My favorite topic- The Bank

So I’m sure you have all figured out that if there is one thing I like to rant about.. it is the Israeli banking “system”. Having said that, I thought it appropriate to share my experience with the Call Center for my bank.

Once again, my father had transferred money into my bank account and I needed to change it from my dollar account to my shekel account. So I decided to try calling the Call Center as opposed to spending about 3 hours of my day physically at the bank (you know, travel time, wait time, etc). So one morning I pick up the phone and speak with a banker.

Me: “Hi I’d like to transfer my money to shekel”

Banker: “Ok, but first you need to change your password and then call back”.

Important note as with any security system for banking over the phone you must have a password. I was ok with that. HOWEVER, at this point I had changed my password about EIGHT times and the system was just picking on me. I decided this was the day, I would say NO, I will NOT change my password AGAIN!!

Me: “No, I am not changing it again, this will be the eighth time I have changed my password. It is not my fault that your system cannot record it. I want to speak to your manager!!”

Banker (who was more than happy to get rid of me): “Ok hold on”

I was then transferred to another banker, who was by no means a manager, he just spoke better English, informed me that I had to change my password. After about 5 minutes of arguing I got this response from him: “OK, I will give you a number to call where you don’t have to change your password, but call today!”

At this point I’m thinking, of course I will call today! I am trying to get this resolved, does he think I enjoy this?

So I call back, and request to speak to someone in English… guess who I get back to?! The very same banker who had just told me to call a different number because he could NOT help me.

At this point I struggle from exploding at this banker (until after he transfers my money of course). At which I point I say this: “Can you please explain to me why I had to call a different number only to get referred back to you?! Why could you not have helped me the FIRST time? Do you enjoy torturing ALL immigrants?!”

Banker: “Wellllll… emmmmmm ….. It’s a technical issue”

Me: ” Bullshit. I understand IT systems. You were just hoping I would get someone else. Have a nice day”

Just another lovely day in the crazy bureaucratic system that is Israel. As my friend would say, “Aliyah, you get used to it.”