There are a huge number of advantages to getting to know your bank tellers (and other bank staff) and it’s something I would recommend to you, especially if you’re living a frugal lifestyle due to being in debt or not having a hugely positive net worth.

One fact that most people seem to not realise is that tellers are the equivalent of customer service representatives at call centers. They can actually refund small amounts of cash for you. If you know the tellers at your bank (ie. Visit once a week or so) and you accidentally get an NSF charge, for example, you can have that refunded by sweet talking them much more easily if they have seen you around.

If bank staff know you, they will also be much more likely to not hold your cheques. This is when it’s good to be friendly with one of the financial service representatives. They can authorize the tellers to not put a hold on a cheque. The main reason banks hold cheques is because they don’t know you and they don’t know how trustworthy you are. Coming into the bank regularly and showing that you’re a devoted customer of your bank will lean the employees in your favour. Every day I see customers who come in regularly and should have everything held being able to cash cheques for over $1000. These are the customers who get their fees refunded if they want to order cheques, make a bank draft or change foreign currency. They just need to ask nicely and there’s usually a good chance they get what they want.

Going into the bank once per week to pay bills or make a withdrawal is a good idea. If you bank someplace with longer hours, try going early in the morning or between 4 and 5pm. Those tend to be the quietest hours and you won’t waste much time standing in line. Depending on how often you need your banks services, you can save hundreds of dollars per year by doing this.

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