We are a community bank with 13 branches in different market areas. We were wondering if there would be a discrimination isue in not offering identical accounts in all market areas. i.e. different products for different market areas (However, one of the consistent products offered in all markets is free checking) Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

I think that is a fairly common practice. You need to decide exactly how you will handle requests for the accounts in other branches. If Joe learns of a special product, can he get the product at any branch or only if he goes to a specific branch office?

This is fairly common but the supporting reasons must be well documented. Those can be: offering higher rates to introduce a new branch, offering different products/rates to compete with the banks in a particular market area. Have documentation to show what banks those are and what they offer.

We had separate products but found that some customers traveled between areas and wanted the better deal from the other area, but could be serviced at what was their original branch.

By setting a standard as much as possible, it was easier on those of us who had to review everything and discuss it with the customers, like the call center. It was simpler. But as noted, you certainly can have different offerings and pricing.