmas lights are easily one of the biggest displays in the country and there is just so much to see.
The Speedway is about an hour and 45 minutes from Greenville so if you want to stay overnight nearby, we’ve got just the place to do so at the Embassy Suites in Concord. Read on for the full review.
The Completely Epic Light Display with the Speedway Christmas Lights
There are four miles of more than four million lights at the Speedway Christmas. I’ve been to most of the Christmas light drive-through shows in our area so had a decent idea of what to expect but I can say with confidence that I was wrong. This light show is just unreal with so many cool surprises that it kept my kids and me enamored the whole time. For 2023, you get to see some awesome beach-themed displays in celebration of the theme, A Christmas Beach Party.
Entering the Racetrack for the Charlotte Motor Speedway Christmas Lights
Once you get past the gate, you’ll go right onto the massive track. I had to squash the urge to floor it because really, how many times do you get to drive on a real racetrack? I did no flooring and went very slow with my headlights off like the other drivers, which is exactly what you need to do, so pay attention.
You will follow along with a string of red or blue lights, so you don’t have to worry about taking a wrong turn. If you’re behind someone going super slow, there are several places to pass cars if you want to do that. The speedway also recommends that slower traffic stay to the right, so those who want to go a little faster through the light show can pass on the left.
The First Section of Lights
There are three different areas of the light display but they all sync up to Christmas music that you listen to through your car radio. The first section is more of a fun light display with Santa doing funny things. As you enter the racetrack, you will see lots of animated displays following the theme. Wakeboarding Santa, Penguins splashing into a pool, Santa cruising on a boat with his reindeer friends shooting a canon of light, just to name a few.
The Second Section of Lights
The second section is a massive display of flashing lights from the bottom of the Speedway up through the seating area. This is where you will begin driving through a couple of light tunnels. You will also see the synchronized light displays with giant Christmas trees matching the beat of the songs coming from your 101.3FM radio channel with the LED light displays along the bleachers. This was probably my kid’s favorite part of the drive because of how many lights were dancing to the music.
The Final Section of Lights
The third and final section is tunnels full of lights – it’s super cool. As you leave the infield Christmas Village, you get to drive through the last portion of the lights display, which honestly, was my personal favorite. You will come across an area where you can pull off and look over all the lights, which was really neat to see.
You will also go through several light tunnels. The tunnels were done so well, and each one is unique in shape and color display. You also get to see some really unique animated and stationary light displays! Our favorites were the two astronauts, a ballerina pig, and a snowman being built through animation.
The entire light show took us around 45 minutes to drive through if you choose not to stop at the Christmas Village.
The Christmas Village at the Speedway
Once you go through the bulk of the park, you will be guided to the infield parking lot. Here, you have the option to stop at the Christmas Village and/or see the drive-in movie playing.
The Christmas Village has a lot to do! The arches of lights, giant illuminated snowflakes, and “snow bubbles” that release a puff of smoke when they pop were some of my young daughter’s favorites. They also have a really cool FREE 360-camera experience for 2023. Your family stands on a platform as a camera zooms around you three times, giving you a unique holiday memory to enjoy!
Indoor Activities: Santa and More
The indoor section of the Christmas Village has two unique mazes, Christmas crafts at the elf village, vendors, decorated Christmas trees, and the opportunity to take photos with Santa. Santa was really kind, and your child can choose to stand or sit beside him. They even offer a little stool in case a parent needs to kneel down to keep their kids from getting nervous before rattling off this Christmas list. Pictures with Santa start at $10 for 1 photo.
Outdoor Food Court
The food truck lane has a lot of vendors with everything from Gyros to hot apple cider. One of the cooler food court stalls is the kettlecorn popcorn guy. My kids (and husband) enjoyed watching him flip the giant popcorn maker and reveal the sweet goodness that is delicious kettle corn. Plus, his stall has a little train engine on top that blows smoke every once in a while, which made us giggle.
We ended our food court adventure by purchasing some marshmallows to roast by the fire. We rocked in the rocking chairs, ate marshmallows drank cider, and just enjoyed the vibes. Afterwards, we visited the reindeer (animated, but so adorable!) for the kids to pet. They are super soft and look so real!
