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Banks treating VI residents like 'scorned dogs'– Claude O. Skelton-Cline

- urged customers to push back against the treatment being meted out to them
Many customers of banks in the Virgin Islands have been complaining about poor treatment being meted out to them during this pandemic. The issue was brought up on the Honestly Speaking radio show on August 10, 2021. Photo: VINO/File
Government consultant Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline has called on the Andrew A. Fahie-led administration to intervene in the alleged bad treatment that the various banking institutions are meting out to the public. Photo: VINO/File
Government consultant Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline has called on the Andrew A. Fahie-led administration to intervene in the alleged bad treatment that the various banking institutions are meting out to the public. Photo: VINO/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI- Government consultant Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline has called on the Andrew A. Fahie-led administration to intervene in the alleged bad treatment that the various banking institutions are meting out to the public.

Many customers of banks have been complaining on social media about not being treated fairly and with dignity by their banks during this pandemic.

“Going on three, four weeks now, you can’t have access to these banks. You gotta call Banco [Popular] to make an appointment to see somebody. And then the people are complaining, you call, nobody would answer the phone or the phone don’t even ring,” he stated on his Honestly Speaking Radio Programme on 780 ZBVI AM on Tuesday, August 10, 2021.

“To go to Banco, you got cars on the drive-thru lined up around the admin complex, around Maria’s coming around. I see some people posting on Facebook, “90 minutes now, and I am still in the drive-thru line, how much longer does it take?” Why are you all doing this to the people?”

Government needs to step in!

Mr Skelton-Cline said the government must step in and “say to the powers that be, in Puerto Rico and St Thomas and Trinidad and wherever these headquarters are and tell these people you will not tolerate how your people are being treated in these Virgin Islands.”

“Yes, we must be safe, yes we must be sane, but we must find a better way to conduct business than how we have been doing these last few weeks.”

Decisions can’t be from locals

Mr Skelton Cline said he is confident that these decisions are not being made by the locals employed at these banks.

“Nobody can convince me that these are local decisions because I know the local people in Republic Bank, in First Bank, First Caribbean Bank, Banco, and I know some of the people, and I know that this cannot be their decisions. We gotta do better than this! We are not treating our people in this country right!”

He also called on the locals to “push back against wherever these decisions are coming from and stop treating us here in these Virgin Islands like we are some kind of scorned dogs!”

48 Responses to “Banks treating VI residents like 'scorned dogs'– Claude O. Skelton-Cline”

  • concerned citizen (12/08/2021, 09:42) Like (22) Dislike (0) Reply
    Totally agree
    • Rubber Duck (12/08/2021, 19:28) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Well it has to be said that banks throughout the world have not the slightest notion of Customer service, fairness or honour but the banks in BVI set new lows in all three.

      Someone once said that banks are organizations that might rent you an umbrella but will want it back immediately it starts raining.

      One particular rip off here is the rates charged for credit card payments. A typical rate in the UK is 0.9%. The EU has said that 0.9 % is the maximum rate anyone should pay. Here in BVI many new start up businesses are charged 5% to process a credit card , even big businesses pay 3%. This of course results in higher prices for all. Why do they do this? Because they can.

      The government could legislate for this. I propose a maximum rate of 2% by law.

