Erin The Great

Today is one of those days where you wish you could just post something declaring to everyone on the planet to be nice to your bank tellers; they usually know what they are talking about. In fact, when it comes to operations, they usually are the most knowing in the entire bank!

Most tellers will tell you there are a few subjects that come up that you just pray go well, because if you don’t, you get chewed out royally if it’s something the customer doesn’t want hear. I have compiled a short list of complaints that we, as tellers here about the most. The reason most tellers are so knowledgeable on these subjects, is because we constantly have to explain them to customers. They are as follows;

• Funds Availability
  Over Drafts
  Auto Payments
  Debit Card Issues
  Availability of other staff members

Funds Availability – Every BANK (Credit Unions are different) abides by Reg CC or ‘Funds Availability’. Banks might have different check holding policies, but the underlining factor is the same where ever you go. Credit Unions follow their own rules. Please be aware of this before you storm your bank with daggers drawn. Banks make cash available the same say, local checks are the next day, and non-local checks are available after two days. Credit Unions make EVERYTHING same day availability. The only problem with this is if there is a chargeback (when a check you deposited doesn’t clear the other bank) on your account, you are screwed!

Over Drafts – Also called NSF or ‘non sufficient funds’. I’d like to think this is self explanatory, but apparently this notion is lost on a lot of people. Now everyone has bad months were you forget to document things, or something unexpected happens. This is totally understandable, but to constantly spend money that you don’t have is just plain irresponsible! My biggest pet peeve working for a bank is when people keep spending money when they know they don’t have it, and EVERY month these people come in wanting fees reversed and get mad at the tellers. It’s not our fault! Stop spending! Apparently I’m supposed to track everyone who banks here and physically take their card or checkbook out of their hands when their money runs out…. All this makes me want to do is find the closest heavy object and smack them with it and try and beat some sense into them… I’m adding a small thank you to the people who know they over draw their accounts and just acknowledge the fact that fees go with that and don’t complain.

*As a side note, please note that fees in general are just apart of banking life. You can’t avoid them. Banks have to make money. If you don’t like getting fees, might I suggest a piggy bank or stuffing your money in a mattress!

Auto-Payments – I agree that these are tricky sometimes, but they don’t have to be. The trick is to know what is coming out of where and for how much. I keep a list on my register with the date and amount on it so I don’t forget to have money in my account. It’s worked pretty well so far. If this is too difficult, just take everything off of auto payments. Here is a little loophole; if you have an auto-payment for a loan because you got the ½ % off the interest rate, all you have to do is have it go through the first couple of months and then sign a paper stating that you would like to discontinue the auto-pay. Usually your interest rate won’t be touched and you don’t have to deal with stress anymore.

Debit Card Issues – Here are the facts. You can only withdrawal a certain amount a day from the ATM. You can only spend up to a certain amount a day if you run it as a ‘debit’. If you run your debit card as ‘credit’ (yes you can do this), you can spend as much as you have in your account. If the place you are purchasing something from is having debit card issues, simply run it as a credit.

Availability Of Other Staff Members – If you call in for a specific person and they aren’t available. Don’t harass the person who answered the phone. We don’t like it. We also can’t help that the person you are looking for is currently busy. They don’t think you’re un-important and they would love to help you, you just need to be patient or leave a message and they will get back to you.

There are some tips and remember to please be nice to your tellers. If you are a jerk or a D-bag in anyway shape or form, they will remember you… and not for the good. If you have any additional questions, feel free to ask.