I have had my share of trouble with them. I wish you
luck with this and will be praying they will do what is
right and WB will get their building back.
I am quite disturbed to hear that this whole
situation is even taking place, Tanya Wiley is a
business woman of amazing character and grace. She has
helped numerous people of every race and gender to
better themselves and their communities and any person
or establishment that would seek to hinder her endeavors
needs to take a look at themselves and see what they
really hope to accomplish with the goals that they have
set for themselves on a whole.
I am very disappointed in the bank. I was
actually considering opening a business account
there, but this is not the first story like this
that I have heard. Good luck with the fight.
Contact me if there's more I can do to help
Matthew, submitted 01/22/07
I am very concerned that any financial institution would not accept money that is owed to them. But I am even more concerned that someone who has worked so hard in our community is being treated this way. If a board member is treated this way, as a community we should definitely be concerned about how the bank will respond to our needs.
Veronica, submitted 01/22/07
I strongly support Mrs. Wiley's position. She has been a powerful force in bringing about positive change for Winston-Salem. I think that Southern Community bank realizes what a important and respectable businesswoman Tanya Wiley is and how important it is to help support her in her role as an important leader in our community.
Jack S, submitted 01/22/07
I urge Mechanics and Farmers Bank to resolve this situation. We have a hard enough time keeping our businesses going without fighting each other. This just seems like a "no brainer" if the money is there to pay them and they will not accept it something is wrong with upper management at the bank. I'm sorry to hear this.
Sheila, submitted 01/22/07
My prayers are with you. M&F bank has a history of being difficult to work with, but with a change in leadership perhaps this will have a positive effect on your situation.
Bill F, submitted 01/22/07
I have seen the major development going on downtown Winston Salem and I know that Ms. Wiley was there before other people believed in downtown. I pray that the bank will do the right thing because it would be a tremendous loss if they lose this building.
Linda R., submitted 01/22/07
What is happening to Tanya Wiley is beyond my comprehension. Why is one company attempting to destroy another? Money? Greed? Envy? What?
Linda P, submitted 01/22/07
This is a shame. It's already hard enough to be
in your own business and we have had our share
of injustice from corporate america. We really
don't need to be acting like this with each
other. I really am disappointed with the
Leadership of Mechanics & Farmers Bank. This
just doesn't make sense.
Jonn T, submitted 01/22/07
We need to strive to ensure that our local entrepreneurs have every opportunity to succeed.
Ruben G, submitted 01/22/07
My wife and I urge the bank to settle this by accepting the money. We moved our money out of the bank because of problems our church had, but we do believe that the bank can be a tremendous help to us if they will get their act together. It's never too late for change.
C.T. M, submitted 01/22/07
I have known Tanya Wiley for more than ten years and in those years she has always been one to help others. In the midst of all of this I understand that she is still trying to help children and I applaud those efforts. M&F should rethink their position on this. Our community cannot afford the negative publicity that this is going to cause. Please do the right thing. Our community needs healing not division.
Maurice E, submitted 01/22/07
M&F has been around for many years and I hope that they will work to resolve this. The founding forefathers of the bank would not be happy with this mess.
Roosevelt F, submitted 01/22/07
This is the most outrageous thing about a bank that I have heard in a while. It makes African Americans look bad that they can't work something like this out. If the lady has the money - why not accept it?
Penelope C, submitted 01/22/07
This situation is quite disturbing. I have never heard of a bank not wanting to be paid off. I have also not heard of a financial institution that is supposed to be established for the community behaving this way. My prayers are with you all; including the bank. Sounds like they need it more than the ones who they are trying to harm
Bob B, submitted 01/22/07
This situation has been brought to my attention
from a discussion with the senior partner of
Wadell Consulting. My support in this comes from
the absolute disbelief that M&F Bancorp, Inc.
would not allow Wiley Brown & Assoc. to make
good on this account, actually far exceeding
that with an additional $100,000. What is their
true motivation in this? I question the position
they are taking which makes no logical sense.
Just moving here from California, I am just
amazed that this type of obvious business
practice would even part-take in today's
business world. However, then I was given some
insight as to the new revitalization taking
place downtown and what this will mean to those
who do own these buildings. Winston-Salem has a
bright future ahead of itself and what I see is
the same transformation that Sacramento,
California went through in the old historic
downtown, which now takes in millions of dollars
each year and also houses one of the largest
Jazz festivials in California. I believe in my
opinion this economic gain that is coming for WS
maybe some of the motive that drives M&F Bancorp
Inc. to be less then cooperative in this
situation. I send not only my support but best
wishes and blessings to Wiley Brown & Assoc.
with the hope that the M&F Bancorp Inc. wakes up
and does the RIGHT THING -Jennifer Stephens
Jennifer S, submitted 01/23/07
When I initially heard about this situation I thought that perhaps I was misunderstanding the facts, but now I understand that the fact is that Wiley Brown has a commitment to pay M&F all their money and M&F will not accept the money. I also understand that many individuals have tried to assist with resolving this and the bank has been unresponsive. I believe that we as a community have a responsibility to show M&F bank that what they are doing is not consistent with their mission statement. I have told all my associates who have accounts there to close them.
