Customer service at banks needs improvement
Deputy Premier Lorna Smith is displeased with the level of customer service dispensed at banks in the territory.
While debating the 2024 budget in the House of Assembly recently, Smith said she witnessed customers at local banks left to wait in long lines and exposed to bad weather.
“In terms of the banks’ customer service, it still leaves a lot to be desired, notwithstanding that, I do speak to them and we have these discussions and they assure me of improvements,” the Deputy Premier said.
She added: “Up to last Friday as I drove by — yes it was the middle of the month — but the lines were long and to make it worse… the rain was pouring down and everybody was standing outside.”
Smith, who is also the Minister for Financial Services, Labour and Trade, said the situation was not good enough for the territory, particularly given its high per capita income.
She pointed to the roughly $2.3 billion in deposits at banks and contrasted this with a $1.6 billion estimate that was issued in loans. Smith said while some banks are doing a “decent lending business”, others can do much better than the current lending ratio.
“I am certainly hoping, as I’m sure that this whole House is hoping, to see some improvements in 2024.”
Smith previously shared that banks need to be more generous as they consider loans from applicants in the territory.
The Deputy Premier was at the time echoing concerns highlighted by Opposition Leader Ronnie Skelton that banks were simply not doing enough to facilitate loans for persons who were most in need.
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Customer service? Here? You’ll find a leprechaun before that. Or maybe a hen with teeth.
I believe customer Service in BVI not only the Banks is very sloppy and Poor. As if the customers are being a bother to them. So it’s not the Banks alone, trying seeking services in those Gov’t Offices.
Why is it that everybody here is so good at saying good morning, good afternoon, good day but then the nasty come out. Lets be nice all the time
Customer service at bankshave been rotten for years.
It will remain rorren dueto conflict of interest between the two entities, government and banking officials.
Further, why have not the people not yet taken action against twelwth delay in paying the monies dueto civil servants and retirees alike, somwe who have been waiting close to twenty years to perform medicl procedures?
Why, as in the past, government is taing the people for granted and making a mockery oftheir live and votes?
Why is it that the local virgin Island bank is asking for a 20% deposit to buy a house but will lend 100% to build one. I thought that they were looking out for locals. Why not 10% deposit which is close to $100,000 in these days if you are lucky. This is what Lady Lorna needs to address. Another lending policy that needs to be addressed is the policy of Salary being three times the monthly mortgage. This was applicable when payment was 3 to four thousand monthly. Now payment is getting into the 6,000 to 8,000 range. A base level house in the BVI now cost $800,000 and up so your payment for a 20 year mortgage will be about $6,000 monthly. Therefore, your salary must be about $20,000 monthly. How many locals are earning the sort of salary.
I need a half mill to build my house, n payrate is not goin up!!!!
Every-All in the B.V.I need better Customer Service presence – the salt heavy here dread.
Customer service is Bad every where in the BVI and as for Lorna , when did she start being pleasant to people she’s not familiar with.
The customer services or lack there of doesn’t bother me. What bothers me is that banks are not insured and given the over trillion dollars of unrealized losses carried on the books of American and Canadian banks, what security do we have against any fallout of these losses? Also if the banks do insure deposits what does that look like for minimum balances for accounts, wire transfer fees, administration fees, etc. Luarna in the Corna is a krock and needs to stay home
Let’s not forget the service portrayed at the Government offices as for Labour and Immigration just to name two important ones these Civil Servants needs to up, they standard before they start talking about Increments Owed few worked for it can someone in the audience’s name at least five Government Offices or Officers who deserved theirs?
I was told they keep you waiting to show you who is in charge . I saw a prominent member of society standing for almost an hour without paying attention to the customer . Such sloppy and disgusting, disrespectful, discourteous customer service . It is shameful. No sense od urgency . One is left to wonder , when some of these bank personnel travel, if they do not observe and learn
Blame the lady for everything / it’s called scapegoating / and that ain’t working but that’s the only excuse they got and it’s straight
from the script
Lending creates debt! Why is the Minister only focused on banks lending? Focus should be on getting us better investment rates such as savings accounts, Certificates of Deposit, etc. Should be on getting us better rates when we do borrow. Should be on eliminating all odds these ridiculous nickel and dime fees.
Banks here charge to get online access to your accounts and also charge you to get printed statements of your account. We are being raped left and right! These are what the Minister sold be addressing.
The hospital is the worry of all, the clinic close on no one could tell u when it will be open back
ALL GOVERNMENT OFFICES ALSO
Not just the Banks, Customer service in General in the BVI needs Improvement
It’s bad in all the ex British islands..stink attitude from all but a few.If your a tourist your good cause you only passing through and spending.
Bad Customer service in the whole of BVI is the people personal attitudes. That is what they brought from their homes to the workplace. I caught two tellers discussing my business in the banking , when ask why they were doing it. Both of them lie. It’s a terrible things hw they quickly help one group of people and another group won’t get the service needed.