Bank of America employee making comments about Coinbase debits

[coinspender]

Hey all, long time lurker, finally created an account.

I visited a Bank of America branch today to send out a non-bitcoin related wire. When the teller was all finished executing it he looked at his screen and made a comment about recent Coinbase ACH debits in one of my checking accounts, something along the lines of "oh getting started with bitcoin, how do you like it?". I was very surprised to hear such a direct question from him (none of his business, frankly bank tellers ask way too many personal questions imo). I replied with a simple "we'll see how it goes" and he went on to say how risky it sounds to him. Then we said our goodbyes. Uneventful, but they're definitely paying attention.

Anyhow, nice to finally post here, I love this forum and all that I've learned over the years!

[MicroGuy]

Hey all, long time lurker, finally created an account.

I visited a Bank of America branch today to send out a non-bitcoin related wire. When the teller was all finished executing it he looked at his screen and made a comment about recent Coinbase ACH debits in one of my checking accounts, something along the lines of "oh getting started with bitcoin, how do you like it?". I was very surprised to hear such a direct question from him (none of his business, frankly bank tellers ask way too many personal questions imo). I replied with a simple "we'll see how it goes" and he went on to say how risky it sounds to him. Then we said our goodbyes. Uneventful, but they're definitely paying attention.

Anyhow, nice to finally post here, I love this forum and all that I've learned over the years!

Glad to see you posting! Thanks for sharing your story.  

[monbux]

Well, the bank teller is nosy but hey, there aren't that much good conversation starteres out there when it comes to money and bills.  Anyways, welcome to the forum, hope you enjoy it here!

[huadylmate]

I replied with a simple "we'll see how it goes" and he went on to say how risky it sounds to him.

The funny part is he should know a bit how monetary system works, and how risky it is to hold USD

[coinspender]

I replied with a simple "we'll see how it goes" and he went on to say how risky it sounds to him.

The funny part is he should know a bit how monetary system works, and how risky it is to hold USD

Haha so true.. but 99.9% of people have yet to realize that

[markjamrobin]

I replied with a simple "we'll see how it goes" and he went on to say how risky it sounds to him.

The funny part is he should know a bit how monetary system works, and how risky it is to hold USD

Haha so true.. but 99.9% of people have yet to realize that

Well, holding USD will have a lot less fluctuation, whereas Bitcoin can go +- 10% easily a day.

[BCB]

I would guess that the teller was a young person?  and must be familiar with bitcoin and wanted to connect.

[coinspender]

I would guess that the teller was a young person?  and must be familiar with bitcoin and wanted to connect.

Yes he was in his early 20's it looked like. Maybe so, but I don't like when bank tellers get nosy about my business and any attempt at small talk I take as hostile I also don't need the other two people waiting in line to hear that I hold bitcoins. Plus who knows what special buttons they have when they look you up. For example when you deposit cash they make note of how many bills in each denomination you used.

[BCB]

I would guess that the teller was a young person?  and must be familiar with bitcoin and wanted to connect.

Yes he was in his early 20's it looked like. Maybe so, but I don't like when bank tellers get nosy about my business and any attempt at small talk I take as hostile I also don't need the other two people waiting in line to hear that I hold bitcoins. Plus who knows what special buttons they have when they look you up. For example when you deposit cash they make note of how many bills in each denomination you used.

I agree. No ones business.  The interesting thing how widespread knowledge of bitcion has become and that your bank teller would even know the name coinbase.

[philipma1957]

heck my bank called my home and asked me why I did business with coinbase. Guy new my full name and me bank account and the two transactions made with coinbase,  wanted to know what I buy from them.  Since I plan to claim all my BTC earnings I simply answered 'coins'.  He said the bank was doing a money laundering check I said okay.  So if you are usa based and use coinbase you will be clocked  and reported as dealing in coins.   pay your taxes boys and girls.  btw this is a very good thing. anyone that remembers the dot com boom can imagine that the gov is getting behind this and wants it to work.   coins could go up and over the 1000 dollar mark.

[Mondy]

Welcome to the forums!

[chr0npiles]

I wouldn't be surprised at all if banks were already beginning to brief their employees on bitcoin related affairs.  Probably not the lowliest, but I'm sure branch managers have at least made their employees aware of it, especially now that it is appearing more and more in the mainstream media.  I'm sure they've got folks coming in and asking them questions about it, probably thinking you can get it at a bank or more savvy individuals coming into discuss it with their banker before making any moves.

[poewerden]

or more savvy individuals coming into discuss it with their banker before making any moves.

 


Maybe some banks will see oppurtunity to run BTC accounts for their clients if people really keep asking their bank about Bitcoin