I found out that normal (slow) SEPA transfers to exchanges were put on hold, while transaction status was "accepted".
So i took a couple of deep breaths, made myself a big mug of strong latte and called the bank support line, which wasn't easy, because i had to trigger an authenticated phone call through their AI chatbot inside their mobile app
Yeah, WTF?! This is what i was thinking, too.
So the operator (f) asked me, if i did initiate those transactions by myself, if i know the owner of the receiving bank account, and if i was told to do so or if it was my personal decision. I just answered accordingly, then she asked me what the reason for this transaction was (privacy, anyone?), I answered that i provided money to a trading depot. She asked me to hold the line for a few minutes. When she returned to the call and rescued me from the boring waiting music with intermittent, loud beeps (?), like if you dial a random 0 on a number pad, she said the instant transactions would have to be initiated again, and the SEPA transactions got unlocked.
About half an hour later, i was driving the car and just got to my target, i got another call from the bank. This time it was some supervisor, asking me
very detailed questionsThis is where I ask the one question that can make
them nervous. "I believe closing an account is expense free by law, isn't it?".
No reason for that, yet.
I played this soft threat several times, with several banks. Twice I actually followed through.
Once in particular I remember well: I didn't actually close the account, but the following day I made a significant transfer of about 95% of my funds into another bank. We NEED to have more than one bank don't we?. At the time, the amount was substantial. Substantial enough that they called to ask why. Not in an inquisitive, "are you supporting terrorism or scams" way: they could see the destination address was in my name, only at a different bank. I answered: "Why? Because the other bank doesn't try to obstruct my transfers. I already managed a few transfers from them in the past, and there was no hassle." (which was true).
Actually, i have another account and i can shift funds with high limits over in like realtime, but it belongs to a bank that was bought by the other one, and after that they merged, or, got swallowed by the other, i basically would shift my money from them to them, which makes as much sense as a boot without a sole.
Kudos, for your decisions and actions! For ASS disordered folks, it's often hard to make a point in the heat of the moment, and if you make one, nobody seems to be able to follow it correctly. It's not that you don't know the perfect moves, but it happens minutes* later (*if you're lucky).
Banker boldness like this is straightforward unexpectedly overwhelming, that you wouldn't be able to process it for a while, it gets skipped for later, automatically. You can only experience this, but you can't change it. However, it works as long the other person more or less follows your script, which you may have prepared for days or sometimes weeks as preparation for this exact conversation.
She asked me where the money was coming from, plus more or less the same questions from the first call, plus if i am investing myself or who was my broker (LMFAO!). This type of private stuff. Then i became frustrated and started to nag her a bit, asked her if she wants to know my zodiac sign and gender,
This is where I ask for the color of her underwear and if she's actually wearing it. Privacy, you know. At least to call center operators.
Nah, i had my earbuds on (in?) while calling, which give you good acoustically judgement of the space the call was coming from. Compared to the first call, this one had absolutely no background noises present. If i would bet, the call was made from a more private office, maybe home-office. Sounded like carpet and wooden shelfs or cabinets, more damped, unlike a toilet room, which strucks the listener with intense reflection. Her reaction to my nagging didn't show any sign of insecurity, that was not the usual employee in a call-center. The dialect sounded like she was native, but it was typical for a more distant region. Maybe some head office.
I don't care so much now. The situation is resolved, but there will be actions met by me in the future to ensure fluid transfers.
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