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Banking ain't what it used to be.
Williams Deacon's had the feel of a private bank about it. My branch was in Cheapside, in The City of London. It had a commissionaire at the door, the interior was oak panelled, and there were very comfortable leather seats for clients to relax in. The tellers all wore classic City-Style dark jackets and striped trousers, and I'd actually been interviewed (interrogated) by the manager before being granted an account; they didn't want any riff-raff. It was also a 'non clearing' bank, which meant that one had an extra day or two before a cheque cleared.
When I received my first cheque book, I was very pleased, and rather amused, to see that I had become an 'Esq'. This has remained ever since, which I shall explain later. Flattery works wonders!
Sadly Williams Deacon's didn't last, and in 1970 it became Williams and Glyns. Williams and Glyn's in turn then became Royal Bank of Scotland in 1985, and since 2020 it's simply a part of the giant NatWest Group. It hasn't improved. The only thing that has outlived all the changes is that I'm still referred to as 'Esq' on my cards and cheques. Regardless of all this upheaval, I have somehow remained faithful.
My current branch has now closed. The last time I visited there was simply a reception desk, and a few small office cubicles, if one actually needed to speak to someone (and if they were available). I'm not sure where my new branch is.... they haven't told me!
In France banking is even worse than here. Add serious French arrogance to the lack of personal service, and you'll understand what I mean. You are made to feel as if YOUR money belongs to THEM, and how dare you ask for any. Even putting cash IN is a nightmare. They look down on their clients as being no more than an unnecessary inconvenience; or worse.
When I think back to Williams Deacon's it seems like a totally different age. The Commissionaire would raise his topper as he held open the door for me, the tellers all referred to me as 'Sir', and nothing was too much for them. I know such things will never return, but it would be lovely if they could.
Banks don't need depositors now. As the government print money for them they make do with borrowers.
ReplyDeleteWe all need to put our money somewhere to feed our direct debit payments; unless, of course, we revert to under the mattress.
DeleteNot the point I was making but never mind.
DeleteI know that, but it was my point.
DeleteCheque books always reminds me of my daughter about 5, we went shopping and she wanted an expensive toy, sorry I said, her reply 'use your cheque book' I said sorry can't afford it and then she explained, I put some money in the bank and I get a cheque book, when all the cheques are used, I put in more money and get another book, Oh the world of a child.
ReplyDeleteI need to bank at her bank... it sounds ideal!
DeleteFrom Wikipedia for overseas visitors: "In the United Kingdom, Esquire historically was a title of respect accorded to men of higher social rank, particularly members of the landed gentry above the rank of gentleman and below the rank of knight. Some sources cite that the title was bestowed on "candidates for knighthood in England," and even used with respect to other dignitaries, such as justices of the peace, sheriffs, and sergeants."
ReplyDeleteIt's reassuring to know that they got it right.
DeleteSir Cro Magnon has a nice ring to it.
DeleteBut in fact simply all business letters and envelopes to men were addressed Esq. I don't know when this stopped but it went on all through my working life.
DeleteMaybe, but not on their plastic cards and cheques.
DeleteI am not aware that it has stopped on letters and envelopes from professional offices but as it is now five years since I finished work I wouldn't know for sure. Of course many business "letters" are now sent by email without formality so I guess the use of Esq. will die out eventually.
DeleteIt's all a bit old fashioned, not unlike retirees calling themselves Colonel or Brigadier (of which I've known both).
DeleteI started work at Midland Bank in 1963 and I remember Williams Deacon's. I think they did their clearing through what was then Westminster Bank.
ReplyDeleteI think they soon became a part of the clearing system. I was working on the Stock Exchange at the time.
DeleteCheque book! Lol.
ReplyDeleteBefore the age of ten I had added esquire to my name. Probably gone by eleven.
Not only has my bank gone, but my chequebook too. I think I'm simply 'online' from now on.
DeleteWhen I first worked in Leeds there must have been around a dozen different banks each with perhaps six branches around the city centre. If you add building societies the total number at least doubles. Some had magnificent building (the Leeds Permanent Building Society comes to mind), other basically shops, but there may have been as many as 150 retail banking/money premises within a couple of square miles. It was no doubt inefficient and needed reform, but I guess you'd be hard pressed to find more than about a dozen now.
ReplyDeleteI did look online this morning to see if my bank had set-up elsewhere, but no mention of anything. They have disappeared without a word. My card etc still works OK.
DeleteThinking again, the building societies didn't tend to have so many branches and perhaps only the major banks banks had as many as six. Even so, there must have been at least 50 branches of the different institutions in the city centre.
DeleteI have an account with RBS and they have recently closed the branch I used and they wrote to me and said to use the nearest Nat West and gave the address. The branch at which you are an account holder will inform you of closure. I also have an account with another bank and they have also closed the branch, I went in for the last time last week to withdraw coinage, and they also informed me of the closure by letter and the nearest bank to go to in future. I think perhaps you missed the notification of your bank's branch closure.
ReplyDeleteI've certainly never had anything from them, maybe I should log in to my account and see if it says something there. Otherwise I thought I'd visit my nearby NatWest and see what they say.
DeleteI am sure as an RBS customer they will welcome you and have access to your account.
DeleteI have fond memories of British banks. They were one of the great bastions in London. My British husband came from a family of bankers. The current generation is no longer involved. What is happening to the beautiful London buildings and interiors that once were banks?
ReplyDeleteSandwich bars? Coffee shops? Pubs? A lot of the old banks here have become chain/franchise Pubs. The interior architecture suits them well.
DeleteWhen I lived there, a Coutts cheque book, being so enormous, could be spotted a mile off in a supermarket queue when a Lady would pull it out to pay for her pint of milk. Always a sign of A Better Sort, hahah!
ReplyDeleteAfraid I hadn't heard of your lovely bank until now and sad to hear of its devolution. The first merchant bank I worked at in the City had a little office for its posher clients. Can't remember if it was Princess Anne or Margaret who used to come in from time to time, picking up a new chequebook, no doubt!
There are a couple of banks that I would like to frequent, that are part of the Royal Bank of Scotland group; Child & Co, and Drummonds, but I think I would need to be either blue-blooded or extremely rich to be offered an account. I'll have to stick with my cyber online account.
DeleteBeing a lowly working class person, I've never had a cheque book in my life, those were mostly for businesses and the rich upper class folks. It never bothered me, I'd rather pay with cash than stand around writing out cheques and then having to balance the cheque book all the time.
ReplyDelete