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Good.

(Here’s the story)

I had an account with the BNZ once.

It was at a time when mortgage rates in New Zealand were hitting 20% and interest rates for deposits weren’t far behind.

I had maybe $200 left over after a trip home, so I asked the bank officer what sort of account he’d suggest, given that I wouldn’t need to access the money for a year or so.

“This one” he said “15% per annum”

Thought nothing more of it until I get a letter (this is pre-fax and pre-email – yes children, there was such a time..) a while later stating that as I hadn’t paid any money into the account in the last 3 months, they’d closed it and were holding the money in a NON-INTEREST BEARING central account for my disposal.

A long correspondence ensued during which they saw absolutely nothing wrong with their actions and had NO intention of of paying me ANY interest at all.

And they never did.

I now have my account with National in Richmond and an excellent consultant by the name of Phil Daly.

He’s taken to dropping me mails along the lines of “You’ve got so and so much invested at such and such a rate, but you could get better interest with no increase in risk by doing this”.

A dream come true.
Wasn’t easy getting there, though.


His predecessor (at a different branch) responded to a request with “I shall reply at my earliest convenience”


Which she did.


A week later. (I kid you not…)


And when I requested a credit card from HER predecessor, I got the quick turn-down about “not being a resident”.


I quietly pointed out that perhaps she should have a quick look at the balance of my account (BIG chunk of money at the time) and reconsider.


Which she did.


Quite rapidly. And positively.


But I’m glad I’ve got Phil