Bank practices or branch practices that have ceased....

twopenny

I* can remember when the bank manager would call at the house to discuss investments etc. Glass of sherry and nibles etc

They knew your business and would keep an eye for you.

Am I the only one who still has a bank with friendly staff?

It's a brilliant place but only 3 staff in a big building now. But it's a treat to go in, get a big smile and they know you. I've picked up all sorts of hints and tips from waiting in the queue and chatting.

I struggle with machines and online because I'm dyslexic and can't rely on getting the right numbers in the right order.

Was using cheques until a year ago. So easy to store the stubbs rather then paper receipts or finding the online ones have vanished.

Also it's easy to take a receipted copy to the people who say you haven't paid where finding the item in your statement can take an age and presenting it to said company.

UKX69

gsmh said:

DasTechniker said:

Freebies from your bank, cheque book covers, card wallets and NatWest gave out statement files for a while.

Cheque book covers! How I used to love collecting them! I still have several covers and cheque books from different banks. One of the earliest I have is from the Bank of Ireland, Leicester, in 1978 when I started my first job. I have cheque books and some covers from the original TSB, Lloyds-TSB, Secure Trust Bank, Triodos, Metro Bank, Co-operative Bank, Clydesdale, Nationwide, Santander, Smile, Citibank, Norwich and Peterborough, Nationwide, NatWest, Cahoot, Child & Co and Drummonds. I also have kept debit cards from many banks. I occasionally spend a good few minutes perusing my collection. The cheque stubs are especially interesting as they remind me of times long ago and where I spent my money.

Quite a collection. I think you qualify for inclusion in ‘ collective thoughts on card design’, over on the Monzo chat site! 😂

UKX69

I remember opening a First Direct account not long after they started and getting a package through the post with all sorts of freebies like a statement holder, card wallets etc.

Rudyson

Not a bank, but back in 1990 Amex sent me a leather card wallet when I joined. It was over and above the call of duty, as the offer went live a couple of weeks after I applied

UKX69

Rudyson said:

Not a bank, but back in 1990 Amex sent me a leather card wallet when I joined. It was over and above the call of duty, as the offer went live a couple of weeks after I applied

From what I can gather from other financial chat sites, Amex had a reputation for sending out ‘better quality’ freebies than anyone else.

brianposter

A cheque guarantee card that would work in the remote South American jungle.

EnPointe

M25 said:

New style banking is not perfect or always smooth but it definitely makes for an easier life.

I think people under 30 have no idea how grateful they should be for online banking.

it;s like this peculair thing of people  saying outdated stuff needs to be kept ' for the old people'   when they  themselves are now ' the old people' 

it rather upsets those of a cured pork product  persuasion when it is pointed out that  today's 80 year old retired in 2009/ 2010  and that the Nursing homes are playing Elvis not Vera Lynn  (as Elvis first  UK  record was released in 1956   so the 'teenagers' of 1956  were born  1936- 1943 and thus are in their 80s now  and  the elsdest of them turn 90 next year ) 

EnPointe

flaneurs_lobster said:

Staff wearing business attire rather than gym wear.

Teller checking your overnight balance on microfiche.

Having an "arrangement" at a second branch to allow cheque cashing.

having to change your branch ( and sort code  and account number)  when you  moved  home - as was a reality for peopel of my parents generation  ( unless you were with Girobank)

but for a me a  late Gen X   being able to keep my original sort code and account number but transact regardless of wherhe i was living in the UK  as a Student  and then  a working adult  from the mid 1990s  onward 

horsewithnoname

Not having to “prove it’s me” every bloody second of the day. 

Being able to spend my own money without the Spanish Inquisition. Everything is such a faff these days. 

EarthBoy

In the 80s I worked in a office a few miles from the city centre, with no banks nearby, and staff from the Midland Bank used to visit us every Friday, and pay day. We could cash cheques, make payments into accounts, and pay bills.