The banking and financial institutions industry has been nickel and dime-in customers to death for years. Their lobbyists, paid for with interest earned on OUR money, are sticking' it to us with the help of state and federal legislators. Is it another case of being unable to beat city hall? Or, can the average Joe have an impact. Citibank had $4.5 Billion in profits from consumer banking in the first half of 2003, and yet, they say they need to place a five day hold on check deposits to protect themselves.