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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be a bit unnerved by this banker?

53 replies

JammyGem · 20/02/2019 10:02

Went to the bank last week to open up a savings account for DD. The banker who I dealt with was very friendly, and apparently remembered me from when I visited the bank last Spring. He seemed so friendly and forward that it was bordering on unprofessional (telling me he was hungover, making jokes about my age, comments about where I live etc) but I put it down to his young age and lack of experience. Besides, he opened the account and all was fine.

It did strike me as a bit odd that he remembered me from nearly a year ago, and seemed to have taken note of my age, but maybe this was part of what he had to fill out for opening an account?

Anyway, I had a call this morning but I was feeding DD so didn't answer the phone. I've just received an email from this banker saying he'd tried to call and could I give him my number and the best time to call. No indication of why he's calling. Is this normal for them to ring you after opening an account?

I know it sounds really stupid and OTT but something just felt off about him at the time, and now I just feel a bit uneasy. I have anxiety which can skew how I see things, but my instincts are telling me something's not right no matter how I rationalise it.

Just tell me I need to get a grip!

OP posts:
ThomasHardyPerennial · 20/02/2019 10:07

That sounds really unprofessional of him. How about replying to his email and asking why he needs to talk to you? Then you have a paper trail if it's something out of line, and can go to his manager.

blanketyblankest · 20/02/2019 10:10

He probably looked at your accounts too if you have them at the same bank and has noticed something that would either average you a bit of money, or might be of interest to you.
Account openers are a sales role.

The friendly part, I think he was just trying to strike up a rapport with you. No biggie.

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 20/02/2019 10:13

He’s got your number if he rang you or am I missing something here?

PBo83 · 20/02/2019 10:17

It sounds a little unprofessional in a traditional 'how bankers behave' sense but it does sound like he was just building a rapport (which I always think is preferable to 'stuffyness')

A lot of bank staff work on commission so there's a good chance he's calling to try and sell you something. Obviously this is easy enough to deal with.

On the off-chance he's taken a shine to you and ringing for 'personal reasons' then a polite 'thanks but no thanks' will set him straight.

Sure it's a formality or a sales call though. If in doubt you could always ask him to email anything rather than call.

Original poster
JammyGem · 20/02/2019 10:19

GreatDuckCookery I thought that too but assumed that he's asking because I didn't answer the number that he called?

I'm just overreacting aren't I? So stupid.

OP posts:
PlainSpeakingStraightTalking · 20/02/2019 10:21

A lot of bank staff work on commission

largely this was abolished in 2012

GerryblewuptheER · 20/02/2019 10:22

Sounds off to me tbh.

But then I had similar many many many years ago. There's friendly and then there's personal questions and crossing over into creepy.

Personally id pick another bank

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 20/02/2019 10:22

Hmm I’m not sure OP. I would do nothing, if it’s important he will ring back.

NineNine · 20/02/2019 10:28

I'm just overreacting aren't I? So stupid.

Don’t dismiss your instincts. None of us here witnessed the behaviour and so can’t tell you if you’re overreacting or not. If he has something important and legitimate to talk to you about, he’ll try again and give you more details. There’s nothing wrong with ignoring a vague email from a man who made you uncomfortable in a face to face situation. You don’t have to do anything at this point.

PBo83 · 20/02/2019 10:29

@PlainSpeakingStraightTalking

A lot of bank staff work on commission

largely this was abolished in 2012

I didn't know this, I got out of financial services around 2007 so I'm guessing this was the reaction to mis-selling.

You learn something new everyday :)

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 20/02/2019 10:30

Gut instincts are there for a reason OP.

Dilligaf81 · 20/02/2019 10:30

I think you maybe being a bit sensitive. Until a year ago I worked as a personal banker for 20 years and nowadays they feel the need to send all staff on rapport building courses which is just how to talk to customers in a 'non bank like way'.
Its normal to call you if there is an issue with the account he opened, he could have not taken a clear enough copy of baby's birth cert for example or he has looked at your linked accounts and sees the is a need (no longer called sales).
No high St bank pays commission on sales, its all based on satisfaction surveys despite popular belief.
Im curious if you would feel this way if the pb was female?

beenandgoneandbackagain · 20/02/2019 10:33

I would email back and ask him why he wants to talk to you.

If it is for personal reasons then he has breached the data protection regulations and this will need to be reported to the bank, so that they can do an investigation.

It is creepy, and he may be doing it to other women too.

Merchantgirl · 20/02/2019 10:34

I'd ignore the message-if it's a genuine question the bank will contact you again-I hate all the rapport some businesses try to build like this, I just want them to be polite and helpful not my mate!

GabsAlot · 20/02/2019 10:34

i thought maybe you were overreacting until you said about him asking for your number-unless he worded wrong meaning can yu confirm it incase hes got it wrong

DeepfriedPizza · 20/02/2019 10:35

I would either phone back or go into the branch and say that you had missed a call from the bank, was there a problem with the account? Don't call him back or email him directly, just direct your question to the bank generally.

MustBeAWeasly · 20/02/2019 10:35

I think usually instincts are right. I had this with a guy from eon once at the door trying to get me to sign up. We were actually looking at them to switch so I got him to run the numbers to see if he could give me a deal he was very chatty and friendly made jokes about my dog etc. Nothing said to make me think but it was all a bit off... Anyway gave him my details to send the quote but told him it was too much and sent him on his way. Got a text about an hour later telling me he was just finishing and knew I was interested so would I like him to come back and finish where we left off but in the bedroom rather than the front door. I left the house and called eon to complain.

Grace212 · 20/02/2019 10:36

if it's important, he will call back
don't do anything

your instincts are there for a reason

if he is trying to sell something else, tell him firmly no, and that you don't want to take any marketing calls - did they do the GDPR stuff with you when you opened the account?

liverbird10 · 20/02/2019 10:42

Just to point out a retail banking staff member is not really a "banker"; that's the investment lot and nothing to do with in-branch account openers.

spectacularly misses point of thread

missbattenburg · 20/02/2019 10:43

'The Gift of Fear' is a very interesting book that basically says "if you have a gut instinct something is off, listen to it".

Well worth a read.

Lalliella · 20/02/2019 10:46

liverbird10 I wonder if he is a weary banker?

Also misses the point of the thread!

WinterfellWench · 20/02/2019 10:47

Don't respond to the message. Go into your local branch (where you opened the account) and ask another member of staff what the bank was trying to contact you for.

Jebuschristchocolatebar · 20/02/2019 10:49

He is making a follow up call to see if you are happy with the account: service. Fairly standard procedures and probably not sinister or unprofessional

userschmoozer · 20/02/2019 10:52

Your not overreacting and there's been some bad advice given on this thread.
Bankers no longer work on commission and they should not contact you for personal reasons; thats a serious breach of GDPR.

Complain to the bank and tell them he was overly familiar and you don't want to deal with him over the phone or by email. Let them look into why he contacted you.

LongWalkShortPlank · 20/02/2019 10:53

He won't have remembered you, all the information about your last visit etc will have been on the screen in front of him. He was probably just building a rapport and is following up to see if he can do anything more for you, they are required to make so many hours of calls to customers I think.

But on the off chance he's a weirdo I'd just call the branch back and see what they needed, rather than him specifically.