Drive-In Movie
And then, perhaps my favorite thing – a drive-in movie. The Speedway makes use of one of its huge screens to show different holiday movies. You can park your car facing the screen, tune your radio to the channel dedicated to the movie, eat some popcorn, and watch the movie. My kids wanted to sit in the car and watch the film so that’s what I let them do because #Christmas. They thought it was really neat.
Drive-in movie at the Speedway Christmas
Here’s the movie schedule for 2023:
November 17-19: “Christmas Vacation”
November 23-26: “The Grinch” presented by Bojangles
November 30-Dec 3: Classic Christmas shorts presented by Food Lion
December 7-10: “White Christmas” presented by Cook Out
December 14-19: “Elf” presented by AutoBell
December 20-23: “Polar Express” presented by Cook Out
December 28-31: “Home Alone”
There are also bathrooms right inside the Christmas Village as well as directly next to the drive-in movie, which is really nice since the route does take a while to drive.
The Christmas Village is closed on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Tips to Enjoy the Speedway Christmas
Knowing what to expect helps everyone enjoy the lights.
Wait Times
Because this is such a hugely popular attraction, the wait may be long. This can be said of most holiday light events anywhere during the holiday season. Make sure everyone has taken a bathroom break before heading towards the Speedway and have snacks on hand. In past years, the wait times have gotten up to more than two hours.
We went on opening night for the 2023 season right when they opened at 6 pm and while we were able to skip the lines with an Express Lane pass thanks to Explore Cabarrus, we did pass the main entrance and there was hardly a line.
On busy nights, the express pass will save you about an hour of that two-hour wait. The Express Lane has a different entrance (5197 Morehead Road, Concord) than the Main Gate and there are signs indicating where you need to go.
Visiting Monday through Wednesday is suggested because attendance will be at its lowest on those days.
Bathrooms
The Speedway has set up port-a-potties along the route for guests to use if they need to. You do need to remain in your car while driving but there is plenty of room to pull over for these bathrooms if you need. You will also find clean bathrooms at the Christmas Village.
Pets
Pets are allowed but they must stay in your car the entire time, including if you choose to visit the Christmas Village
Purchasing Tickets
Guests have the option to purchase tickets ahead of time online at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s website but they also have passes available at the gate. The tickets you purchase online must be used on the date you choose so if you’re not sure when you’re going, you can just purchase your ticket at the gate. Stay tuned to the website to be notified of any closures due to bad weather.
Dress for the Weather
The light show obviously happens during the colder winter months so dress for the weather with jackets, hats, and gloves, especially if you want to go to the Christmas Village, much of which is outdoors.
Tickets for Speedway Christmas
Ticket prices range from $35-$45 per car depending on when you go. General admission tickets are typically $35 Monday through Wednesday, and $45 Thursday through Sunday night are more expensive.
On Thursdays through Sundays, there is also an express lane option for $75. If you have more than 15 people in your vehicle, you’ll be paying the van and bus rate of $140 to $175.
While Monday through Wednesday visits are cheaper, remember that the Christmas Village is not open on these days. The exception is December 18th through the 20th, 2023 when the village will be open and tickets will be at the regular $45 price.
Speedway Christmas runs from Friday, November 17, 2023, through January 7th, 2024.
Honest Mom Review of Charlotte Motor Speedway Christmas Lights
My kids and I just loved this light show. It was almost overwhelming how many lights there were at the Speedway Christmas. I kept thinking, “How long did all of this take to set up?”! It is very well done and obvious the organizers take great pride in the light display and making sure it’s top-notch.
Part of the Christmas Village at the Speedway Christmas
For kids who may have sensory issues, the light show may be a little much in some parts. I thought the Christmas Village and drive-in movie was a great rest stop to just hang out and enjoy the atmosphere before heading out to the last part of the show. And staying nearby at the Embassy Suites was fantastic. I didn’t need to worry about driving home late at night and my kids could enjoy the pool before bed. We were at the light show in its entirety – driving and the Christmas Village – about an hour and a half total.
