It's funny how the world works. I've been exploring the different banks on AC with regards getting my business and personal accounts up and running. And what better way than to actually deal with customer service.

I had my ATM card potentially swallowed by one of Belize Bank's ATMs over the weekend - I only realized that my card was not present when I got home and the store had already closed. So this morning when the store opened and I checked with them, they pointed me to Belize Bank.

At the bank I was told that they will post the card to the issuing bank, once it's collected from the ATM. I told the agent that this doesn't work because I live here in San Pedro, and it's of no help that my card gets sent to a bank in the Isle of Man.

Then she asked why I have a UK based card when I live on AC? REALLY? Of what relevance is that to her?

The agent then conferred with her manager and told me to come back in a week or two, to see if my card is "there". Then she put up her closed sign on the desk and continued doing what she was doing before.

All good and well, but you didn't even take my name. So how would you know which card to keep, and which to send away?

Classic F-you mentality there Belize Bank, how hard is it really to assist somebody in this tiny town to open an ATM machine and retrieve a card? What if I was a tourist and this was my only bank card?

At least I know who to definitely avoid when it's time to open my accounts.

I did the same thing at Belize Bank in PG but walked in the next day and they handed me my card back!!!

I have had some problems with Belize Bank in the past. They seem to come through eventually but they are a pain in the butt. So I opened an account at Atlantic Bank with the intention of closing out Belize Bank. Of course the problem is there are some advantages in San Pedro for me with Belize Bank. One being the amount of ATM machines. Another being that some of the businesses I do business with in San Pedro also have accounts at Belize Bank and I set them up for transfers which I suppose I could find a way to pay these on line from Atlantic but I haven't got around to that yet.

Belize Bank is almost always crowded and many times I go in for a transaction and I'm there for 45 minutes to an hour. There can be 50 people in line but that doesn't seem to bother them. They might only have two tellers open and others walking around doing ???? I couldn't imagine a USA bank operating like they do. It takes so.....long to complete a simple transaction. Another thing is that they put a lengthy hold on foreign check deposits. If I remember right it is 25 days or so even if you bring them proof that the check has cleared at your account in the States. Atlantic is not so bad. I just plan ahead so that hasn't been a big problem.

But the worse for me is about every 2 or 3 years they make me go in and "verify" my account. This means bringing in my passport and waiting in line at customer service for ???? Last time I asked them why I had to do this and I was told "to verify my account" nothing has changed for crying out loud, I'm still me.

Just smile it is the downside of living in paradise I guess.

Not much different at any of the other banks...

I had the "verify" thing happened to me on our last visit. I had just opened up the account in November! After a 45 minute wait, while a bank rep from Atlantic cut in front of us, I got my turn, after 10 minutes of her looking for my file, which is a folder in a drawer, she again took copies of my information. She then went to her supervisor, who was sitting behind her, to ask a question. I can read lips a little and I could tell that the supervisor asked her why she was verifying an account that was just recently opened. The supervisor then got angry with the girl and read here the riot act. She then came back and said "it it all ok now, I have updated your account". I was going to ask for my copies back since she obviously didn't need them but decided to just walk out.

It's not very hard to just have somebody open up the ATM as a courtesy. Now I've had to cancel the card, and will have to have the bank courier a replacement over.

Asshats.

Perhaps a letter campaign to bank presidents and management would be helpful? Providing mission statements from other banks or even the banks in question here, can be a useful reminder to many/any business, especially customer service related businesses.

Too funny! Belize Bank has their Mission Statement on the wall by the line to the tellers. No one in upper management has read it...

Send it in a letter!!! LOL. Ask if they recognize it, then fall back question: Mr.preident and local bank manager, do you understand your mission statement? .