Is there such a thing as a bank that treats us like paying customers?

I used to have the same problem with banks in general.

I got around it by, creating a bit of a fuss about something very insignificant, and asking for a direct line to that branch for future enquiries. It worked. Since then I always call the branch direct and receive a much better service. Sometimes it does pay to make oneself noticed.

For years I have had a problem with the attitude of many banking

staff, but since I have been able to call direct to my branch, the level of service is considerably better..

I have always been of the opinion that banks are retailers, nothing more

and nothing less. They buy and sell money Because unfortunately

some of the staff (not all I hasten to add) assume this air of authority when dealing with customers (who are keeping them in their jobs), and so many people need loans/overdrafts, a lot of customers acquiesce and only further feed their 'power trip' by a never ending series of 'thank you so much' and thus giving them an even bigger ego!

Without customers, they would not have their jobs, and some of them do need to be reminded that there are many banks now who are looking for, and need new customers!

Apologies for going on, but it is a topic that I have a strong opinion about.

Where I bank, the tellers are very nice and courteous. I've never had

any problem with recordings answering the phone. There's always

a living breathing person at the other end. They also offer free coffee

near the door, and often popcorn from a little popcorn cart as well.

But many years ago, I went into the Bank Of America near where

we lived in Phoenix, and had my eyes opened at a new approach to

courtesy by a bank. It didn't look like a bank, first of all. There were

overstuffed chairs to sit and wait your turn. And we approached

individual tables when it was our turn. They had sweet rolls in the

mornings and had fresh coffee or tea to offer. And there were give aways during promotions. You never knew what they were going to

offer next. I still have a silver Kachina ring that they offered during an

early promotion. It was adjustable to fit almost anyone. It was a

pleasure to go inside and be treated so elegantly. They bent over

backwards to make you feel welcome. Since then, I've never seen

anything like that bank. But I'd like to.

Not just banks Insurance companies as well. You telephone them get about 10 options none of which seem to fit and then get put through to India. However guess what if you are opening a NEW account as a NEW customer Hey presto you get to speak to someone in UK

This says to me that the bans and insurance companies are there only to collect money not give a proper service. it's the same with your Computer service provider you are through to the sub-continent and have the difficulty of mutual misunderstanding at about £1 a minute.

A scam which is little more than a licence to print money and you thought the government did it

When I lived in Sydney I would bank at the Commonwealth Savings Bank of Australia but after they were no longer owned and operated the customer service went down hill--I left this branch.

I decided to put my monies into the Banana Coast Credit Union in Coffs Harbour and it is a wonderful banking experience--like you said --people know who you are you are treated like king of the hill.

I would suggest a Credit Union over in the UK, there are several good ones over there, look into what they have to offer.

Good luck

So much business today is conducted in a very impersonal manner in which you are made to feel like a number or a unit or something besides a living, breathing human being. Across the counter, however, employees are made to feel ignorant and unsophisticated when they attempt to create a personable and friendly atmosphere. There are people on both sides of the counter that are snobbish and cold and seemingly uncaring. I have found this to be true when conducting business in large urban areas where the social stresses are at the highest. That is one of the reasons that I chose to retreat to the hinterland of Texas where people are still people and they are not self-conscious or hesitant to reveal themselves.

Banks are driven by profit as their bottom line requires. With technology, it is more cost effective to have you call in rather than pay a person to wait on customers. I think computers have been the down fall of banking and caused it more problems than solutions, but that's where we are and there's no going back.

Little Nell...Where have you been? I live in the south now & my bank makes me feel as though I'm back in the 50's & 60's again. Everyone is SO friendly & they call me by my first name. (Ms. _______) Talk about feeling that my banking business is important to them! I almost fell over when I first moved down here & got established with my bank. I thought I'd traveled back in time. Each & every time I visit my bank, I am treated just as warmly as my first day. I can call them & ask certain questions, but of course, there are sensitive questions I can no longer ask, thanks to the threat of ID theft. I like using the drive through window & while sitting in my car, I admire the moss hanging down from the Confederate Oak trees. I feel as though I'm living in the Civil War era. Sorry to ramble!

Well, I live in the US of A and I don't like banks as they charge a fee for almost all their services.

I belong to a Federal Credit Union which works like a bank but the customers are share holders and they don't charge fees for services.

I've always been treated nice at the credit union.

of course -- the problem everyone wants to bank on line and do not know the tellers by there first name -- i do all my banking in person and i do not use the drive through!!! every year i get a christmas card from all my banking institutions -- even edward jones and country wide!!!

What bugs me is that the call centres are all in India

and they don't understand me and I can't tell a word they say.

I do have a feeling though that the banks are going to have

to work harder for our money in future, just watch the service

improve.