TCF waives overdraft fees for customers whose deposits aren't posted

TCF Bank customers who couldn't access some of their directly deposited money Monday were allowed to withdraw from their accounts without incurring overdraft fees as officials worked on resolving "processing delays."

TCF spokesman Mark Goldman said the issue first surfaced about 5 a.m. As of 4:30 p.m., he said the issue was resolved.

Goldman called the timing of the problem an especially "unfortunate coincidence" because many customers were expecting to access their monthly Social Security deposits and other direct-deposit pension payments that land around the first of the month.

Less than 15 percent of customers were affected by the error, he said.

Jim Kaju said he arrived at the TCF branch in the IDS Center downtown and was told by a teller about the problem. "Everyone is very upset," he said.

Michael Dowling, 68, of northeast Minneapolis, waits on his Social Security check monthly. But when he arrived at the IDS Center branch ATM in downtown Minneapolis around 9:30 a.m., Dowling couldn't withdraw the funds from his account.

"It says 'transaction can't be filled,' " said Dowling, who was told by a bank teller that his funds would be accessible at 10 a.m.

Although officials expected the issue to be resolved in the morning, at noon customers were met with a notice that the bank was "diligently" working to resolve the issue.

If customers do not see a direct deposit they had expected to post Monday, they should call 800-823-2265, and "we will work with the customer to address any issues," Goldman said.

TCF has 339 branches in Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, Colorado, Wisconsin, Arizona and South Dakota.

Jessie Bekker is a University of Minnesota student on assignment for the Star Tribune.

pwalsh@startribune.com 612-673-4482