Many banks have started charging customers a fee, some up to $5 if
you use their human teller. Some banks will allow you a 1 time per month
person to person contact. This was a simple business decision made on
the part of management to encourage customers to utilize electronic
banking services such as ATM's and banking by phone. This move prompted
quite an annoyance to many bank customers. The national media feasted on
the event and created animosity between the reminiscent,
way-things-used-to-be-folk, and the net-surfing, need it in a hurry,
"can't you do that any faster" customers.
Banks say they have learned that automation, computerization and
electronic banking, though intimidating to many, is not only cost
effective but more efficient and fool-proof than ordinary human tellers.
"Since
many of us refuse to deposit our paycheck, withdraw money or make a
loan payment through the ATM, banks are forced to raise fees because it
costs a lot of money to continue paying a human workforce for tasks that
could be executed electronically". Says Mark Webb, CFO of First
National Bank.
This has created 18 Billion dollar problem that
consumers failed to recognize. Online, Automated, Phone, Electronic
whatever you want to call it banking misleads and even encourages
customers from checking their paper statements and reconciling their
accounts every month. I would go as far as saying the "can't you do that
any faster" customer do not even open their monthly paper statement.
This
leaves the banks the perfect opportunity for unethical and unfair
business practices. I'm sure at this point you are asking how. As you
can know if you are following my research on bank fees, I'm about to
tell you.
By failing to open your paper statement, you miss the opportunity to
rummage through your home looking for your grandmothers reading glass
(magnifying glass for you youngsters) and reading those thin, slick
little inserts laced with changes bank in your bank's procedures. Such
as Fee increases. By pushing electronic banking down your throat they
also encourage you to just "check your balance" everyday and go from
there. I have actually called a bank over fee issues and my inability to
keep up with the lightening speed they deduct them from your bank
account, and had a teller say to me "don't you check your balance online
every morning."
Feespeak
Posted by CB Blogger
Blog, Updated at: 8:40 AM
