Dear Editor,
When I saw the letter on Republic Bank: ‘ATM machine “disappeared“ money’ (SN, April 3), written by an irate customer who, among other things mentioned the two hours, “I sat in the bank just staring at people,” I chuckled, remembering that just the other day I was in a similar situation.
Some time last year I wrote castigating the slothfulness of the Linden branch of Republic Bank, commenting on the ordeal one has to endure, the prolong torturous waiting time of 2-3 hours sitting or standing! I also mentioned that it appears as if the bank lacks the capacity to deal with its large clientele expeditiously. In response, Jonelle Dummett, the bank’s Communications and Public Relations Officer was very polite and reassuring in her apology, and expressed much concern: “We value our customer relationship… grateful for the feedback as it allows us the opportunity to address areas of critical concern. We are continually reviewing our systems to ensure that this waiting time is minimized.”
Well, it has been some time since, and the Linden branch does looks well, having changed its physical appearance both on the inside and outside, but sad to report, the waiting time has not diminished in any noticeable way. You still have to be prepared to spend a considerable amount of time there.
One enters, joins the line and moves at a snail’s pace no matter what the nature of business. As one really upset customer said aloud: “Since I come in hey, duh woman standing at duh cage, and dat gurl with that baby getting look after, and is over half an hour I in this line.” So while the bank has changed its frame with its wonderful rearrangement, the picture remains the same with the processing of transactions proceeding at slothful pace, and this is what sets people’s nerves on edge. Once in a blue moon you may be, just may be, lucky enough to have a touch and go, but generally it’s all a go-slow.
But I want to make an observation here which everyone will instantly acknowledge: in spite of all those long waits there are no toilet periods for customers, and this is so unfortunate and tells an altogether different story. We do not know the health status of the customers who must go to the bank, thus many times people find themselves in awkward position; if they leave, upon their return they must start all over again.
It’s hard to figure out why such a facility was not given any consideration, except that no one really cares.
Yours faithfully,
Frank Fyffe