      But I fear we will wait in vain for action from Fahie and Co.
  • Strange (12/08/2021, 09:43) Like (27) Dislike (28) Reply
    Sad Sad Sad. Wonder if that's how expats have been treated in the BVI? Scorned dogs... Not a great feeling at all pastor.
    • Mrs Tubman (13/08/2021, 09:31) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      Expats are treated worse in their own countries.most cannot even get jobs. Their skin is too brown. Those who do have a job must every day be dipping and dodging for fear of their lives.
      There is a reason why they fight to stay here with or without a job. Problem is that their innate character resulting from their lifelong generational of preying and being preyed upon does not endear them to civility . They have no concept of gratitude and sees generosity and acceptance by the VI as a weakness...so to them Totola people who loo k s like them but of a different behaviour are chupid. They are in need of serious self evaluation,acceptance and behavioural change. Their countries blessed by Nature,are rich beyond measure but they are poor in mind body and Spirit.
      • @Mrs Tudman (13/08/2021, 14:19) Like (1) Dislike (2) Reply
        Agree 100% with your comment. That individual wanted to pour gasoline on smothering smoke. Let them take that and let it sink in. Always with their freaking NONSENSE!
  • Very good (12/08/2021, 09:53) Like (53) Dislike (2) Reply
    This is a topic long deserving of discussion!!!! banking is the core of businesses of any kind and by everyone, it should never take a person at any given time, hours to be serviced by the bank. I recall jus going in to make a request for a bank reference letter (BANCO) and i stood in front the front desk with 3 other persons jus waiting for this young lady to even acknowledge our presence. Something as simple as completing a form and handing it over took 30 mins, the employees need to be held accountable as well... how can you see ppl in front your face, most to ask a simple question and u just ignore them no greeting, you in ur phone texting, your face make up, you are unpleasant and have an attitude and u taking your sweet time to move as if ppl dont have other things to do! It is RIDICULOUS!!!!! Yet they have no problem in hunting you down for their monies but treat you like dog when u go in to do ur daily business....disgusting.
  • Patriotic (12/08/2021, 10:05) Like (31) Dislike (0) Reply
    WE NEED WELLS FARGO HERE TO DEMONSTRATE PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AND SET AN EXAMPLE FOR THESE BANKS IN THE BVI .MY ANSESTORS WERE TREATED BETTER IN THE COLONONIAL DAYS TRUST ME. THESE BANKS IN THE BVI NEEDS TO INTERNATIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE STANDARDS.GOING TO THE BANK SUPPOSE TO BE A BEAUTIFUL AND SOMEWHAT JOYIOUS EXPERIENCE BUT NOT IN BVI 99 PERCENT OF PEOPLE DREADING GOING TO THESE BANKS.
    • Guest (12/08/2021, 11:23) Like (37) Dislike (12) Reply
      when u are employed at certain businesses because u are a "local" and not employed because of ability, don't expect any standards.
    • Bandit (12/08/2021, 12:49) Like (34) Dislike (1) Reply
      Its not the name of the Bank but who you hire to run the bank. You can bring Wells Fargo and still have shitty service because of the people working there.
  • VG Resident (12/08/2021, 10:05) Like (14) Dislike (22) Reply
    Folks should be doing the banking on-line and not going into the bank. I do all of my banking on-line unless I am doing a deposit and then I use the ATM machine.
    • Agree (12/08/2021, 11:07) Like (25) Dislike (0) Reply
      I also totally agree with this comment, but when u really think about it, ALOT of the online-banking capabilities arent active or accessible to us her. In the US and other places, you can literally do EVERYTHING online. when u go online to research information, say for a mortgage, what are the requirements etc. it says "Visit your local branch for assistance". so it leads you right back around to the core of the issue.
    • Young concerned citizen (12/08/2021, 11:50) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      In general Banco operates differently on mainland US. They would even time their employees on how quickly they provided a service in the past. If you wish to make a loan payment towards the principal, you have to see someone to get the slip completed before doing so. Not everything unfortunately can be done online. I wish I could manage my loan and make extra payments without having to go to the bank. There website and its capabilities need an overhaul, especially in COVID times. We should be able to do most transactions without the need for face-to-face engagement if our monies are in the bank.
    • VG Resident (12/08/2021, 13:20) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      glad to know the ATM machines in VG are always working to accept deposits. The bank I deal with in Tola, not all the time it accepts cash deposits but will accept check deposits. So you can't sit there and assume your luck is everybody own. Don't talk about when the cash get stuck in the machine no matter how neat they are inserted and then you have to take days to get into the bank to see what become of your cash you were trying to deposit. Scotia deposits use envelope but banco you have to insert the raw cash and it count it.
  • tola (12/08/2021, 10:06) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    I agree with you
  • agreed (12/08/2021, 10:11) Like (20) Dislike (0) Reply
    For once I agree with you. It also happens in the USVI. The tellers are sooooooooooooo slow, compare to the fast, efficient services I am used too in the States.
  • Rubber d!ck (12/08/2021, 10:13) Like (19) Dislike (2) Reply
    Fahie stand up to the injustice or else you will not last 4 more years
  • NezRez (12/08/2021, 10:46) Like (39) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr. Cline, please let’s not forget the inhumane treatment of standing outside with no seating. I had a hip replacement and spine surgery, which is impossible to stand for long periods. Even without my medical conditions, healthy people can’t bear it anymore. The hot sun or rain is pouring down on everyone at every bank, not just Banco. As Bank Owners, they should have thought about this serious situation a long time ago.
  • Extremely Poor Customer service (12/08/2021, 10:52) Like (24) Dislike (0) Reply
    It is two years no I am trying to reset my password for my Popular online account. On one occasion I was holding the telephone for 40 minutes and no one answered. Tried online went through all the process, it tells me the password is reset but when you try to log in you have to start the whole process again. Went into the bank they said they cannot help me I have to call PR.
    • Me Too (12/08/2021, 13:33) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      This happened to me as well. I still can’t get into the online account (it’s been more than a year) and I refuse to call PR again because they said that it has to be handled at the local bank SMH!!! I gave up.
      • @EPCS & Me Too (12/08/2021, 17:52) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
        I've had the same problem at First Bank going on a couple years and can't get it sorted.
  • mad max (12/08/2021, 10:57) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
    Yes it is disgusting and from all banks. They will not change unless there is more competition. Encourage new banks, especially those that will lend at a decent rate for mortgages!
  • VG1110 (12/08/2021, 11:00) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    who to blame: as a developing country it is about time that we pull our sicks-up and stop the bitching

