Some grumble, some patient as Atlantic Union Bank absorbs American National

But some former account holders of American in the region told of banking interruptions.

They reported difficulties in the wake of a statement by Maria Tedesco, president and chief operating officer of Atlantic Union, that bank personnel worked since last summer toward this week’s union and carried it to success. The acquisition of Danville-based American National brought Atlantic Union to 135 branches.

“Maybe they put the name on the building nice, but you can’t pay your bills,” said Daniel Buonocore of Rocky Mount, a former American National customer who called The Roanoke Times to voice concern. He contended Atlantic Union made a “debacle” of the transition.

Area branches of American National now bear Atlantic Union signs, Atlantic being the surviving bank of their $507-million deal effective April 1. Atlantic issued its new customers new bank cards. The merger of banking systems, what Atlantic began this week, is usually one of the last steps as banks unite and glitches aren’t unusual.

Buonocore said he signed into a former American National account he manages for his mother but, on Atlantic Union’s platform, was unable to pay her bills as likes to do near the end of each month. Her Social Security and pension checks are due Saturday.

“If the system is not fixed by the first, what’s going to happen to that money?” he said.

Atlantic Union did not respond to two emailed requests for comment Thursday.

Other bank customers seemed to take the transition in stride.

Vicki Francois, who banked American National, said she’s satisfied with Atlantic Union as she exited a Roanoke County branch Thursday. Though her personal bank account formerly with American National Bank had a glitchy transition, all issues were resolved within a day, she said. She said she had no reason to think Atlantic Union’s handling of her business…