Bank worker has just lectured me on my spending

I guess that's to stop paying cash in hand to tradesmen.

There another thing banks have started to do that annoys me is threatening or actually freezing savings accounts after for me 6 month and for my parents 12 months.

These were ready access funds that were supposed to sit there till needed which apparently is an alien consept these days. I do understand people forget about accounts and no access for years then yes get in touch but in so short a time seems mad.

Made my parents panicked and move money to bemusement of bank - DH told me to just set up a direct debt for a tenner and move it back if needed - it's what he does.

That's so annoying april like maybe you just want savings to sit for a bit?

Apparently it's because if you aren't using the bank account you wouldn't know if fraud happened. So they do it to protect it. That's what I was told

My very savvy well heeled 85 year old uncle told a bank clerk enquiring about why he was withdrawing sizeable cash amounts (which he does frequently as gifts for young family members) that he intended to spend it all on drink and loose women. They’re aware that’s what he always says 😀

Make a complaint but don’t be surprised if the handler was doing what’s advised to her internally. Regulators are increasingly holding banks accountable for customers falling victim to fraud. It was a constant frustration of mine when I worked in retail banking that it seemed they placed more accountability on banks to stop this. Banks are best able to protect themselves from this by demonstrating robust procedures to prevent this. Often having to go over the top to “demonstrate” they protected customers from themselves.

They told me the same but the account for me with same bank same as rest of my accounts so come up with with internet banking log in - I get notifications when transations happen as well - and I and my parents got regular bank statments on saving account.

A few years after graduating the bank called me to a meeting - I had loans with them - well one paid back and one graduate one I was saving to pay back earlier. I assume it was about that. No it was investment advice as they thought it was a lot of money in my cash isa.

I pointed out I rented had twice had two month notice to move and then needed 1 and half month rent for deposit and first months rent and as family were getting older moving firm costs - and that was in ball park of amount in ISA - while the young man nodded along older woman suggested I could just take out a loan with them if that happened- which TBF I had done to take up first graduate job - and I was like I'd rather just have access to my own money thank you. So I do think this is a bit of an ongoing trend.

I do get banks are increasingly under pressure to stop fraud and money laundering but it does get annoying.

What is the new over 60s rule, I’ve not heard of this?

I'm not aware of this either, I'd be interested to hear more.

Over 60s are statistically more likely to fall for scams and be victimised. Banks and finance providers are more cautious when flagging fraud on their accounts

Misinformation, social media strikes again. It had been debunked.

I would Complain based on the fact she said that to you about the spending is not her place to do that

I think other bank workers judge Monzo unfairly as “not a proper bank” because all of their customer service support is online.

I am in the process of switching my main banking to Monzo as ironically I think their customer service and support is much better than Santander who said that about them.

I left my last bank (Natwest) because of this sort of rubbish. They had access to my accounts so surely can see I have money. It's a ridiculous attitude. Can say I've never had any issues with Revolut.

@MrsCartwrigth ah, I see, that makes sense then, thanks!

I'm not sure that pointing out that the woman erred in two quite different ways is a dilution; I think it might be an addition.

I suppose it depends on how much OP wants the offender's head to be on a platter.

And if it really is a case of "it ain't what she said, it's the way how she said it" (which I think it seems to be; tone as much as content), having backup in the form of "and what she said was also dodgy" is not so much a case of subjective judgement and thus is not so easily brushed under the carpet or ignored.

I'm assuming OP wants staff told not to patronize and lecture customers, so it doesn't happen to her again, more than she wants an individual worker disciplined for using one particular way to talk down to her.

Having worked in complaints (though not financial) my experience is - If you make your complaint about something regulatory or legal, that's what they will focus on to the exclusion of pretty much anything else. They are unlikely to address the not being a patronising git aspect of the complaint. Especially if, as you suggested, the main thrust of your complaint is the regulatory aspect. Yes she'll get dragged over the coals, possibly more severe. But it will be for suggesting OP's habits mirrored money laundering, not for lecturing OP. Better to focus on what OP is actually bothered about, and if they brush it off come back with - so it's okay to tip off customers who staff think might be money laundering?

That’s a bit bonkers IMO. I transfer internally on the app (NatWest) all the time without issues .. not tiny amounts, why yours flagged is very odd.

There's a thread on X atm from a woman who was trying to pay a builder via her bank. He was a proper business that she'd used before. They blocked her account and insisted she go to her branch, 40 minutes away by car but a lot longer by public transport which she needed and she also has a health condition that restricts travel. She was speaking to to anyone she could repeatedly. She had replies questioning her mental capacity, his worth as a builder, why it cost so much. Poor woman was becoming frantic. She finally got through to a senior fraud officer who unblocked it immediately. No apologies.

I got told off by my bank for donating about £5 a month to a reputable East European dog charity. I have the money.

It happened to me in my sixties. A payment withheld to protect me because I was considered elderly and vulnerable. Was very embarrassed.

Yes, I would complain. I complained about Barclays years ago when they made me speak to them on the phone in a shop to buy a £20 slow cooker in a January sale. I had the money in my account. The reason for them stopping my card payment going through was that "I'd spent a lot of money in December." I wonder why that would be.

The worst time was when we sold our house but hadn't found one to buy so put the money in the Bank. When we found a new house went through the purchase with the solicitor. The problem came when getting the money out of the bank to the solicitor to complete. The Bank said that we could only transfer £10k a day which would have taken forever. We then got nowhere on the phone, went into the branch. No joy. It was only when we threatened to remove all the accounts, business and personal that they relented.

This!!! What she’s done has actually breached law/regulations!

I agree, add in gp and hospital receptionists who likewise often go beyond their remit to lecture patients when they’ve not a clue themselves!