I've been banking for 30 years with the same BOI branch in Dublin. My salary is paid directly into it every fortnight.
I'm not in debt, and not in financial trouble. Maybe the opposite - I've got substantial savings with them.
I also have a lot of money in my current account as a result of closing and transferring from my Halifax savings account.
The other day I went into the branch - about 20 minutes before closing. I wanted to withdraw 5K in cash.
A spotty teenager behind the counter copped an attitude immediately, telling me he 'would only give me 4K'.
Now, there are signs at the tellers counters saying you can withdraw a maximum of 5K per day. I asked where this 4K limit was coming from? He stared at me like a goldfish. I asked again. Where does this 4K figure come from?
"Security reasons" sez he.
Whose security sez I?
"Its almost closing time" sez he.
So what, sez I!!
"You should have given us notice" sez he.
Where does it say I have to give any bloody notice to withdraw my own money sez I.
"you need clearance from the customer service rep, over there" sez he.
OK, I said, and proceeded to the 'Customer service' counter.
I explained what I needed to the female clerk. She then picked up the phone and called spotty teen, and commenced cajoling and whinging to him , could he give me (30 year customer) my OWN 5K pretty please??
After several mutterings back and forth she asked me to sign a withdrawal slip, and then said "I have have to get this approved by the Branch Manager" and slipped off into a backroom.
After several minutes she reappeared and said - ok, we'll give you the money, but can I ask you, why do you want it in cash?
I replied - no you cannot ask me.
I took the slip, got the money, and left.
Now I've banked all over the world, most recently in the Far East where I withdrew 12K over the counter in cash and nobody even blinked.
What is it with the Irish banks?
Are they afraid of a run??
5K, fer gods sake! You'd think I was pulling out a 100K or something.
I'm inclined to find a new bank which doesn't flip at the sight of cash.
Anybody know one?
I'm not in debt, and not in financial trouble. Maybe the opposite - I've got substantial savings with them.
I also have a lot of money in my current account as a result of closing and transferring from my Halifax savings account.
The other day I went into the branch - about 20 minutes before closing. I wanted to withdraw 5K in cash.
A spotty teenager behind the counter copped an attitude immediately, telling me he 'would only give me 4K'.
Now, there are signs at the tellers counters saying you can withdraw a maximum of 5K per day. I asked where this 4K limit was coming from? He stared at me like a goldfish. I asked again. Where does this 4K figure come from?
"Security reasons" sez he.
Whose security sez I?
"Its almost closing time" sez he.
So what, sez I!!
"You should have given us notice" sez he.
Where does it say I have to give any bloody notice to withdraw my own money sez I.
"you need clearance from the customer service rep, over there" sez he.
OK, I said, and proceeded to the 'Customer service' counter.
I explained what I needed to the female clerk. She then picked up the phone and called spotty teen, and commenced cajoling and whinging to him , could he give me (30 year customer) my OWN 5K pretty please??
After several mutterings back and forth she asked me to sign a withdrawal slip, and then said "I have have to get this approved by the Branch Manager" and slipped off into a backroom.
After several minutes she reappeared and said - ok, we'll give you the money, but can I ask you, why do you want it in cash?
I replied - no you cannot ask me.
I took the slip, got the money, and left.
Now I've banked all over the world, most recently in the Far East where I withdrew 12K over the counter in cash and nobody even blinked.
What is it with the Irish banks?
Are they afraid of a run??
5K, fer gods sake! You'd think I was pulling out a 100K or something.
I'm inclined to find a new bank which doesn't flip at the sight of cash.
Anybody know one?