that is why I feel that they are not a good bank - period. I can leave any day
It worries me that they do not count - the $ they earn in interests from mortgage is a lot more than the annual fee they charge on CR cards. They really need to be educated. It is beyond comprehension here.

and as a btw, I always settle monthly balances on CR cards - this may be why they are not giving me the waiver. But then I am just being skeptical, I know

most banks in Asia already do not charge annual fee (if they see that you do use their cards) and it is such an old-school thing. It is a shame that they are still charging.