Banks

I have never thought about my bank's influence on my life until the subject was discussed recently in a lecture.  It is so strange that something that has such a great impact on our lives is hardly ever deeply thought of or questioned by most of us. 
Firstly, there is the relationship we have with our banks, they are so dependent on us as consumers and workers yet they are so authoritative in connection to us.  Think of bank letters and how they are worded, we are constantly being told what to do and because yet because it's constructed nicely and politely we ignore the tone and do not really question it.  It is strange how this relationship between banks and their customers is never really as equal as we are lead to believe, for example if you have lots of money in the bank then they will do heir utmost to get in contact and act caring and concerned.  If on the other hand you do not then no one really cares to check if you are having difficulties and the formally cold letters that normally follow are proof enough of how much you really mean to the bank managers.  Surely, it is precisely when we are in trouble that we need the biggest support?  Secondly, are they really making us happier or are they just complicating things further.  The real problem is that even if you realise that you do not want to be involved with banks any longer, everything around us makes it almost impossible not to be.  A bank account and/or credit card has become necessary! And why do we need a middle man anyway?  After all, we survived centuries without them and we were none the worst off for it.

The links below are informative and a start:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2009/jan/28/survey-which-banks-customer-satisfaction

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/saving/article-1712893/Half-of-bank-customers-unhappy-with-service.html