Constance S, submitted 01/23/07
I am very sorry to hear that a bank is conducting business like this. I have worked in the banking industry for more than 15 years and I have never known a financial institution to not want to accept money owed to them. Moreover, my friends at First Community Bank, which is a black owned institution, are surprised to hear of such behavior. It's not too smart for bankers to disrespect the City in which they must live and work.
Sarah S, submitted 01/23/07
I stand behind Tanya Wiley Brown and Dorrel Brown in their petition to re-gain their business in the Winston Salem Downtown area. I have known Tanya all of her life, and Dorrel for the past 15 years. They are both hardworking young people with a heart for the people of Winston Salem. They both stand behind what they believe in and have wisdom and maturity way beyond their years. I trust them and believe whole heartedly in them and their dream for both their business and the growth of the Winston Salem Community.
Andrea W, submitted 01/23/07
this is highly upsurd. we shouldn't be making things that much harder for our own people trying to make it in this already hard world.
Syncere M, submitted 01/23/07
I can sum this up with two words Greed and
Money. I understand that a large condominium
complex valued at 17 million is going up across
the street and on the other side is a 14 million
dollar project. Being in between those buildings
will force this property value up and a sister
and brother owning it is just what we need
downtown. This is a travesty that our own bank
is doing this to these people. It never ceases
to amaze me - our ancestors are probably turning over in their graves
James B, submitted 01/24/07
I am writing this in support of Ms. Wiley. I know her to be a person of great character and her work with the youth and the community are unmatchable. I pray that this will soon come to a resolve as it appears that the Winston Salem USA community is being harmed by the actions of this bank. Banks are in business to serve the community not hurt the community.
Princeton A, submitted 01/24/07
With the existing state of the world it is
unfortunate that our people are not only subjected to
injustice when doing business in a corporate setting,
but also with each other. This story is one that I hope
will have a positive ending for all parties involved. We
must support our brothers and sisters.
James
M, submitted 01/24/07
Almost always, the creative dedicated minority
has made the world better. ~Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr.
This can be resolved and should be resolved NOW!
Felix B, submitted
01/24/07
Mechanics & Farmers Bank does not have the best
reputation in the world but I was very surprised to hear
about this. It's a shame that this situation has sifted
into the public's eye because that bank does not have
the best track record. I'm so sorry about all this.
Martha R, submitted
01/24/07
Obviously there is a hidden agenda here on the part
of Mechanics & Farmers Bank. Their position is one which
I imagine will come back to bite them - as the saying
goes: what goes around comes around. Tanya and Dorel are
wonderful people who bring a great deal to the
community. I can only imagine that the banks reputation
will suffer greatly from this. Someone in a positon of
authority there should step up and handle this in the
appropriate manner - take the money owed to them and
move on.
Susan C, submitted
01/24/07
I used to bank with Mechanics & Farmers when I lived
in Winston Salem, North Carolina and my husband and I
closed our accounts due to issues with confidentiality.
Although we were not happy with the situation we had, I
would have never believed the bank would do something
like this. Customer service is key to building which
might explain why there has been a distinct lack of
growth with that institution as compared to others.
Felicia P, submitted
01/24/07
What a mess! Unfortunately I'm not surprised that it
is M&F bank that's involved in this. I have had my share
of problems with them. When I married my husband he
insisted that I close my checking account because of
problems he had with them.
Latonya F, submitted
01/24/07
Please add my name to your petition. I will attend the press conference tomorrow because I am completely ashamed of this bank. They are in our community and disrespecting our leaders. What a shame.
Clara D, submitted
01/24/07
Downtown Winston Salem is now experiencing much growth and this community bank is taking a "big" bank position. However, even big banks understand that serving the community is critical to their success. I hate to see what is going to happen with this situation. The bank should seriously reconsider their position.
Frederick A, submitted 01/24/07
There is no reason that I can see why this shouldn't
be resolved. I worked in the banking industry for years
and I have never heard of a bank not wanting to accept
money that is owed. There has got to be some other
agenda here.
Joann S, submitted
01/24/07
I understand foreclosure issues, but what I don't understand is a bank not wanting to accept a pay off - no matter what state a loan is in. Add my name to your petition.
