Banks have always been different from other enterprises. For example, suppose you frequent the local butcher. You would expect him to be helpful and fair everytime you visit or you would probably go somewhere else. However, banks need only be nice once to get your money after which it pays handsomely to be nasty - particularly since the bank next door is just the same.
Anyone can spare a smile, including bank staff but the devil is in the small print which is crafted by evil and greedy sorcerers far from innocent eyes.
One customer stated - "I can't fault the staff, they were well turned out and so eager to please I thought they were on something. They gave me a great current account with 1.1% AER interest on balances over £10,000. It was only when I got my bank statements I discovered that if I was recorded as saying 'innit' on CCTV I would be charged £37.50 for each occasion. Coming from Croydon, I was up to my overdraft limit within days."
Nationwestander's use of CCTV is a grim reminder that the bank is now simply just another government department, adding about as much value as a robotic prostitute and more there to prop up the UK's deficit than help anyone.
Even more 'government-like' is their aversion to trumpet blowing. For example, the Department for Schools and Knives does not rebuild schools when they eventually fall down - work must be done by the 'building excellent schools partnership'. Similarly banks are by spellbound by charters, constitutions and pledges in the hope of feeling more like churches than 'Oliver' soup-kitchens.
However Nationwestanders's latest charter does at least make more 'down to earth' reading stating "We'll change anything you like as long as it's not '08' numbers, 4 day cheque clearance, sneeky fees, pathetic interest rates, or the permanent hold message that starts "Due to unpresidented demand.."."
