Dad Was Wrong

As I was growing up, I vividly recall my dad stating that "if you really want help on something, see a banker". Apparently, there was some situation where he (or a friend) had gone to a variety of people for some assistance, but the only person who was willing to tackle the problem was a banker.

Dad was wrong.

Somewhere between that day and now, banking has taken a turn for the worse. If you happen to be the least bit nonconventional (for even the most rational of reasons) and don't have a bank account or credit card, you're just plain out of luck! An acquaintance of mine does a variety of jobs on a contract basis and, when she gets paid by check, takes it directly to the bank the funds will be drawn on and cashes it. Or at least she did up until the last couple of weeks.

Now the banks are requiring more than just her driver's license and Social Security card. In order to cash the check, she must have a major credit card or passport. Local credit cards and an employee id badge are second level, but would be accepted in a pinch. Prob - lem! No bank account, so no credit cards. Passports cost way too much money for someone who will probably never leave the United States, and couldn't afford it even if she might. And the employee id? Well, it's hard to get one when the place you work doesn't even have them.

It is absolutely OUTRAGEOUS to require upstanding citizens to go through such hoops. Yes, I do understand that there are people out there who would run a scam in a New York minute. However, there must be a way to find a balance between institutional security and meeting the legitimate needs of those who walk through their doors. There are people truly in need who simply want a legitimate check cashed so they can pay their bills and live their lives.

It's a shame that an institution which at one time had a reputation for being a positive community force has become hide-bound and restrictive to the point of making it even more difficult for those who are not in the mainstream of society. What do we need to do to encourage them to change back for the better?