I don't want my reply to be taken the wrong way, so let me first state: (1) I'm not French, and I have no particular love for the French, (2) I have no affiliation with Bank of the West, (3) I support our troops 100%. That being said:
Won't boycotting Bank of the West harm the thousands of Americans who work at the hundreds of BotW branches here (in America)? Their website says Bank of the West has 300 branches and nearly 6,000 full-ime employees and a presence in most of the Wests population centers. Also, Essex Credit is owned by Bank of the West (and I just saw a thread on this board from some happy Essex Credit boat-financing customers.)
Happy Boating,
CS