Incompetence exposed at bank

Gray Easley
Columnist

September 30, 2008 11:37 am

— Well, I finally received a genuine certified cashier’s check for 76 cents. Be still my beating heart. Wow! Read on and learn the rest of the story.
A few months ago, we had idle cash on hand. This meant two things, unobligated funds and no interest accumulating on these funds. This was not good.
After reasonable research, we contracted for three (3) small CDs of equal amounts at a good rate of interest. Readers should note this was a branch bank not affiliated with any local institution.
The CDs matured and we decided to take the money and interest elsewhere. We received three checks. Two checks bore identical amounts. The third check was short seventy-six cents. The amount was truly trifling but unexplained.
A most pleasant lady sitting at the front desk could not explain the discrepancy. She called the home bank and received the same answer, a polite response but no answer.
Readers know that I write for fun and pleasure. Read on while I tell the story.
My polite letter to bank headquarters was apparently ignored and never answered. I do not enjoy being ignored so the next letter went to the Texas Banking Commission. This one was not ignored.
I was politely informed by letter the institution in was a national bank and I should write to the appropriate federal office (address included). One more letter went to the feds.
Their response was two letters written the same day asking for more information. Naturally, I complied with their request and sent another letter.
Within a week or two, I received my 76-cent check in the mail. It was attached to a copy of my original letter. However, and this is worth noting, the bank offered no explanation or apology.
That bank will never ever again have me listed as a bank customer of theirs. They had their chance and blew it. The reasons have been detailed in preceding paragraphs.
My detractors will pounce on the rather piddling amount and refer to me in uncomplimentary terms.
I agree with them concerning the few pennies. The problems were not of my making and could have been resolved rather quickly. Some one should have paid the 76 cents from petty cash.
Money, along with my trust, had been deposited with that bank. My faith in that bank was damaged by their actions and attitudes.
The problem began with an apparent mistake, compounded with incompetent employees in two or more offices, and cemented with absolute arrogance.
In total, my calculations indicate postage exceeded five dollars and that ignores any labor, materials, or handling.
I doubt if that bank will ever realize their rather sloppy procedures would create a customer problem that would create complaint files at the state and federal offices.
Maybe their mistake was for them to ignore. I guess the amount could have been $7.60, $76.00, or even $760.00. Next time it will not be with my money...

Grady Easley is retired from gainful employment. You may send an E-mail to him at page65@att.net