Why would a bank teller adamantly refuse to initial my transaction?

Question

For the past 9 years, I have had to deal with a credit union where the tellers are cliquey, and often openly rude and gossipy. They have made mistakes on my bank deposits, accounts etc. which have cost me over $100.00. When I confronted them, they did not resolve the problem; I was forced to accept my losses, but I asked if they would each initial every transaction from then on. This week, while depositing my paycheques, I noticed that the transaction was not initialed by the teller, so I asked her to please initial it. At that point, she loudly and rudely informed me at length that she would stamp the transaction, but not initial it. Any advice?

Please note that I have to use this credit union, that's all there is in my town.

After reading the reply from the former bank manager, I have another question?
If it's "not technically part of her job", why does my receipt form have a space on it which says 'Tellers Initials'?

Answer 1

Change banks!

Answer 2

The bank and credit union computers these days all track who ran your transaction, at which branch, when, etc. This is in part to correct errors like yours and in part to monitor for employee theft. So as long as you keep your receipt you'll be fine. A teller is not required to initial your transaction. It would be courteous to do so, but apparently courtesy is not something they have in spades there. I've worked with a teller for a couple of years who was one of the best at processing transactions, did everything by the book, but she was so paranoid about being liable for a bank loss that she would not make any exceptions for anyone. I could see a person like that refusing to sign your receipt because that's technically not a part of her job.

So, hold on to the receipts. Keep your checkbook balanced to the penny. If the credit union ever shorts you or makes an error of any sort that costs you money, go to the service manager or branch manager, NOT the tellers. The tellers job is to run transactions, they do not investigate errors and handle service issues (normally), so they are likely to be the least willing to do those things for you, even if it was them that made the mistake.

If an error was made, make sure to stay calm and politely explain what you think happened and should be done to correct this to the manager. They should at that point fix things for you.

Try to be nice to the tellers, even if they are not nice to you at first, they'll notice that you're more friendly than you used to be and will respond in kind.

P.S. If an error was made by the credit union and you find it and report it within 60 days of it happening, they will have to at least investigate it. Just make sure that you approach the manager (or assistant manager) in a pleasant manner, i.e. "I wanted to ask you to look at this transaction here, it doesn't match with what I have on my records, could you help me figure out what happened, please?" This way they'll WANT to help you rather than just do the required minimum. Saying "You people made a mistake, give me back my money!" would be the wrong way to approach this.

Answer 3

Hey, that's why I left credit unions alone. You get good rates there and loans are easy to come by but they screw up too much and it ends up costing you in the end. She probably didn't want to initial it because she didn't want to be held liable. But your receipts should have a transaction number so save it. If something happens they should be able to look it up and see who the teller was. I had a problem at my back once when a $1500 check was deposited into another account. They looked it up and found out what account it went to and who the teller was. Always keep transaction receipts for at least a year. As far as that teller, i would've gotten her name and contacted the complaint office and complained on her attitude and also for her refusing to initial the receipt.

Answer 4

I too had a Credit union like yours, I was using the one at work, and there were only 3 people there. Very cliquey too. I found that Credit Unions are the best even if you have to put up with a little cliquishness. Instant loans, you can never be kicked out unless the Board votes you out, lower interest rates, better car loans, mortgages, etc. My advice would be to kiss up to the women in there, and just put up with a little rudeness, they can make your life a lot easier if you have a financial dilemma, or need a loan, ya know? If it is unbearable, then file a grievance with the Board of Directors and then probably leave, cuz you won't get any decent service then either.

Answer 5

Why would you continue to do business with them? Simply switch banks.

Answer 6

look up common sense in the dictionary, then try to apply some