TD Bank says computer problems are clearing

The problems that TD Bank N.A., formerly Commerce Bank, is having with its computers are far from over. But the bank said it was making progress in cleaning up the mess.

An overnight reconciliation process that should have been finished by 4 a.m. yesterday was finished by 10:30 a.m., meaning that customers should have been able to see all of Thursday's transactions by then.

That was an improvement over Wednesday's situation. Wednesday's transactions weren't completely processed until about 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

To cope with the problem, which began last weekend when the bank tried to merge the former Commerce Bank's system with one at a bank it had acquired in Maine, the company is trying to process all credits to accounts, including direct deposits, before it processes all debits to accounts, spokesman Nick Petter said.

Any direct deposits that came in around midnight on Thursday into yesterday are already available to customers.

Petter was dispatched from TD Bank's parent company in Toronto to help explain the problems.

Meanwhile, customers remained upset and angry. "Do you have any idea when we'll get our Social Security checks?" asked Doris Dobkin, 80, of Mount Laurel, who is worried about her direct deposit. "I only have about $100 left, and you know you can't live too long on that."

Customers checking their balances couldn't tell whether deposits had been credited or whether automatic bill payments had been made because they couldn't get up-to-date information about their accounts.

Many experienced long and frustrating waits on the telephone or in bank lines.

Executive vice president Fred Graziano said the bank was adding extra lines so customers don't get a busy signal. "We have been completely apologetic for the inconvenience," he said. "This brand is completely about customer service and, clearly, we haven't delivered it this week."

The bank has promised to make good on any bounced-check or late fees.