Does anybody go into a bank anymore? - Are bank tellers the next extinction?

OAS · 07-30-2002, 08:16 PM

I was printing up some new checks today and it dawned on me that I haven’t been in a bank for over 4 years now. I use direct deposit or ATM’s for all deposit/cash withdrawals. I do not have a checkbook, I use Versacheck to print all checks that I need to write out, but I print most checks from the computer. I do all my account review and balancing online and import data from the bank into Versacheck for balancing. I transfer check data to quicken for tax purposes. I actually print very few checks as I pay most bills either online or through automatic bill pay. For those I want to control, I either pay on their web site, like my credit cards, Verizon etc or I pay over the phone using my Visa check card.

I just finished financial paperwork/loans for my daughters upcoming tuition, that was all done over the web. No need to go to the bank.

So I’m wondering, will we even need bank branches all over the place in the future? Will tellers be out of work soon? I bank at First Union and they now charge you on certain accounts if you even come in and use a teller.

The same thing comes to mind when I travel. I haven’t used a travel agent in years. All travel plans are done on the internet. Are they soon to be extinct also?

Other than easy access porn, has the web changed the way you handle certain transactions?

crx girl · 07-30-2002, 08:19 PM

i don't think i've gone into the bank since i opened my account 3 years ago. the only check i write is for rent, everything else i pay online. and i don't think i've ever used a travel agent...

Arpikarhu · 07-30-2002, 08:21 PM

it took me 2 hours the other day to find my checkbook. i go into a bank once a year to deposit cash. i dont use travel agents anymore. i dont go into clothing stores, shoe stores, computer stores, or a florist. i do it all on the computer. for x-mas i keep astack of catalogs that i have earmarked and now it takes me 5 minutes to do all my x-mas shopping.

Maynard · 07-30-2002, 08:22 PM

I use First Union too, and I have one of those accounts where they charge you go inside.

I actually prefer having my checking account like this.

I think you'll always have to talk to someone to open the account in the first place though.

Maynard · 07-30-2002, 08:23 PM

Quote:i dont go into clothing stores, shoe stores, computer stores, or a florist. i do it all on the computer.

So basically the computer has turned you into a homebody. Right?

Arpikarhu · 07-30-2002, 08:25 PM

i am working on it. i hate mankind and want to limit my exposure

Sloatsburgh · 07-30-2002, 08:25 PM

I only visited tellers to get rolls of quarters. I would park in the back, walk through the branch to get to the ATM in the front, then bring a $20 to teh teller to get two rolls of quarters.

That and to turn in rolls of pennies and nickles.

OAS · 07-30-2002, 08:28 PM

Quote:I think you'll always have to talk to someone to open the account in the first place though.

That's the challenge. However I believe banks like Citibank have spun off banks like Wingspan that are trying to pioneer full internet banking. Congress has to tighten up some laws that will eventually make it safe to open an account online. You can do it with online trading, banks are next.

PollyannaFlower46 · 07-30-2002, 08:31 PM

I haven't seen a teller since I opened my account 4 years ago, but since my bank (Dime) merged with Washington Mutual, I am going to have to go in one of these days to change my pin number to something I can remember. When I was working as a manager of a store in the mall, I had to go in person to make our deposits, but when I was managing the movie theater, the armed car would come for our cash.

I pay most of my bills via the internet and only really write paper checks for doctor visits, and gifts. Most things are taken automatically from my account like my gym membership, etc.

When it comes to shopping, I prefer to go into the stores because its hard to really get a grasp of what something really looks and feels like via a picture. I do buy shoes and lingerie online though.

And thinking about it more, when my bank was the Dime, it cost $3 to see a teller, and if I want to talk to a live person from Sprint, it costs $3 as well, even if its their fault you need to talk to them.

Edited By PollyannaFlower46 on July 30 2002 at 4:33

LZMF1 · 07-30-2002, 08:41 PM

Fisrt Union Online banking rules

Keyser Soze · 07-30-2002, 08:44 PM

I was just at the bank this afternoon. I do alot of freelance web development and design and wind up having various companies cut me a check. Since I am not a employee of the company its easier to just cut me a check than do direct deposit like my regular employer does. I still get lots of checks sent to me so I take trips to the bank every so often.

I don't trust ATMs for making deposits.

Maynard · 07-30-2002, 08:44 PM

Have you ever had a problem depositing in the ATM?

I've never had a single problem. Ever.

LZMF1 · 07-30-2002, 08:45 PM

Quote:I've never had a single problem. Ever.

me too

Kid Afrika · 07-30-2002, 08:51 PM

Quote:I bank at First Union and they now charge you on certain accounts if you even come in and use a teller.

$8/ visit to a teller, but I get free checking.

And yes, FirstUnionOnline Banking f00king 0WNZ!!!11

PollyannaFlower46 · 07-30-2002, 08:56 PM

The only thing I won't deposit in an ATM is cash, checks I don't worry about.

OAS · 07-30-2002, 08:57 PM

Quote:I don't trust ATMs for making deposits.

Never, ever had a problem. Some significant deposits. With online banking, you can see within an hour if the ATM conditionally credited the account.

The one thing that pisses me off about First Union online is how long it takes to post a transaction. The money comes out immediately from the available balance but it can take them 3 to 4 days to update the transaction. The nice thing though is you can now view copies of your check online. Nice!

Sloatsburgh · 07-30-2002, 09:00 PM

I had one problem with an ATM. I mistaken a red strapped ($500) pile of bills as 25 $20 instead of the 25 $10. Well, the teller was $250 off and the first person to come in befuddled holding 2 $10 bills quickly solved our mystery and made me feel like an ass for 2 minutes.

And I did, as a teller, did fuck up this one pretty girls account. The check she was depositing was from another bank customer. I took the money out of her acocunt and put into the other. Since she came through the drive thru, there was no way the bank was going to do right by her (i.e. sit down, list the grievances (bad check fees), repair credit history, do all the things necessary in a bank FUCK UP) and I am sure she left us. No big deal. I left too.