I went to extract some funds today from my account (getting a jump on the eventual rush) and ran into small situation which bears some attention. I requested a few thousand back in cash and she asked if this was a regular practice of mine. Nope, I'm buying a car" I said. "Well, OK" she said and went in the back to get the cash. I asked if there was a problem and she said that they usually only allow a max of $1,000 per day unless I call in advance the day before. My bank has now downsized to the point where there are very few "main branches" and most of them are now in grovery stores. She said "we just don't have the facilities we used to have and can not keep nearly as much cash on hand as we used to in the old branches." Nope, I don't think this is Y2K related, but it is something which could exacerbate the situation if people do start extracting cash at the end of the year. It seems to me that these smaller "branches" could easily be tapped out and worsen the panic when people are handed cashiers checks.

-- regular (regular@thisforum.com), June 24, 1999

Answers

Interesting that you should post this here right above the other thread about our failing economy not being able to back up it's fiat money. Hmmm, the proof is in the pudding evidently.

-- (tedjennings@business.net), June 24, 1999.

"I requested a few thousand back in cash and she asked if this was a regular practice of mine."

NOPE. IS IT A USUAL PRACTICE OF YOURS TO BE A NOSEY DAMN BITCH?

"Well, OK" she said and went in the back to get the cash. I asked if there was a problem and she said that they usually only allow a max of $1,000 per day unless I call in advance the day before.

I DON'T GIVE A RAT'S ASS WHAT YOUR USUAL PRACTICE IS. YOUR FREAKIN' 'PRACTICE' IS NONE OF MY CONCERN. IF YOU HAVE IT IN WRITING, SOMETHING THAT I SIGNED ACKNOWLEDGING THIS 'PRACTICE' THAT IS ONE THING. BUT IF IT IS THE CASE, IT IS AGAINST MY 'PRACTICE' AND I WANT MY ACCOUNT CLOSED NOW. IT IS MY PROPERTY AND I WANT IT ALL RIGHT NOW OR I WILL HAVE YOUR DAMN HEAD ON A PLATTER. YOU HAVE FIVE MINUTES. THEN I GO TO MY LAWYER'S OFFICE TO SUE YOUR ASS PERSONALLY.

-- Paul Milne (fedinfo@halifax.com), June 24, 1999.

Paul,

You're SUCH a cutie...

-- igw (igw@one.net.au), June 25, 1999.

Right on.

b

-- b (b@b.b), June 25, 1999.

Don't sugar coat it Paul, say what you really think.

-- regular (regular@thisforum.com), June 25, 1999.

Now Paul,

You know that the money in our bank accounts belongs to the bank not us. They are just letting us use it, the same way that parents let their children use their allowances. When Y2K hits, they are going to just have to regrettably deny it to us for our own good.

-- Mr. Adequate (mr@adequate.com), June 25, 1999.

Regular: You realize of course, that now you most likely have been reported as doing a "suspicious transaction." (I'm NOT kidding.)

Do a web search on "+(Know Your Customer) +banking". (Fink on Your Customer). A recent "enhancement" to the money laundering laws was rolled back, temporarily, but there are still more than enough on the books.

Hide your cash and your stash well. Asset seizure and forfeiture is an increasingly important revenue tool for Big Brother. Sieg Heil!!

-- A (A@AisA.com), June 25, 1999.

If I was in charge of things and the people didn't want slavery anymore then I would set all the slaves "free".

What would be easier, maintaining slaves or setting them "free" and then pay them less than it cost you to maintain slaves, and then allow them to keep their money in your bank and then charge them interest on the (fiat) money it takes to buy the things that the "free" slaves make and then talk them into investing the little bit of money they "earn" in stocks and bonds and commodity casinoes and them give them easy credit at sixteen percent and then charget them twenty dollars a year for the privilege and then force them to buy Insurance to cover their asses, and then tax the hell out of them and then tell them they can't own an SKS with a removable magazine, and then....

This list could go on and on...

None of the banks damn business. Or is it? If we are slaves and they are our masters then they have every right to control us.

You only think you are free.

-- freeman (freeman@cali.com), June 25, 1999.

People rob banks. One reason not to have more cash than the bank will use. The banks don't need as much on hand any more because the practice of cashing your paycheck is now a rare thing. Most people just deposit it and write checks to pay bills. The call a head thing is common if you need large sums of cash. They will have it delivered to the bank, whenever you want it. (One main branch, upstate NY, will have at max, $55,000 on hand. That happens just before the first of the month.