    how much longer will governments allow people or businesses to enter our country and dictate to us

    when leaders sellout the place for personal gain then they have no balls to standup and speak out for those who calls this place home

    those in leadership post must make good rules and regulations and stick to them

    that thing call money will be the downfall of our country especially with mix-up leadership

  • @vg resident (12/08/2021, 11:07) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    You should come TOLA and try to use Banco ATM. You would see eha going on. Absolutely no access especially when its payydays or weekends
  • fcib (12/08/2021, 11:23) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Even before COVID banking was a horrible experience. The tellers are purposefully slow. Today it's ten times worse. At least some music here by the park calming this angry beast.
  • TruDat! (12/08/2021, 11:30) Like (10) Dislike (2) Reply
    I've lived all over the world and here is one of the last hold-outs for making you come into a branch to get things done. The rest of the world is embracing technology and really has no interest in seeing a customer face to face unless it's absolutely necessary. Here in paradise, they seem to take some perverse satisfaction in seeing us lined up like lambs to the slaughter just waiting to be able to do something with OUR money. I take some serious satisfaction from knowing that within the next ten years crypto-currencies will eradicate the need for these institutions. Banks are on the way out, permanently and most of them don't even see it coming. Trustless peer-to-peer transactions are the future of finance. #BuyBitcoinNow
  • Lucifer (12/08/2021, 11:58) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Agreed but this has gone on long before COVID gave an excuse for bad service. Not sure on the relevance of the comment re it not being the fault of the locals. Poor service is poor service and regardless of if they local or not. I would also offer that it isn't rocket science that the start of the day is the busy period so maybe having more than one or two counter staff at opening would make things a little better.

