Drive Through Banking

The innovation of Drive-Through Banking made its debut on this date in 1962.

Not surprisingly, it was Switzerland that pioneered the notion, specifically Credit Suisse which instituted banking transactions that could be completed without ever leaving your car.

This “fact” is somewhat disputed, as Americans have pioneered most of the automobile culture advances we are used to seeing, from drive-through restaurants to drive-in movies and even drive-through pharmacies, churches and convenience stores. Some sources state that drive-through banking made its debut almost a quarter-century earlier with the opening of the Hillcrest State Bank in Dallas, Texas back in 1938. The Exchange Bank of Chicago says it was first in 1946.

Whatever.

For some reason, I have not taken advantage of drive-through banking, unless it is a drive-up ATM. This is somewhat curious, as I am enchanted by the use of the pneumatic tube. Sticking my deposit into that glass tube and then watching it SHOOT through the system and wind up in front of the teller entertains me no end.

What I don’t like is trying to decipher what the teller is saying though that cheap little speaker.

Maybe that’s it. He or she doesn’t understand me either—and having to SHOUT that I don’t have any money in my checking account seems to undermine that whole “privacy thing” that banking seems to be centered around.

I realize that my loud declaration has been heard by everyone else in line and throughout the parking lot, but I also envision it being heard by everyone INSIDE the bank as well. In fact, I suspect that several bank employees out of view are snickering—or rolling on the floor wetting themselves while hearing my embarrassing admission—or checking the balance themselves to confirm its truth.

Paranoid, I know.

I also don’t like the “user interface” for most drive-through banks. Either I cannot reach the controls from my seat—and have to pull up—and get OUT of my car to walk back to the panel (thus defeating the entire purpose)—or I scrape my car by getting a tad TOO close. If I’m driving a sedan, it seems the controls are built for someone driving a semi tractor trailer rig.

And forget it if you happen to drop anything between your car and the machine. You can’t open the door to retrieve that cash, check or deposit slip. No, you have to drive up a bit, all the time waving your arms frantically—as if that will communicate to the driver behind you that, “No! Don’t pull up yet! I’m not done!”

Of course, there are other hazards of the drive-through bank—as demonstrated by this hilarious video clip of a security camera capturing a bank customer who forgot to consider the size of his drive-through vehicle:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEmh_0IjjmA

Ouch!

Like me, that guy will probably just look for a parking space next time and use the “walk-through” option!


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