Personal Blogs

 This morning while listening to Radio Wales and their phone in regarding more closures of banks and removing ATM's l began to think, why do we give banks  our money ? Do we mistakenly think it is in our own interest to hand over our cash because we feel it is in safe keeping ?Is it because that is the way we are conditioned ? Do we feel we are doing them a favour by handing over our cash and the thought that it is being protected gives us the illusion that all is  fine ?

What we tend to forget is banks are private institutions and like any other company they are,  there to make a profit for the stakeholders /shareholders. Just like any other company they will attract you with gimmicks to bank and find ways to make a profit for themselves. I feel that we have this false sense of security that they are there to serve us . The choices are being cut for the customer for profits and gain.

They will say that their surveys show how popular on-line banking is, but who are the surveys targeted at ? What questions are asked open or closed ? What is the banks aim? Who is actually paying for the computer systems ?

Sadly they discriminate and cause many divisions due to profit making, these can be noted through the ways and means they have to prevent you accessing your cash under the guise of the  on -line banking . They entice you with on line- banking ,you can access your account 24  hour  on-line.  The only to other possible  positive can be seen is the direct debit  system .

However, computer glitches, slow broadband and waiting for hours on the other end of a phone to speak to customer service rep who really is not that bothered about your situation and hardly goes past the first screen unless prompted is the just the start .  Direct debits can be delayed due circumstances beyond your control and you have to pay for the privilege of the  hold up causing more stress and anxiety, because you have to go through so many leaps and bounds to talk to someone, instead of being able to access a local branch.

    Has anyone considered that some may not have access to computer, or  be computer illiterate ? We have heard that the system is reliable, but we only have to look at the recent news surrounding the Post office and their computer system to know that, things can go very wrong.  

What happens  to parts of the population that are struggling with onset of Dementia or Alzheimer along with others that may find it difficult and confusing. ?

 Rural communities , are the banks going to pay travelling costs so people in those communities can    travel to  one of the rare branches that are still open, so they can have  human contact and be able to explain their issue  and be allowed to release their money? The pop up banks can only give a limited time at locations and thus not able to accommodate all that may require their services. What is the point of this ?, As l see it,  it is a customer relation  exercise to appease some customers, patronizing way to keep your money.

The choices of banking are being taken away and this can be done because they are  private companies. They have been very good at suggesting  you have a choice but then once they have your money your choices are then limited as to how you can access your money for their  financial   gain not for your convenience !  Next time we decide to bank maybe we should interview them to see if they are worthy enough to be trusted with our hard owned cash !