    The banks know they can continue treating us all badly though as its not like we can go to another for better service with them all as bad as each other.
  • support (12/08/2021, 12:09) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
    The bvi certainly needs more Banks ,more dentist , more orthopedic specialist, oncologist , urologist and moreso now respiratory therapist . These are areas where a growing economy such as bvi lacking.
  • Trinidad (12/08/2021, 12:49) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Has soo many cases and yet the banks never closed period
    And operates same manner as before COVID

    Drive through nope
    Banking outside I don’t think soo nope


    This is insane if u all
    Don’t want to operate close and give way for a bank that does.
    Imagine u have to literally beg for your money suffer to get it.
    Trying to do a wire for business that’s almost impossible.


    Maybe ppl should buy safes and keep their money’s home ...
  • RedStorm (12/08/2021, 12:56) Like (6) Dislike (1) Reply
    I spend four hours in a line waiting on Tuesday, did not even know I get to get a number. THe changes are not for the people its for the administration inside. I am not going back pretty soon, but I have to return. I have not be able to use three of the banks to do deposits, the machine is always out of order.

    The never take the community into consideration when these changes are made, and its one of the reason, people go around in circles thinking if they move their money to this bank or thank bank it will be easier. This is only if you have inside contact, if not your goose is cooked in standing up in the lines. Some people go to the line at &:30 and 6:45 just to get in front of the line. Government say, don't keep your money under the mattress anymore bring it to the bank , so they change you to keep it there and then charge you to take it out if you use the ATM. Then, if you do keep it at home and they cops raid you house , its then consider illegal funds. What a messed up world!

    No matter how loud to call on government it won't change , its like the internet, going around and around with the same attitude, but they are willing to take your money for crappy service. Lets not complain anymore, Join me in sending 1000 letter by email to their headquarter. Its because the people do nothing the leaders things they have power, but have power with the community not over the community.
  • Sick Of It (12/08/2021, 13:40) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Don’t even think of going to the bank during your lunch hour either. Way before Covid this was a vexing matter. I always wondered why there has never been any true attempts to improve banking services. The thought of having to do banking is and has been absolutely dreadful fir some years now.
  • Jane (12/08/2021, 14:12) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why arent the banks providing retailers with touchless card readers?
    Why arent the banks even providing their customers with chip and pin cards?

    Why cannot government work out how to set up an inter-bank BVI clearing house? BVI banks cannot wire money to another BVI bank without that transfer being routed to New York to a correspondence bank, this is a big reason why we have such limited online banking utility.

    BVI financial services industry has been built around being an incorporation jurisdiction. The banking sector is an extraordinarily underdeveloped part of the financial services industry. If the banking sector was expanded it would drive the financial services industry and wider economy to grow. Go to the Cayman Islands: there are 10 retail banks to choose from (and 101 further banks which do international business only). This is one of the things which is holding BVI back. Fix the banking issue and you fix a lot of other problems as a consequence.
  • Not Just Banks (12/08/2021, 14:13) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    It's not just the banks where you have to line up for over an hour in the hot sun - Inland Revenue is very inefficient too! It took over an hour to pay my taxes today......
    • Hmm (12/08/2021, 17:12) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
      Really, I go inland every month and since they have moved to Fish bay the most I stand is 15mins. I guess you pick a poor time and day to go there.
  • Yes (12/08/2021, 14:30) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    We talking about the Banks what about the tele communication .i fedup now paying Money every month for terrible service .its sickening .no body looking into these problem.
  • E. Leonard (12/08/2021, 15:03) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Time is money. Banking in the VI is frustrating, takes precious time and demands Job’s faith to cope. Routine banking services takes an eternity. Similar routine in-person services in the US takes much less time; in fact, most transactions can be conducted on line. Though it may not fair to compare the level of banking services in the US, a superpower, with the tiny BVI, banks in the VI can be more effective and efficient. Some organizational, operational, structural, managerial/leadership, behavioral and attitudinal change may be needed. On the level, banks need to demonstrate more respect towards their customers. However, customers have true power and must use it.