Cabarrus, North Carolina
We think spending a day in Cabarrus, North Carolina is a great day trip. We’ve had several of our writers spend a lot of time there and have stories on some of the fun things to do in Cabarrus County, NC. You can spend the day there or make it a weekend with a stay in the Great Wolf Lodge, another favorite destination for us, here at Kidding Around. Regardless of the length of your trip, we think the Charlotte Motor Speedway’s light display should be on your itinerary.
Lodging in Concord near the Speedway
Embassy Suites in Concord
Explore Cabarrus sent us to stay at the lovely Embassy Suites in Concord in 2022 right off I-85 and five minutes from the Speedway. I’ve stayed at Embassy Suites in the past and always like them for their spacious rooms, free breakfasts, and great amenities.
The room we had was a one-bedroom suite with a living space area, full bathroom, and a bedroom with a closed door. The beds were comfortable and there was plenty of space for my two kids and I. But this could easily fit a family of five even since the couch in the living space area is a pullout.
Embassy Suites Concord, NC Pool
The free breakfast in the morning was a hit with my kids. They had pancakes, eggs, French toast, yogurt, cereal, toast, biscuits and gravy, fruit, and a made-to-order omelet and waffle station. They also had coffee, tea, and juice.
This Embassy Suites also had a heated indoor pool, which my kids enjoyed after we went to the light show. It was a great way to wind down the night.
Homewood Suites By Hilton Concord/Charlotte
For our visit in 2023, Explore Cabbarus sent us to Homewood Suites by Hilton, located right beside the Embassy Suites. This lovely hotel is located right off of 1-85 and is only a 5-minute drive from the Charlotte Motor Speedway Christmas lights. It is also close to tons of options for dining.
The hotel check-in was a breeze, and all the staff we interacted with were extremely helpful and kind. Our room was very clean, and even smelled good when we entered (that is always a good sign!) Our room was a suite, with a kitchen and living room, with a separate bedroom with double queen beds. The separate bedroom really helped us out because were able to put the kids down to bed, and then rest in the living room. We were very happy that the hotel was clean, quiet, and close to everything we would need.
The hotel offers free breakfast in the morning, which my husband took full advantage of. We had fresh waffles from the “make your own” waffle station, a mix of fruit, sausage patties, delicious muffins, cheesy omelets, orange juice, and fresh coffee.
Other Lodging
If you need another place to stay near the Speedway, you can see the map below. This article contains Stay22 affiliate links.
There’s a lot to do in Concord and the Speedway Christmas show is a great way to end a day or weekend trip to Cabarrus County!
Have you made it out to the Charlotte Motor Speedway Christmas lights? What was your favorite part?
This weekly news quiz is presented by the Charlotte Observer. To find more quizzes from the Observer, visit our profile on Sporcle.
Charlotte is a hot spot in the financial services industries with multiple banks headquartering in the Queen City. But out of those, which ones have the biggest market shares?
If you enjoy the stories and coverage you see at the CharlotteObserver.com and haven’t subscribed yet, consider a subscription here.
Charlotte-based Bank of America is paying over $100 million to compensate customers, and another $150 million in penalties, for actions that hurt “hundreds of thousands of consumers,” a federal agency said Tuesday.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau announced the moves after it found that the bank “systematically” double-dipped on fees imposed on customers with insufficient funds, withheld bonuses promised to credit card customers and misappropriated personal information to open accounts without customers’ knowledge or authorization.
Those actions “harmed hundreds of thousands of consumers over a period of several years,” the bureau stated in a news release. “These practices are illegal and undermine customer trust,” CFPB Director Rohit Chopra said in a statement.
In its news release, the CFPB detailed findings of its investigation that led to the quarter-billion-dollar action against the second-biggest bank in the country:
▪ Bank of America had a policy of charging people $35 if the bank declined a transaction because of insufficient funds in their accounts. But the CFPB said it found that the bank “double-dipped” by letting fees be charged a number of times for the same transaction. That provided “substantial additional revenue” for the bank over a number of years, the bureau said.
