"I
don't have money to invest and I don't need to borrow money,
so what do I want with a banker?"
A
friendly discussion with your branch banker can lead to a
better understanding of a system and a culture that will have
an important influence on your life. It may sound as exciting
as a visit to the dentist but it is just as worthwhile. No
one expects you to walk in and say hello for fun, but a small
investment in your financial health now can have a lasting
effect later.
It
is important that you get to know someone in your bank. You
probably feel that you have nothing to discuss and no real
reason for coming in, nevertheless, visit your branch from
time to time and say hello to the tellers, a personal banker
or the manager. By developing a relationship and investing
some of your time you are really banking on your future.
Get the machine running
It's not about the money. At least not yet. Think for a moment
about that little section at the bottom of your resume that
states your 'references' - Bank Manager would look great.
Or what about when you realize your passport has expired just
before you head off on a holiday - a banker that knows you
comes in handy to sign the passport application. Not to mention
when you're looking for a job - your local branch is not a
bad place to start. See what I mean?
But
that's not all. If your bank knows you well they can guarantee
your signature or create a "certified true copy" of an important
document. Familiarity may help you to qualify more readily
for credit products or banking privileges. What if you need
a student line of credit down the road, or a credit card and
don't forget the possibility of buying some freedom with the
help of a car loan? Is spending a few minutes at your branch
a little more appealing now?
It's
possible these days to bank with an institution for years
and only enter a branch once. If you have a bankcard, a telephone
or online banking access it hardly seems necessary to visit
your branch.
Until
now.