    Banks provide valuable services to the community, including creating money. Nonetheless, one of their services is taking deposits from customers, pool the deposits, pay minimal interest on deposits and lend out some of the deposits to borrowers at high interest. Banks need deposits from customers to stay in business. Customers should expect respect and dignity from banks or any other business, and if they are not getting it, they should take their business elsewhere where they respected.
    • 6 and half a dozen (12/08/2021, 21:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      All the banks are the same, ie, 6 or half a dozen. They are an oligarchy that needs to be broken asunder. However, nothing will changed unless customers demand it. Customers have been putting up with poor service for much too long. It is time to agitate for change. Customers exercise the control that it has.
  • Eagle and Buffalo (12/08/2021, 16:51) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    Republic Bank, First Bank, First Caribbean or Banco Popular none of them are local. Their profits don’t stay in the territory to circulate in the economy. They take much and give back little. Why can’t locals pool their resources, talent and experience and form a bank(s)? Just saying. But whether a bank is local or external, it still has to deliver quality services. Run on a few banks to drive the message home.Banks understand the color green and the bottom line—-profit.

    [Lets lead as eagles, not careen off the cliff like buffaloes]
    • @E$B (12/08/2021, 18:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      @E&B, run on the bank really. What will that solve.
    • I Voting CSC next election (13/08/2021, 04:16) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      He has most the qualities I am looking for..1/ He is courageous and fearless......2/ He hates wrong done to People.....3/ He is elequent, brilliant and well spoken.....4/ He is very compassionate and empathetic ...5/ He will be the perfect minister for Labour and Immigration, keep him away from finance ..and 6, He has repented from his greedy ways... I voting CSC next election, not only im I voting for him I will be campaigning for him....Seriously... Cant get worst than what we had the past 10 yrs..
  • Mary (12/08/2021, 17:20) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good job Claude Skelton. You need to add Insurance Companies to this. The high cost of Insurance in this country is staggering
  • True (12/08/2021, 22:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    To clause these decisions were very much made by our cery own local managers ....example i went to the bank this vexy week ..wait in lone wvwr so long ,, come to find our we cant enter in side ..to be told omly seniors can enter.. all odher jave to go drive throw..

    I ask fewriously what happen to those who domt have a car the securify say thata the oder they get.
    Iask if you dont have a car what...he say catch a ride in a car
    Their were about 25 people wanting to get their check change and withdrawals no body care
    They worker walk on you not even a question..

    I made an over sea call to a oit side Banco tell them the situation here in the BV I and they say that should not happen so....appointment is to be made for customer srevice not if you going to teller.. bit no one cares..

    This whole coeona thing have the whole place upside down the GOVERMENT DONT CARE SIO TIHE PREOPLE IN HIGH POITION JOBS they are asking for riotts like other places
    This too much taking a vantage of the avarsge people
  • @ CSC (12/08/2021, 22:41) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    well banks are players , and when fancy talkers cannot get into their groove ,THEY START POINTING FINGERS
  • I agree 100%. They dont care. (13/08/2021, 04:07) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    I pass by and see the people in long lines and they are in the Sun, the little covering they have cant do much...I am still glad it take this pandemic for you all to see the true colours of the banks, they dont care about people, they only care about the people's money and some of them dont even care about our money the way they speak to us....Finally,. The truth has been revealed.
  • vast (13/08/2021, 06:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    he needs to talk about the housing projects and removing persons from there seats
  • Reality check (13/08/2021, 08:45) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    If you want low interest rates you have to have a high credit rating proving you are a good risk. Banks are businesses and depend on repayment to stay in business. Our National Bank has to charge high interest rates because its loan default percentage is so high that it wouldn't be allowed to stay open in most other jurisdictions.
    I agree the service is abysmal, but blame that on the Labour Department making it difficult to hire proper staff, and the Education Department for not teaching proper ethics, starting with classroom doors locked at class start time; you late you penalized. You want 1st world service start training the next generation of service people to provide it!
  • indee (13/08/2021, 17:06) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Needs a credit Union here to be in competition with the banks. Credit unions tend to have lower fees and better interest rates on savings accounts and loans.


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