Former employees turn on Bank of America

CHARLOTTE, N.C., June 30 (UPI) -- Nine former Bank of America employees accused the bank of over-selling services to Hispanic clients to create financial chaos that would result in bank fees.

"We were coached every day to push multiple checking accounts, credit cards and debit cards even when the customer didn't understand how to use them," said former employee Gabby Ornelas of Landover Hills, Md.

Ornelas, who speaks Spanish, said she was specifically instructed to attend Hispanic gatherings, neighborhood stores and even child welfare centers to sign up customers.

"We were told to sign them up for multiple checking accounts, which they didn't even need," said former bank teller Ambar Sandoval of Los Angeles.

Bank spokeswoman Anne Pace said the group, backed by the Services Employees International Union, "misrepresent the bank's relationship with its customers and its associates."

"We believe a checking account is the cornerstone to establishing financial security in this country," Pace said in an e-mail, The Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.

"We offer innovative financial services to meet the needs of all of our customers, including Hispanic customers," Pace said.