Bank counter cash withdrawal today.

@Gallus - I've worked for a high street bank for the last 20 years. Let me give you the answer.

First and foremost, despite what you might imagine, we don't wake up in the morning, and whilst cleaning our teeth think, "You know what, when Mr G Allus comes in today I'm going to annoy him and ask him what he's doing with his money". Neither are we enjoying being nosy. We don't know you "from Adam", and ultimately yes you can do what you want with your money - we ultimately don't care.

But believe it or not, we actually do care - about you.

Social engineering is sooooo prevalent now. Joe public obviously wont be aware, but multiple times a day (genuinely) we get people in the branch who have been scammed (most likely) or coerced under duress (more rare).

Also - IQ and life experience are irrelevant. None of us should say "I'm too smart - no one will do me". I've witnessed a retired accountant (who built and sold his own business over decades) give a bloke who tarmacked his driveway £120k over 12 x £10k cash withdrawals over a 12 month period for "an investment" - it turned out to be a ponzi and he lost it all. And guess what we did when he requested the money? We questioned him - because we care, and we dont want people to lose their money. We warned him multiple times, but in a condescending manner he said to me, "Son, I know what I'm doing". This happens soooo often.

Also (but thankfully rarer) we do get the odd person in for £1-5k for someone who has "cut their hedge" or "mown their lawn" etc, or believe it or not have someone stood outside threatening them.

So.... believe it or not, we don't "care" what you do with your money, and we haven't got the time or slightest interest in discussing how Mr G Allus is off to pay for hookers or blow once he leaves the branch - we've heard it all before, and we're too busy - we ask many people every day.

And imagine in today's world of when "its everyone elses fault but mine", and on the time we DIDN'T ask, that person loses out? Guess what? The snowflakes would throw their arms up saying, "The bank had a duty of care....they should have supported me...asked me questions...blah blah blah".

We actually just care for people - just the same as any trade worth their salt should. E.g. what business is it of dentists and doctors to ask us questions about our diet? I CAN EAT WHAT I WANT!!! CAN YOU BELIEVE HE HAD THE CHEEK TO ASK ME THAT!!! It's only because they care. But if we want to drink litres of full fat Coke and stuff burgers and beer down our throats that's great - but they just care.

I hope that answers your question? (edited)

Not sure what the problem is.

They get held responsible for the stupidest actions committed by their customers which in reality they have no part in whatsoever.

They are protecting their interests & their customers interests. If you don't like it swap banks to one that won't refund you if you cock up.

It maybe just the bank looking out for vulnerable customers or customers being scammed, don't worry about it

OP - you sound like a nightmare to deal with.

they will ask if the amount is large as part of money laundering. i am not sure how they would be able to identify money laundering by asking what people are going to do with the money, but it may put people off doing money laundering if they are asked every time they take cash out as it isn't so anonymous.

It is done to make sure you are not being forced to withdraw cash for say a rogue trader. Just say it is for house renovation work.

Far too many people falling for scams and it is coming out of the banks' pockets. So yes, it is going to be made inconvenient for everyone until scam related costs come down significantly.

As for cash, it is unusual to withdraw large amounts in this day & age given the large number of non cash options available to move money. The staff are required to ask questions and it is not just about bank rules but also about police requiring it in many cases. (edited)

They have a duty of care to protect there customers. So I don’t see why you have a problem with being asked

Seems like an over-reaction to me. Each to their own, but on the few times I've withdrawn large amounts in cash I've actually volunteered the reason for doing so before being asked.

Different scenario but I once arrived at the check-in desk for a flight (home from holiday) with double the luggage I was permitted for a single traveller. The reason was because my wife had tragically and unexpectedly died less than 12 hours before, and despite trying, I'd been unable to speak to anyone at the airline before my arrival at the airport.

I couldn't avoid having to explain why I had double the luggage, much as the last thing I felt like doing was drawing attention to myself or having to explain what had happened. Inevitably as soon as I explained (to the very taken aback person at the check-in desk) managers etc. were immediately called because they understandably wanted to establish whether I was in any emotional state to fly (bottom line was the alternative was sitting in a hotel room far away from home with no family etc. to support me, and whether I flew home then or sometime later really was going to make no difference to my emotional state).

Whilst that is a different scenario to the OP's nonetheless to me it's all about customer care, and I genuinely don't get why anyone would have an issue with it.

Tell them it is for drugs and fast women, and make them prove otherwise

Me and the mrs went into the bank to get 15k cash last year and they made a big deal about it, at first giving us loads of greif saying it has to be a transer to another bank.
Eventually they agreed to cash but kept asking loads of annoying questions loud at the window whilst counting up big piles of cash on display and made me more likely to get followed and attacked, absolute idiots, makesme want to keep money in the house (edited)

I think the purpose is to confirm why the cash is being withdrawn, this mainly for customers who have been pressured into withdrawing the money. Usually building work, purchasing a car or paying for an item where the person will only accept cash is a reasonable answer.

This is not the fault of the person but the policy of the bank/building society.

Just tell the cashier your drug dealer insists on cash.

The debate here reminds me of a lawyer joke about how to present the case -

If the facts are against you, argue the law. If the law is against you, argue the facts. If the law and the facts are against you, pound the table and yell like hell.

I think if you take out <5k they don't ask.. or is it 4k?? Anyone shed light on this? (But yeh, hate it when they count it all out in front of a massive queue which has quickly built up behind cos there's only 2 banking clerks) there's no flippin glass/ cubicles anything- just out on show, and talk in a 'normal voice' as opposed to discreetly... always fear getting robbed enroute to the car (edited)

The last time I took a sizeable amount of cash out of my bank (from my bank account!) I walked in with a briefcase. Went to the car dealer to buy my new car and they refused! They said I had to pay via a banker draft. So I had to go back tot he bank and pay for a bankers draft. So annoying. I recall wanting to complain and the cashier was being difficult, when I asked for his name he told me it was Michael Caine. It turned out his name was actually Michael Caine, but I didn't believe him at the time!

I’m assuming it was a high amount..

I know NatWest do this, I just say, it’s for a car, depending on amount..

they’re doing you a favour asking, but I don’t know what secret sign you’re supposed to give, if you are being forced by criminals (edited)

Perhaps you could tell them that you are going to spend the money on your wetsuit collection.

hotukdeals.com/dea…903 (edited)

The paranoia of some people astounds me.

Tell them you got a eye on a prosie and there need a special deposit but don't worry you being safe about it as there having black Friday sale

Chang bank, but I suspect you will find pretty much the same - do a doddy

There's a lot of scams out there mate, i was in the ee shop today for a replacement sim and they went through so many checks and they only stopped when they were satisfied after asking me about my bills etc

Bank staff are trained to spot scams and as part of the scheme will assist customers by asking various questions when they are withdrawing or transferring money to help keep them safe.

ukfinance.org.uk/pre…eme (edited)

OP you hit the nail on the head. I take it you know the Latin for Gallus?

I can think of one scenario you'd always cash at hand; if the missus is about to run off with someone n you need to put the money safe before all the accounts get frozen.

Some banks are a bit crazy about money laundering. I went into HSBC to pay my husband's credit card bill with cash. It was around £1,200 and the cashier said that I can't pay with cash as it isn't my credit card bill so he would have to come in.

I went and paid at the ATM machine in the bank instead, which didn't give me so much lip