Meet Your Banker: A Free Banking Service

The next time you are in the bank, look around. The tellers’ counters are on one side (the no side) and the other side is the “friendly” side with the manager, a loan person and an investment advisor. If you are the typical customer, the teller may inform you that there is a hold on your deposit, a charge for something silly or some other “sorry” problem. Frustrating, isn’t it?

Solve most of these problems before they happen: meet your banker. Walk over to the friendly side and introduce yourself to the manager. Get their business card and give yours, if applicable. Do not think you are not “important enough” to do this; take a deep breath and do it.

“I moved here from Redding and wanted to introduce myself” or “I know you are the new manager and I have had an account here for three years; just wanted to say ‘hello.’”

I have given this advice for years and it really works but some people are intimidated by the thought because they are only minimum wage workers, bounce checks from time to time, or feel the advice doesn’t fit them. This advice is especially beneficial for your young high school and college age kids who are having their first banking experience. Years ago, a customer of mine took his kids to lunch specifically to pass on this advice. Years later, he told me about two “success” stories they had. Over the years, I have had so many “thank yous” especially from the “intimidated” people who took my advice and walked to the yes side.

One example from 40 years ago: We hired a welder who only had a green card. He had never had a bank account in the U.S. and wanted to open a new account: the bank declined. I made one phone call to the manager and it was solved. That example today would be much harder because there are government mandates for banks and financial institutions to “know your customer.”

Remember – This banking service is free.

      Please send questions to the V.I.P., P.O. Box 26, Montrose, CA 91021 or peter@viploan.com.