The Bank Next Door

There’s a branch office for a national bank right next door to my office. I can peer into the drive-up window from my ‘consultation room’ – the room with my desk that‘s loaded with charts and the bookcase mementoes (that include the medical textbooks that predate paid iPad subscriptions).

On Saturday, crews of movers installed all new furniture. I recognized the name on the boxes as top of the line. I am sure that the bank employees will like the new stuff – but what was wrong with the furniture that was delivered last year? Redecorating the branch seems to be a yearly event and replacing the computers occurs semiannually.  I’m not a customer but have noticed the swap-outs since the extremely large delivery trucks block the common driveway.

Two years ago the tellers started wearing matching light blue shirts and navy cardigans. I suppose that made it easy for the customers to figure out the blue-shirted person behind the counter worked there.

According to the television commercials for this national bank there is no reason to even go to the redecorated branch office. Snap a photo of the check and consider it deposited. No need to get cash since there is an ATM on every block. And there are so many commercials! On the most popular TV shows! 

There must be a substantial budget to pay for these marketing initiatives. Would the average customer be less inclined to bank there is a portion of that budget were diverted to the public good? Keeping down bank fees for low-wage workers would be a good start. Rather than showing lions at the zoo, how about a public service announcement or two?