An old-fashioned Bank?

phillw

BML said:

The  Barclays Bank person then asked me, “For what purpose do you want the money?” Absolutely shocked I replied, “That is none of your business.” The Barclays Bank person then replied, “Then I will not be able to give you any money” or words to that effect so I walked out.

At least you didn't lose money. They have a responsibility to make sure you aren't being scammed. If they didn't ask you and you got scammed, they would be liable to return the money.

If you make an online transfer and it gets blocked, they will ask you "has anyone told you what to say to get this transfer unblocked". I always respond "no, I wish they would as it's taking me ages to get you to do it". Which I'm sure they've heard 100 times a day, but it still makes me laugh.

binao

YorksLass said:

RobM99 said:

Back to the point - the Post Office offers a range of banking services to most high-street banks.

Yes, they do - but not when your local Post Offices closes as ours did last week!  Whilst the next nearest one is within walking distance, I wouldn't use it as it's situated in a convenience store (not a SM) on a parade of shops where there are several well known villains hanging around.

It's not a problem for me as I've happily used online banking for a number of years but it is causing issues for DH.  At 80+ he's not computer literate and has no desire to be so either.

I fully understand that banks are businesses but there seems to be no regard for "small" customers hence the number of bank branch closures and even removal of ATMs in some cases.  How times have changed.  

Yes, how times have changed. 

First the local sub Post Office closed and then the local old Crown post office closed.

The nearest PO is now full of customers from closed bank/building society branchs.
Yes, how times have changed!!

Eco_Miser

Brie said:

You might want to investigate credit unions which still have a tighter connection to their relevant communities.

Provided you don't mind your neighbours knowing your financial business.

I'm not suggesting anything improper, but when the tellers are your neighbours, and the manager is your local Councillor it's hard for them to not know.

msallen

Eco_Miser said:

Brie said:

You might want to investigate credit unions which still have a tighter connection to their relevant communities.

Provided you don't mind your neighbours knowing your financial business.

I'm not suggesting anything improper, but when the tellers are your neighbours, and the manager is your local Councillor it's hard for them to not know.

Which was pretty much the way it used to be in the much vaunted "old-fashioned bank" (think Capt Mainwaring in Dad's Army). I grew up in a village with one bank branch in it which was directly opposite our house. The manager and his family lived in the flat above the bank, and all but one of the other staff lived in the village too.

Nebulous2

msallen said:

Eco_Miser said:

Brie said:

You might want to investigate credit unions which still have a tighter connection to their relevant communities.

Provided you don't mind your neighbours knowing your financial business.

I'm not suggesting anything improper, but when the tellers are your neighbours, and the manager is your local Councillor it's hard for them to not know.

Which was pretty much the way it used to be in the much vaunted "old-fashioned bank" (think Capt Mainwaring in Dad's Army). I grew up in a village with one bank branch in it which was directly opposite our house. The manager and his family lived in the flat above the bank, and all but one of the other staff lived in the village too.

Most banking couldn't be done in our village, but in the nearest small town. The manager sat with his door open and was happy with deposits, but if he heard anyone making a large withdrawal he would go through and ask them why they needed the cash. It was a standing joke that he didn't want you accessing your own money. 

Fast forward to today, and with all the people being scammed and asked to move their money, it's very likely that we would be back to being quizzed about it if making an unusual withdrawal. 

Zanderman

Eco_Miser said:

Brie said:

You might want to investigate credit unions which still have a tighter connection to their relevant communities.

Provided you don't mind your neighbours knowing your financial business.

I'm not suggesting anything improper, but when the tellers are your neighbours, and the manager is your local Councillor it's hard for them to not know.

The tellers and manager could still be your neighbours if it was a bank.

elsien

Going back to the halcyon days, banks closing at 3.30 and not open on the weekend.
Headed off to my local branch on Saturday. Bank closing at 4:30 during the week and not open at all on Saturday. No use at all to those of us that work and can't get out at lunchtime.
Plus ca change…

callum9999

BML said:

Banking came to head for me today after a visit yesterday to a Barclays Bank at a small town near me to withdraw some money as the branch closest to me actually closes on Mondays. I then found that the Barclays Bank I was visiting had all its systems down so I had to use a nearby TSB Bank to obtain the amount of money I required.