Sheila T, submitted
01/24/07
This is yet another example of how small business owners who
periodically fall into a loop are unjustly forced to closure without a fair chance to resolve the matter. Hopefully with the voices that are sounding through this petition a chance will come concerning how small
business owners are treated in a crisis.
Charlene T, submitted 01/25/07
We at Elite Financial tried to assist Ms. Wiley
with her Mortgage needs, but we found it very
difficult to manuever around M&F
Stev F, submitted 01/25/07
Mr. Banker, What we do today, will affect the outcome
of tomorrow! Do what is fair and just. Life demands it!
Montgomery B,
submitted 01/25/07
This is a travesty. When someone (I don't care who it
is) works so hard to build something and a financial
institution refuses to accept money owed to them I
believe the community should fight with them. If they
will do it to them, they will do it to others in the
community
Darius M,
submitted 01/27/07
Restore the Wiley Brown Group to the property on
trade street so that they can continue their efforts in
being a staple in the downtown area and remain an asset
to the community-at-large and especially in the
afican-american community. I have faith that Mechanics &
Farmers will do the right thing for Wiley-Brown as well
as the Greater W-S community.
Kenneth A,
submitted 01/29/07
I think it's sad that M&F and Wiley and Brown could
not reach a settlement without all the drama. We have
come to far for this...or have we?
Shontae' O,
submitted 01/29/07
This is absurd! Take your money and settle this
before it gets out of hand. Although i do not live in NC
I can tell you that I am a part of this community and we
cannot afford this type of fall out. Please add my name
to the petition.
Curtis P,
submitted 01/29/07
M&F and Wiley Brown should be able to resolve this
short of public embarrassment. I certainly hope that the
bank will accept the money owed to them because it seems
like this is not legal.
Alexis C,
submitted 01/29/07
Blacks Holding Down Blacks, How Can We Ever Progress?
Orrin B,
submitted 01/30/07
Just do the right thing and allow this business to
continue. Remember that things come back on you and you
WILL lose business. I am not sure that you can afford
the outcome in the long run if you continue this
madness. As I stated before DO THE RIGHT THING!
Darla H,
submitted 01/30/07
Any time a bank refuses to accept money that is owed
to them it is obvious what the motivating factor is -
Greed! Please add my name to the petition.
Michelle P,
submitted 01/31/07
Looking at this situation we all have to be mindful that as we do business that there is an even higher business person and that is God. To know what the right thing to do is and still don't do it is an involuntary admission level of your integrity. I am in full support of Wiley Brown & Associates, LLC. God has chosen to use them as a tool to work through to expose the true heart and agenda of Mechanics and Farmers Bank/M&F Banccorp, Inc. Injustice for one is an injustice for us all, no matter what race, color, or creed. We all happens to fall in one category the human race and we all happens to have one advesary the Devil. He may work through others but we all know that he is a defeated foe and God works through humans as well but we are victorious in Christ. I decree and declare Isaiah 54:17 (NO WEAPON THAT IS FORMED AGAINST THEE SHALL PROSPER; AND EVERY TONGUE THAT SHALL RISE AGAINST THEE IN JUDGEMENT THOU SHALL CONDEMN. THIS IS THE HERITAGE OF THE SERVANTS OF THE lORD, AND THEIR RIGHTEOUSNESS IS OF ME, SAITH THE LORD.KJV)across this entire situation and let God arise and his enemies be scattered, IN JESUS NAME, AMEN
Matilda G,
submitted 02/01/07
I am very sad to hear that a minority bank has placed
themselves in such a herendous position. Other state and
national banks would probably love the opportunity to
gain so much equity in a property; but their business
sense would overcome that greedy desire. It's
unfortunate that M&F has made it clear who their
leadership is made of. I am not proud to be a
professional African-American by this experience. If I
ever thought to refer clients to M&F for banking
relationships, that idea has now fallen by the wayside.
Jenna E, submitted
02/01/07
I work in the banking industry and unfortunately
according to banking regulations this bank will
definitely be adversely affecting by not agreeing to
take the money that is due them. It is not possible for
an institution to conduct themselves this way and remain
in good standing. I wish you all well.
Katherine K,
submitted 02/01/07
This is a very serious situation and I would suggest
that the bank take the money that is owed to them and
both parties move on. It is not customary for a
community bank to respond to a customer this way. Based
on what i have read about Winston Salem, it appears that
the downtown is progressing to a point where this
property value has probably doubled. Its too bad that
although the bank understands big business they don't
quite understand community good will. Why did the
President resign?
Daniel M, submitted
02/02/07
I am completely shocked and surprised to hear that an
African American institution has responded to an African
American owned business in this matter. It would be one
thing if there was no money available but all businesses
have difficult times at some point. Look at Delta,
USAirways, Donald Trump, etc etc. I hope this business
can work out of this and when that does happen this bank
will obviously be very sorry that they responded this
way. Please add my name to the petition.
