Stuck in a different mindset

Retail banking in India has always been a nightmarish experience. Once nationalized, these servants of the people couldn't be bothered to work.

You could be standing there for a while, and still be ignored. You could be staring at the teller and he/she could be sipping coffee leisurely. You could be in tears, but he/she could still continue with her chatting.

If you go by the promotions and press-releases, we must be in a new customer-friendly era in banking. Scratch the surface, and you hardly see any difference. Lipstick on a pig doesn't make it much of a beauty. Part of the problem is that the changes have been very cosmetic, with hardly any new bank emerging. So we have the same nationalized banks with new logos, and a fresh coat of paint, and maybe new shiny buildings. There are also noises made about getting into wealth management and getting a makeover. Be prepared to be disappointed though. That is what happened to me recently at ING. There just doesn't seem to be even a formal/methodical way of dealing with requests. Getting lost is even easier, with no directions or help forthcoming.

One saving grace with all the banks is the sudden urge to open ATMs. This, as I have explained in an earlier post, definitely helps in avoiding contact with the banking staff. To that extent, banking with any of them is now much more pleasant.

Are there brand new banks that are a children of the new boomtimes ? I have been told Yes Bank could be a candidate. I haven't gotten a chance to try out their service. Have you ? Is it any good ? Or is it just a piglet ?