▪ To compete with other credit card companies, Bank of America made special offers of cash and points when people signed up for a credit card. But the bank illegally withheld bonuses, such as cash rewards or bonus points, to tens of thousands of consumers, according to the CFPB.
▪ And from at least 2012, to reach now disbanded sales-based incentive goals and evaluation criteria, bank workers illegally applied for and enrolled consumers in credit card accounts without the customer authorizing or knowing about it, the CFPB said. It said the bank illegally used or obtained consumers’ credit reports without their permission to complete applications. Because of that, customers were charged unjustified fees and had negative effects on their credit profiles.
Bank of America illegally charged junk fees, withheld credit card rewards and opened fake accounts, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau said. Daniel Tepper Bloomberg
Bank of America’s response to the CFPB
The bureau ordered Bank of America to stop opening unauthorized accounts, and accurately market bonuses for rewards cards. The bank has reduced its reliance on junk fees, the bureau said, but it must stop repeatedly charging fees for insufficient funds.
When asked for comment on Tuesday’s actions, Bank of America said in a statement to The Charlotte Observer, “We voluntarily reduced overdraft fees and eliminated all non-sufficient fund fees in the first half of 2022. As a result of these industry leading changes, revenue from these fees has dropped more than 90 percent.”
Bank of America noted that the consent order stated that the unauthorized opening of accounts “were contrary to (the bank’s) policies and procedures and involved a small percentage of (the bank’s) new accounts.”
The bank also noted the order stated it had addressed a root cause of the issue by “eliminating sales goals both for compensation incentives and for performance management for financial center employees primarily responsible for the sale of consumer credit card accounts.”
And Bank of America said it already had provided redress on the credit card issue.
Details of the Bank of America consent order
The order requires Bank of America to compensate consumers who were charged unlawful non-sufficient fund fees, if they have not yet been made whole by the bank. That comes to about $80.4 million, and is in addition to the $23 million the bank already paid people who were denied credit card rewards bonuses.
Bank of America will pay the CFPB $90 million in penalties for charging repeat non-sufficient funds fees, for its credit card rewards practices and for opening unauthorized accounts. And the bank will pay the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency a $60 million penalty for double-dipping fee practices.
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, the Senate Banking Committee chair, had harsh words for Bank of America in the wake of Tuesday’s actions.
“Bank of America has clearly broken the law in yet another case of Wall Street banks taking Americans’ money to pad their already-massive profits,” Brown said in a statement.
As of March, Bank of America has $3.2 trillion in assets, with 68 million consumer and small business clients according to its latest quarterly filing. The bank will report its second-quarter financial results July 18.
In 2021, Bank of America had 16,000 workers in the Charlotte area.
Prior action against Bank of America
In May 2022, the bureau ordered Bank of America to pay a $10 million civil penalty for illegal garnishments — money taken out of a user’s paycheck to pay a debt. Later that year, the bank was ordered to pay back $225 million to customers after mishandling disbursement of state unemployment benefits from the pandemic.
Bank of America was sued in November for its marketing of Zelle, its digital payment network, for marketing the service as low-risk, after multiple users said they were scammed using Zelle’s direct connection to a user’s bank account.
That involved bank employees creating millions of fake accounts for customers without their knowledge in order to meet aggressive sales goals.
Regulators subsequently detailed a number of other problems at Wells Fargo, including how it handled mortgages, auto loans and consumer deposit accounts. In December, that led to a massive $3.7 billion settlement between the bank and the CFPB covering fines and restitution.
Wells Fargo is based in San Francisco but has its largest employee base in Charlotte, with about 27,000 workers.
This story was originally published July 11, 2023, 3:20 PM.
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Audrey Elsberry is a business reporting intern this summer as a part of the Dow Jones News Fund. She graduated from the University of South Carolina in May and reported on development and small businesses for her student newspapers, The Daily Gamecock and the Carolina News and Reporter. Support my work with a digital subscription
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.png "This Google Streetview image from May 2023 shows the area of South Tryon Street where a cyclist was killed in a hit-and-run crash Friday night. The driver now faces criminal charges for manslaughter and fleeing the scene.")
