Just wanna know...

[Tink]

The bank I work for has a policy that we are to ask each and every person who comes in if they know anyone who would be interested in opening a checking account or taking out a loan, etc... ALL the banks in this company are instructed to do this daily. I have never been asked this by any of the banks I've done business at. I'm just wondering what your experience with this is?

I feel like we're hounding our clients and am not real comfy doing it every time they come in. Am I just being overly sensitive or is it a bit extreme?

[Janet]

To be honest Tink....I wouldn't like it at all if my Bank asked me that. I wouldn't tell them if I did!! What would they want then....their name and phone number? I think it's terribly rude and invasive!!

[Tink]

Thanks Janet, that's exactly how I feel!

[hunbun]

i think it depends on how the question is posed. i've had loan officers and real estate agents who i've dealt with ask me if i knew anyone who be interested in their services, and to pass along their (the loan officer or agent's) information to my friend/family who may be interested in a loan or home. i don't find that out of the ordinary. i've had direct cable/broadband salesreps, wireless service sales reps, insurance sales reps, headhunters, and housecleaners do the same thing. that's just how they network through word of mouth. if i am happy with the services provided i will pass along the contact information. if not, then their info goes into the trash. no one's ever asked for contact information of people i know who may be interested in a particular product or service.

personally, i've never had my bank ask me if i know of a third party who would be interested in a checking account or loan. unless the third party is my husband, i would not be in a position to respond to an unsolicited inquiry about someone else's interest in a loan or checking account nor would i share contact information to said third party. however, every time i finish a transaction with a teller, they'll ask if I am interested in a savings account or a loan, to which i always respond, "no thanks".

[Janet]

After reading hunbun's post, I guess I could tolerate it a little better. I still would never, ever give them someone's name or number. They would have to give me a business card or something to give to my friends or family. That way it would be up to them to contact the Bank or whoever...not the other way around.:)

[vt73]

The bank I work for has a policy that we are to ask each and every person who comes in if they know anyone who would be interested in opening a checking account or taking out a loan, etc... ALL the banks in this company are instructed to do this daily. I have never been asked this by any of the banks I've done business at. I'm just wondering what your experience with this is?

I feel like we're hounding our clients and am not real comfy doing it every time they come in. Am I just being overly sensitive or is it a bit extreme?
I know how you feel in a way. I also work for a bank and being in the front line I have to be aggressive about offering our products, but I approach to each customer in a diferent way, and sometimes I don' feel like doing it to be honest with you, but at the same time I feel like, well, is part of my job and it is in the job description, so I have to do my job. Yes, some customers get annoyed, but other ones appreciatte you telling them what the bank offers. As far as asking them if they know someone how wants to open an acct with us I don't ask them that but offer them to think about their kids and open savs accts for them:p

[rivermom]

I have not run into this when I visit the bank weekly. All i ever hear is "have a nice day" and I'm outta there.