SIR, — The answer to Miss Whitehorn's article on bank is: put
your money into an Irish bank (I mean a real Irish bank, the Republic, not the Six Counties). They couldn't be more helpful and courteous.
Some three or four years ago I was taking my solicitor round Cork and Kerry, and I ran out of money. He accompanied me to the small branch office of the bank which had, and still has, my overdraft. I asked for the manager, and the man behind the counter told me he was the manager. I said 'I want to cash a small cheque. He said 'Certainly.' 1 said my branch was in Galway. and told him which. You could telephone the manager there,' l said. `We aren't on the telephone,' he said. 'Nor is your branch in Galway. But it's quite alright. Jost give me ycur cheque. 'I'm sorry to say I haven't my cheque book with me,' I said. He instantly pro- duced one from under the counter, changed the name of the branch to the one I had told him was mine, and let me have £10. My solicitor nearly had an apoplectic fit. 'Why,' he said, 'they wouldn't do that at my own branch in Brighton without checking up on me.' The Irish arc gentlemen,' I said, 'and they only have gentlemen on their books.'
I must say that when my overdraft, which is guaranteed at £350, sometimes by the exigencies of living amounts to .£450, 1 get a plaintive note from the far-off wilds of Co. Galway. But I have never had a cheque bounce yet. They trust me and I trust them.
Four years ago, when I returned to England. 1 stupidly transferred my account to one of the Big Five, as I think they call themselves. A week later the manager called me into his office. 'Are you aware,' he said, 'that you have an overdraft of £58?' 'Good heavens,' I said, 'have I got it as low as that?' (It wasn't guaranteed in those days.) 'I cannot cash any more cheques until you put the account in funds.' he said. 'Transfer it instantly back to Galway,' I said. And he did. They received it without a qualm.
Willoughby Rectory. Alford, Lincs
AUSTIN LEE
PS. I only got a friend to guarantee the account last year because 1 needed to spend £300 on the beautiful but almost derelict rectory 1 was moving into.
Previous page
