Dear Editor,
It is not often that I choose to go public with things that affect me personally, but I think I should bring this issue to the fore, as it seems to be the only way the powers that be would pay attention to persons affected. So please permit me some space in your paper, in the interest of all concerned.
I had a MasterCard account closed with Scotia Bank 2 months ago, and I find myself still receiving statements showing interest charges. I visited the bank after receiving the first statement, and the officer assured me that the company that manages the MasterCard account in Barbados will be notified to revert the charges. The following month, I received another statement for the said account, this time the charges were increased.
I am in the bank as I pen this letter, as, for 2 days in two months, I have had to leave work to attend to this matter, and the waiting time in the bank is one hour minimum.
I requested assistance from one of the “express” staff, who just casually told me one has to join the line and wait, as “there must have been a justifiable reason for the charges to be made” to my account. I was not happy with this answer, and I let him know it.
When, one hour after, I spoke to one of the officers, I was again assured that I received the statement in error.
I am beginning to wonder if the bank is benefiting in some way by having people wait in line, or if it is a power play by some members of staff.
I have seen the management of the bank making efforts to reduce the time customers spend at the bank, but I don’t think the staff has gotten the memo.
While I have been banking at that institution for decades, I am of late being made to rethink my relationship, because of the attitude of some of its staff.
Further, while in the line, I am advised that other persons had similar issues, wherein errors by the bank/staff have resulted in them having to be wasting hours and cash travelling back and forth.
Someone needs to remind the staff that the reason for them being there is to serve the customers, without whom there would be no bank. Customers should not be made to feel insulted when enquiries are made about their accounts.
I am therefore appealing to the powers that be to assist customers.
Rev’d Fr
Raymon Cummings