If you are taking out cash follow the rules: 1. Mix with the croud. Take out money on paydays(thursday/fridays or after first of the month(SS days). Summer is vacation time, people take out cash for vacations. 2. Go to your bank's ATM(avoid fee), take out up to $400/day(Check your bank's rules[Key bank $400/day]). After 10 days you will have $4000 in 20's. 3. Trade $20's for $100's to condense pile. 4. Be nice to your teller. My mom does not need your "c*r*a*p"! Tellers just work there. Have them put your money in an envelope so you don't show the money to anyone else in line. 5. Know your bank tellers, that way they don't have to ask for your ID. 6. Have more than one account. Each one is only insured up to $100,000. Use Different banks and know the deposit/availability of funds rule(Really-know them). Deposits(from other bank checks) of over 10,000 may not be available for 10-20 days(important if you are planning on buying a house). 7.Never carry large amounts of cash. If you go to the bank then the supermarket, put the money for food in your clothes pocket so that you do not open up a full wallet with 10 people behind you. 8. Never open an account where you pay a fee. Fee's are bad for you(your money), and there are always ways to avoid them. 9. Subscribe to Money magazine. The best way to spend $13 which will help you save and grow your money. 10. Sometimes use ATM card at the supermarket, ask them to give you an extra $50-$100 when you make a purchase.

-- Ned P Zimmer (ned@nednet.com), June 25, 1999.

What pisses me off about this entire thread is the fact that we have to justify anything, and worse yet be sneaky about it.

I agree with Milne.

-- Avoid the Gestapo (gotStarted@early.com), June 25, 1999.

I can only agree. What the hell business is it of theirs?

Of course, they should know that many of their customers are concerned about the uncertainty associated with Y2K. I am withdrawing gradually, and even forcing others to make change for a 20 a LOT.

I know that some claim this to be illegal, but so was the S&L bailout where people with multiple $100,000 accounts received all of their money back after making risky investments.

I will not be caught short at rollover or even before then.

-- nothere nothere (notherethere@hotmail.com), June 25, 1999.

It ain't so early, regular. And in a couple of weeks, it might be very late.

-- dave (wootendave@hotmail.com), June 25, 1999.

Tried to book some air tickets the other day on the internet and they wouldn't accept my debit card. When I called the bank I told them I had made a cash deposit the day before to cover this amount and didn't understand. After being passed around to 4 different people, I was told ther was a $500 per day limit on my card. Now, I know it wasn't there before, but they are insisting it was. They said they could raise the limit but didn't know how long it would take to go through. Excuse me, don't know??? I ended up going to a travel agent and paying by check. Now, this is a small bank, not one of the big guys, and previously felt comfortable having my money there but am starting to wondor..... Anyone there asks me any nosey questions, and my money and I are GONE!

-- Gia (Laureltree7@hotmail.com), June 25, 1999.

"When being hassled, always be extra polite in return, even gracious, but never give an inch even for a moment." I was given that advice a few years ago and it has served my amazingly well. It works especially well with "quasi-authorities" like bankers/doctors/lawyers and other people who have no authority whatsoever but are used to be treated as if they do.

Also, taking notes while you are asking polite questions works wonders. For example, if a bank manager is explaining their policies to you, then you could mention that occasionally you write freelance for such-and-such small newspaper/magazine and that you think you could help other people avoid such misunderstandings in the future.

I know these sort of policies are BS and encountering one would make me angry, I just wouldn't show it. Last ditch effort if polite persistence fails, sit in front of bank with your most recent bank statement and a placard saying that they won't give you your money. That should get some action.

-- Gus (y2kk@usa.net), June 25, 1999.

Gus, you know how to play the game!!!! Good on ya.

-- OR (orwelliator@biosys.net), June 25, 1999.

Several years ago I deposited $1000 or so in cash in my bank on a Friday morning and then realized I had no cash for the weekend. I went back to the bank to cash a check and they refused to do this because the transaction hadn't cleared their computers yet. I had my receipt from a few hours earlier but the teller was adamant.

I started to talk very loudly, complaining that they had my money and were refusing to give it back to me. I made quite a scene and in no time at all a manager rushed over and told the teller to give me my money, just to shut me up and get me out of there. Worked for me.

-- cody varian (cody@y2ksurvive.com), June 25, 1999.