So, I am looking for a new bank. I opened an account with PNC about 2 months ago. I like to make…read moresome deposits, make trips to the branch to interact with bank employees, etc. see how the service will be before moving EVERYTHING over.
On Friday December 9 I had a very simple transaction to complete: $300 withdrawal. But, I did not have my PNC debit card so I went into the branch. The teller asked for my ID which I supplied, and she asked for the debit card. I explained that I did not have it on me. The teller asked for another debit or credit card. She walked away and came back and told me that my signature did not match and that I will need to update my signature card.
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let me provide some context before i continue. The branch this day and time had nothing but BIPOC folks working. And nothing but BIPOC customers. The woman who was helping me appeared to be a relatively light-skinned Black woman but had a latin accent - I assume Dominican, based on the location. But, Puerto Rican, Cuban, etc. are possibilities. I do know that certain cultures have biases baked into them at a higher level than others. Some latin Caribbean cultures are famous for shunning darker skin. In fact, I literally just watched a Black Dominican grandmother refuse to allow her grandchild to play with a Black baby doll. (its what reminded me to write this review)
So, the fact that the teller was BIPOC means does not mean she is incapable of being biased.
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At this point, i read bias and I told her that If I have to do all that, then let's just close the account. I've learned what I needed to learn.
Now, the way this branch is set up, I was sent to the middle of the lobby to process the account closure. The person greeted me, i told her what the issue was and I was talking at a normal level (in a room like that, voices carry), i was not being abusive, I was not cursing or anything of the sort - but i was definitely annoyed.
at this point a South Asian man, Pakistani, Indian, or Sri Lankan, maybe, decided that he wanted to chime in from way cross the room that I am "playing the race card". I chirped back that he should mind his phxcking business, and he proceeded to hurl insults - ignorant, uneducated, etc.
The Black woman, who had come over and appeared to be in a managerial position, went from wanting to help resolve the issue to noticing that i was calculating whether I going to beat the brakes off of this man in front of all these cameras, in a bank.
South Asian dude kept yappin. I told him "well, you have to come outside". So, of course they called the police. I waited. My guess is that when i left, the Black woman told the customer that he should not have entered into the conversation. That was a dangerous thing for him to do. he had no idea what kind of day i was having. what kind of weapon i had on my person. he could have ruined multiple lives just by sticking his nose where it did not belong.
The police came. and they went. Now, this customer has to wonder what will happen if I ever see him and there are not any cameras around.
As for PNC. After speaking with the police, i went immediately to 2 other PNC branch. The first one did not do cash transactions, so I was going to withdraw via a cashier's check. Rep took my ID and 3rd party bank debit card and had no problem with my signature, in fact, he was friendly and talked to me such that i learned that i could access the atm via the PNC mobile app - so thats what i did.
At the 3rd branch I went to for the day, i was able to make the withdrawal with no problem using my ID and 3rd party bank debit card.
So, tell me why it was an issue at this branch..?? That teller made a subjective decision to put me through additional rigamarole.
As for my South Asian friend, he can write a note of apology and leave it for me with the manager at the branch or he can live with the idea that he has no idea what may happen if i should ever see him again.
