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Customers still complain about banks, especially non-working ATMs

The 'out of service' ATM at Nanny Cay has been causing much inconvenience to customers. Photo: Team of Reporters
The 1FirstBank ATM in Road Town. Many customers have complained about the frequency of the cash machines not working or being out of service. Photo: Team of Reporters
The 1FirstBank ATM in Road Town. Many customers have complained about the frequency of the cash machines not working or being out of service. Photo: Team of Reporters
Customers of Republic Bank have often complained about ATMs running out of cash. Photo: VINO/File
Customers of Republic Bank have often complained about ATMs running out of cash. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Immediately after the Covid-19 pandemic (2020/2021), many residents complained to our newsroom about the treatment by banks, with long lines of residents standing outside in the rain and scorching sun for hours.

In all fairness, that has been much improved. Lines are reduced and most customers are encouraged to use cash machines and other electronic ways of banking. 

However, there are still long lines at Banco Popular and complaints of slow tellers and long waiting times at the drive-through.

Another bank that came in recently for criticism is 1FirstBank. Many customers complain about the frequency of the cash machines not working or being out of service.

Out of Service

For weeks, the 1FirstBank cash machine at Nanny Cay has been out of service, causing much inconvenience to customers.

The machine was covered with a paper sign saying: “Please be advised that this machine is currently out of service and we are hoping to have it restored soon.”

It is believed that 1FirstBank is awaiting personnel from overseas to fix the machines. It is unclear why no locals have been trained for this task.

There have been many times also when banks' cash machines have run out of cash, especially Republic Bank, and other ATMs around the island, as well as on Virgin Gorda, have not been working.

While lines are reduced and some banks have hired new tellers, the issue of banks not lending loans as frequently to residents, and the high-interest rates, continue to be a challenge.

The Financial Service Commission (FSC) is responsible for regulating the banks.

20 Responses to “Customers still complain about banks, especially non-working ATMs”

  • … (07/02/2023, 11:19) Like (23) Dislike (1) Reply
    These banks are a waste of time
  • Really (07/02/2023, 11:32) Like (10) Dislike (14) Reply
    All by design. I am not pychic but I told you all its going to happen. When the mark came out all banks around the world been giving the worst service ever. The ATM machine always used to work if it had problems they would fix them so this is crazy. The US dollar has crashed all by design to bring in the beast digital system. Don't say I didn't warn you because they are telling you but you don't understand who is running this devil earth. You are going to wake Up one day and your money is going to be fully controlled by the elites and when you get it back it will be given to via transfer by health card and if you don't know what that means look it Up. All vaccinated people will love this system at first because they can just use their body for all transactions but wait till they find out that they are marked Also. This new technology is good in many ways but it's deadly in the elites/puppets hands. Agenda 2021 depopulation. Agenda 2030 climate change substanable society. I don't know why you believe these people they don't ever get anything right
  • The watchdog (07/02/2023, 11:47) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    First bank seems to have the highest turn over
  • virgin gorda (07/02/2023, 11:50) Like (18) Dislike (0) Reply
    Try living on a sister island. It is worse here
  • dis (07/02/2023, 12:40) Like (15) Dislike (2) Reply
    I am disgusted with republic bank. Every min some sort of fraudulent activities going on. Best they had keep scotia bank !
  • End time Agenda (07/02/2023, 13:19) Like (6) Dislike (4) Reply
    Open your eyes, people! It is all by design. They are setting us up for the Digital currency. Soon we will not be able to access your cash.

    TAKE YOUR MONEY OUT NOW!!!

    BUT ANYWAY, IT WON'T BE ANY USE AS THEY ARE SETTING UP THE MARK OF THE BEAST STSTEM- 666.

    WHO WILL YOU WORSHIP?THE CREATOR WHO CREATED THE WORLD IN SIX DAYS AND RESTED ON THE 7TH OR THE CREATURE, SATAN?

    IT'S DECISION TIME!!
    • Agenda 2030 (07/02/2023, 14:18) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      I agree , where should we keep our money though
      • End time Agenda (07/02/2023, 20:59) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
        @Agenda 2030 you better get your mind off that money because soon it will be worthless. I said to take it off the bank, but you still will not be able to use it.

        All I can tell you is to surrender to Jesus Christ. Many are showing off on one another now but soon and very soon the Wheat will be separated from the Tares. Many people here in this BVI just care about making money, money and forgetting about their souls. They are keeping down their own people from making a living, but soon God will eradicate all evil doers. Let's see how their money can save them.
  • asura (07/02/2023, 15:28) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    i have to go back to under the pillow this is crazy
  • smh (07/02/2023, 17:23) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Vg is the pits!! They need open banco everyday.
  • Outlaw (07/02/2023, 17:51) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    This is a deliberate act on the part of the banks and I won’t blame them, they customers are the reason for such, they have commitments with the bank but will deliberately go to the ATM at pay periods and draw off all their money so the back cannot get money owed to them through loans, etc. some people are too nasty minded.
  • Brenda (07/02/2023, 18:00) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    VENO this is an excellent and timely article and unless these impprtant issues are address by the Regulator and Government our people will cintinue to suffer. In the BVI we take every thing for granted. Look at our poor people standing in thr sun. Dont talk about getting a loan. No service at all.
  • Busy Bee (07/02/2023, 18:43) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    You'll can say what you want, but the regulation covering the banks are lax and where they do exist t they are not enforced.
  • laughable (07/02/2023, 20:36) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    As someone who travels and does business all over the world. I must say the banks here in the BVI are the worst I have ever seen! No where in the world are bank tellers aloud on their cell phones PERIOD or to eat food at their stations while customers stand and wait. Bank managers not stepping in to help or even correct bank tellers behaviors. Long lines of customers and a teller will assist one customer and then look at their phone or get up and walk around all laxadazy as if they have no customers. I have NEVER waited longer than 15 mins in a bank anywhere else other than the BVI, PERIOD! No way does the regulatory agencies who monitor and control the banking industry world wide know about what’s going on here in the BVI! I get through the long lines of Riteway way faster than I do at the bank here for Christ sakes!
  • pop (07/02/2023, 22:20) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    FSC is a total waste of time and human resources.
  • banks (08/02/2023, 03:56) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    The banks need to police themself because there are some unscrupulous people working there. Unfortunately, one day after an agent called me about unpaid balance on a credit card at the Bank that changed ownership, I started seeing attempted internet charges on the card. Now, I never collected the card from the bank. The bank still has the card for which they are trying to charge me renewal fees, and one day after the agent called me attempted charges started appearing for this card. Please tell me what is the likely hood that this is an inside job. there is no honor among thieves.
  • note (08/02/2023, 08:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am in the US and travel extensively. I cannot recall teller service except in the BVI. Everything is on line...everything.
    The VI bank tellers need to realize that they are minutes away from becoming obsolete.
    They are nnoteo longer needed in the real world.
    Bank loans I have also done online including the signings of documents.


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