I was at my local Barclays Bank at opening time Tuesday morning to find a queue and as soon as I got inside a Barclays Bank hustler approached me and asked the purpose of my visit. I replied, “To get some money out.” They then asked, “How much”. I was shocked at being asked such a question in an open queue and told Barclays Bank hustler that, “I had no intention of discussing my business in an open queue.”

After a wait of close to 20 minutes I eventually got to the customer point and asked the Barclays Bank person, “Why is there only one customer point open?” The Barclays Bank person replied, "Because there is only one computer point here.” Obviously the others had been removed. I told the Barclays Bank person that I had called to pick up some money that had been previously requested. The  Barclays Bank person then asked me, “For what purpose do you want the money?” Absolutely shocked I replied, “That is none of your business.” The Barclays Bank person then replied, “Then I will not be able to give you any money” or words to that effect so I walked out.

I am so disgusted in the manner that Barclays Bank is closing branches, attempting to force customers to use machines absolutely ignoring anything remotely inclined towards customer services that as a result it is my intention to move my account as soon as I find a Bank that does practices customer service. 

I have no idea why you'd be shocked by such an innocuous question. They're trying to work out if you would be able to make the withdrawal by ATM instead of wasting both your time and theirs.

And, as someone else already pointed out, they're worried that you're getting scammed and are attempting to help you. You come across as someone who is rather unpleasant to deal with if things don't go your way - perhaps they also mistook that as a sign you're under duress?

Eco_Miser

Zanderman said:

Eco_Miser said:

Brie said:

You might want to investigate credit unions which still have a tighter connection to their relevant communities.

Provided you don't mind your neighbours knowing your financial business.

I'm not suggesting anything improper, but when the tellers are your neighbours, and the manager is your local Councillor it's hard for them to not know.

The tellers and manager could still be your neighbours if it was a bank.

They could be, but I've never recognised anyone at any of the many banks I've used, but have known many at my local Credit Union (in other contexts) for years.

Perksy5

BML said:

Banking came to head for me today after a visit yesterday to a Barclays Bank at a small town near me to withdraw some money as the branch closest to me actually closes on Mondays. I then found that the Barclays Bank I was visiting had all its systems down so I had to use a nearby TSB Bank to obtain the amount of money I required.

I was at my local Barclays Bank at opening time Tuesday morning to find a queue and as soon as I got inside a Barclays Bank hustler approached me and asked the purpose of my visit. I replied, “To get some money out.” They then asked, “How much”. I was shocked at being asked such a question in an open queue and told Barclays Bank hustler that, “I had no intention of discussing my business in an open queue.”

After a wait of close to 20 minutes I eventually got to the customer point and asked the Barclays Bank person, “Why is there only one customer point open?” The Barclays Bank person replied, "Because there is only one computer point here.” Obviously the others had been removed. I told the Barclays Bank person that I had called to pick up some money that had been previously requested. The  Barclays Bank person then asked me, “For what purpose do you want the money?” Absolutely shocked I replied, “That is none of your business.” The Barclays Bank person then replied, “Then I will not be able to give you any money” or words to that effect so I walked out.

I am so disgusted in the manner that Barclays Bank is closing branches, attempting to force customers to use machines absolutely ignoring anything remotely inclined towards customer services that as a result it is my intention to move my account as soon as I find a Bank that does practices customer service. 

You've not worked in retail or retail banking and it really shows.
Staff have a duty of care in light of all these closures to make sure you're not being scammed or coerced or anything to your detriment.
'None of your business' is such a petulant answer to someone who isn't paid enough to listen to stroppy answers from customers taking their anger out on staff who literally have no say in how branches are operated. Its really sad.
You should really know better. Even describing them as 'hustler' 'bank person' as well. Shocking. Most internal cash points you can withdraw up to £2000 a day and ATMs £500 a day if you amend settings on your banking app and can revert it back or freeze it at anytime.
If I had go to the counter to withdraw anything higher than that I'd WANT to be questioned to be reassured my bank takes me personal and financial safety seriously. 
Have a day off.