Sir, – The description of a Bank of Ireland "climbdown" on their new withdrawals policy is inaccurate "Bank of Ireland climbs down on transaction limits", November 5th). The policy has not been withdrawn. This would be more accurately characterised as a clarification at best.
As such it fails to address one of the core issues with this policy – that the elderly, visually impaired, and any other customers the bank deems vulnerable will now have that vulnerability highlighted to everyone else present in a branch by the different treatment they receive with the obvious attendant negative personal security consequences, particularly after leaving the safety of the bank premises.
Those glibly suggesting that if the new policy doesn’t suit then affected customers should switch bank ignore the fact that it is the customers for whom switching presents the most difficulty (conveniently for the bank) that are targeted here. They also ignore the likelihood of other banks now joining this race to the bottom. – Yours, etc,
JOE MOLLOY,
Glasnevin, Dublin 11.
Sir, – Who would have thought that Bank of Ireland could scrape the bottom of the barrel with even more arrogance? They want to restrict the human side of banking even more, pay fewer tellers and use technology to increase profits. The Government should start taking away their toys. After what the banks have cost the Irish people, I suggest that they do not deserve to hold on to the parliament building in College Green. Think of the treasure it would if the Irish people got it back. – Yours, etc,
MICHAEL GREHAN,
Terenure,
Dublin 6W.
Sir, – I am sure that most of the staff at Bank of Ireland are set targets to sell added-value products to their customer base and what better way to achieve such sales than being face to face with a customer. There used to be a phrase in banking known as relationship banking but a much reduced customer contact erodes that. – Yours, etc,
NEIL JOHNSON,
Stillorgan, Co Dublin.
A chara, – Bank of Ireland should do the decent thing and put a big “Keep Out” sign on all branches. – Is mise,
MARIAN McHUGH,
Strandhill,
Sligo.