Telephone Banking - The Other side of the Story:

Telephone Banking – The Other side of the Story :

Major Difference :
Banking by phone is very useful and convenient, but you will never get the same service you’d expect in a Bank’s branch directly, when you are present face to face .

According to First Direct customers, telephone banking is exciting…

But then some famous Banks abandoned their call centres because customers were leaving in droves.

Really telephone banking is a double-edged sword, and only some banks got it right. It does not suit all all the time.

Vital issue:

I want to talk to a real person, quickly, who has my account information to hand so that I can discuss instead of Talking !!

Between .....

Telephone banking is in between branch and internet banking- in the case of First Direct it’s a total business.

Limitations:
What you can do over the phone Banking is limited compared to online, but depends entirely on the bank’s setup and arrangements.

All banks will let you do balance and statement enquiries by phone; most will examine statements, list standing orders, tell you if a cheque has been cashed or is there any delay etc.

Annoying process:
Sometimes this is done through a call centre where you will speak to a real person; sometimes it is done using your phone buttons, the annoying and miserable god forsaken process of “Press 1 for balances, 2 for this and that "

So if you know you won’t be stepping into branches (you’re too busy, or Due to High parking costs and Lots , you’re housebound, or simply live in a far off area) then before opening a bank account, ask what their telephone banking facilities are. And most importantly ask to have a number for your branch as well as a general enquiry line.

Call Centres:
Call centres are invariably in overseas locations these days, so don’t expect an investment decision over the phone unless you can chat to your own bank manager.

Good use for Telephone banking:

There is one other use for phone banking, and that is for offshore purposes.

Lloyds TSB Offshore, for example, operates a telephone banking service for its offshore customers, which makes perfect sense for managing finances on a global scale.


C.EASHWER - SINGAPORE