Marilyn A, submitted
02/05/07
Add me to the petition. I can't believe this. I have
been a huge advocate for black owned financial
institutions and this is completely contrary to what i
have worked so hard for. Good luck
Harold A, submitted
02/05/07
A colleague from Nebraska sent me an email about this
situation. Coincidentally i had a similar situation with
a residential property and after pulling together enough
support the bank did resolve matters so i recommend that
you keep this situation alive. Community opposition
proved to be my only way of resolving it and in my
situation there was no firm commitment so i'm sure that
your situation should be able to get resolved.
Charlie P, submitted
02/05/07
I would be interested in assisting with any public display of support. Although I do not have accounts at M&F any longer my parents continue to lend their support because it is the only black institution in our town. They have mentioned their outrage at this situation.
LaTasha M, submitted
02/07/07
unbelievable that a community bank is acting as if they don't
need the community anymore.
Morticia K, submitted 02/07/07
There is a higher power that we all must answer to
and this bank is under the same law. I recommend that
the bank return this property to it's rightful owners -
wiley brown - and everyone can move on. It just doesnt
make sense for a bank to not want to accept money that
is due them unless there is something else at play here.
Phidelphia P,
submitted 02/12/07
I too am fighting for the business on our farm and
all our problems begin with the banking and
illegalities. I really feel for you because I am walking
in similar shoes and I too have only been an influence
of a positive nature to my community. I have been caught
in a snare of financial perpetration for what unknown
reason. I am so glad to have learned of your
situation...I have been so busy trying to keep some type
of life for my 83 year old mother and me that I was
totally oblivious to your horrible circumstances. I
definitely hope this bank and their obstinate attitude
is a thing of the past soon for the sake of the
community and for your sake. I was at the Piedmont Club
for the membership luncheon on Monday. One of the new
membership people that was there is very prominent in
working on lots of art counsels and other means of
promoting our area. She was telling me some unbelievable
comments that came to her son because he was black. I
told her that I was stunned that such comments were
still able to be voiced...I thought we were past this
type of attitude and that the world was big enough for
everyone. She was outraged as I would have been about
the comment...I am outraged at the attitude of this bank
toward your situation. I sincerely know that this is a
serios underlying bomb in waiting for us all to know the
reverberating effects. Abuses of this nature against the
business sector must be put to rest and never see the
light of day again...It is time for the bank to admit
they have made a serious error. It is time the public
who uses this bank makes changes in who they
use...Blacklisting works...I know. I have been
blacklisted and am slowly being sucked under by the
system...all the while we have our military in a fake
act to protect and to re-create another country into our
policies and procedures of freedom... What happened to
freedom in your case and my case. We need to get the
problems of the United States straighened out before any
more lives are wasted in a war effort that is built on
fals e doctrine. Your situation must be finished and
positively so. I will continue to hold you in my
thoughts and prayers...I wish only the best of outcomes
for this situation. The risk takers of business do not
deserve such treatment. I am so sorry you are having to
face this situation...it should have never existed. It
is mean, hateful and debilitating of energy and drive to
succeed.
Veta H,
submitted 02/13/07
Mechanics and Farmers has a history of making
lidificult for African Americans which is ironic seeing
they are supposed to be a black institution. They would
not cash a check for my band even though my name was on
the check and we performed for the organization for ten
years. They asked for 2 signatures on the check which
they could not find in their files. (paper files that
is) They are a disgrace to the black community.
Randy J, submitted
02/27/07
I am surprised that this has not yet been fixed. I
can only imagine what is going to happen to this bank as
a result of them not doing the right thing. They don't
have enough employees to handle what few customers they
have. Apparently losing customers is what they want
Katrina M, submitted
03/05/07
My husband and I have a small account. We'll be
closing it.
Phyllis W, submitted 03/22/07
All parties should set down, work out their
concerns, and move forward. With the problems
that derail citizens in our community, this
situation, must be handled now. M/F knows that
the property value, and without futher malice,
M/F must be willing to work this problem out
with Mrs Wiley. Let us join brains, for a better
tommorrow.
Otis S, submitted 03/23/07
Hopefully the bank will come to there senses
and settle this. Keep up the fight
Tamara G, submitted 03/23/07
I met Mrs. Wiley at an event in Durham, NC and
was surprised to hear about this situation. My
family has banked with M&F for many years and
i'm sure my mother will not be happy about this
situation. She is a huge advocate for doing what
is right and after reading all this it appears
that the bank has forgotten why they were
founded.
Letitia S
