BDF: The Final Episode

Executive Summary: If you have money, buy a good mattress and put your money under it.

While there have been many adventures, my most recent was described in my blog. The "main problem" was that BDF wanted new references even though I had had the account there (with references) for over four years. One of the "excuses" was that the references were not from natural persons. A bit strange as they were on company letterhead but signed by real people.

I dutifully came back with the new references but I was told they had changed the form so I had to do it again. I left.

Well, today I went to get a check from the account. First, a guy attended to me but when he found out what I wanted, he told me I would have to talk to one of the muchachas and suggested a specific one. As another muchacha kept routing other people to my future muchacha I was about to leave. Then, the same guy decided it could help me.

But, what that meant was that he wanted to harass me about my account again. With the help of a different muchacha they start cross-examining me explaining that they need a complete profile on me. She asks if I work for a salary. I explain that I don't—I am investing in a business. Oops, wrong answer (today).

Immediately, there are two problems:

1. Where does the money come from (that is already in the account)?
2. As "this" is a business, I need business references. (Um, yeah, like I already have.)

Now, I explain that I am rather grumpy about this whole thing. I point out how much time it took to do the last deposit with the manager having to FAX checks to Managua in order to get an ok to deposit them. I also explain that he knows what I am doing pointing to a withdrawal that he had to get processed in Managua for the check to buy the land.

They go talk to him and come back to explain that what I said was all true but "there are procedures in place". I grunt and say that I don't want to play anymore.

To add insult to the situation, they explain that I cannot get the check until I come back with the new letters, ... The guy says describes it as a little problem.

I explain I want to close the account as I am sick of playing. He says "ahorita"? I say yes. He heads back to talk to the manager. He returns and tells me the manager wants to talk to me.

He first asks how I am. I tell him "mad at BDF". He then starts to explain "procedure" and such. I stop him saying I don't want to play anymore. I just want to close the account. Now, the manager seems like a decent enough guy but he is young, powerless and very much the kind of guy who doesn't bend rules.

He then tells me that I won't be able to open an account in another bank without the same amount of hoop-jumping. I explain that I have opened accounts in other banks and my problem with BDF is not opening accounts, it is that virtually every time I go there I end up in a meeting with the manager to do what should be normal bank business. Fine, we will close the account.

Well, that requires five people, lots of paperwork (but, surprisingly enough, very little more than a bank check) and an hour. But, eventually I get a check and leave.

I am not sure BDF is the worst bank to deal with but, at least in Estelí where the manager has no power (probably thanks to a problem with four ex-bank employees a year or so ago), they are pretty useless. A mattress sure seems a lot better.