anyone else had the same problem with BARCLAYS

Scousebird_2

Redemption wrote: »

Do you ever think back to the days when the bank manager was regarded as a respected professional person, perhaps only a tiny step down from the family solicitor, doctor and the local vicar? In about 10 to 15 years you, as a trade (not profession I might add), have moved to a position where most of your customers regard you as money grabbing, dishonest salesmen - at best!

I tried to be as least biased as possible when making comments (see my last comment above) but in some defence to BarclaysManager, as much as I don't always agree with his/her comments, I do feel that Branch Managers within most banks but in particular in Barclays and others I won't mention. the primary focus and purpose of a Branch Manager's role nowerdays is to oversee the compliance and maximise the level of ''sales through service'' that can be extracted from every customer, and if the branch doesn't perform within the targeted guidelines without a damn good excuse, that manager is sent packing or back training (or a coaching plan....whatever the powers that be decide). It is a sorry way that the industry has gone...and again, I am not supporting the following comment but.....it's business...plain and simple. And it's harsh.

I have learnt that to work in Banking, you have to be a certain type of person and if you are someone who wants to ''help'' without selling or profit then the Citizens Advice Bureau is the route to take (as I have been told many times in the past), regardless of how much you helped that customer or how outstanding your level of service is.

I feel that some of the comments made by barclaysmanager are very much a refelction of what is conditioned in the mind as experience develops and therefore may not be a direct opinion of what he ACTUALLY feels.

I could be wrong and if he comes back and says he completely supports everything that the company he works for does then I am wrong....and unlike many in the business world...I will admit this as I am not perfect.

I just think that banking is extremely sales focused these days, and is justified by the fact that the customer indeed has a 'free' service. This was certainly the case 20 years ago, but nowerdays unfortunately in the majority of cases, is not accurate and the hatred for the banking industry is now very much formed from this stigma.

So I agree, gone are the days when a Bank Manager was respected for his/her role in society and it's not just the way that some people in the industry comment that highlights this public perception. But in defence, there are people in banking who do care about others and sell because that's what they signed up to do, being told that it is ''helping'' the customer. And once you are in, it is hard to get out-the pay certainly doesn't keep you there, but the simple fact that you have bills to pay does and when you have a family to support, leaving that job is hard.

Hope this is a balanced view.