Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

It’s 12:35pm and we’ve just arrived back after sitting, clutching our ‘Teller Ticket’ for 40 minutes waiting to withdraw some money from the Credit West Bank only to be turfed out because it was their lunchtime but they used the excuse that the system was down but the fact was their wasn’t enough counter staff for the number of customers waiting to be served.

They then told us to come back at one o’clock so off we go again, touch wood we might get served this time.

It never ceases to amaze me that in this day and age with all the IT at their disposal, there are still banks who stick to this antiquated practice of closing for lunch. Is it really beyond their capability of planning a rota system? To the best of my knowledge all the Turkish banks stay open and suitably manned (I stand corrected if this is not the case, but at least the banks I use do) so why not the local banks? smiley, I hope you availed yourselves of a cup of coffee?

We closed our account with Credit West some time ago over a days delay in them being able to produce 17,000.00 TL as a withdrawal, because they said they did not hold that amount of Lira normally! Thought it strange as a chap two customers in front of us had just deposited 15,000.00 TL in cash. Took our business elsewhere!

Credit west in magosa are revolting i woukd never bank with them had exactly the same situation i waited for an hour to speak to an expat banking member of staff . They new at outset i was english and a big sign said expat banking ! . When it was my time they said sorry lunch now and also nobody could speak english and tocome back after lunch ! I asked would anbody speak english then they said no. I have never been back . I remembernow it wasnt lunch but 20 to twelve ! Expat banking what a joke....

Well, as I've stated in another thread re a synagogue, its a sign of the times that in the Karaoglanoglu Credit West, there are at least 2 or maybe 3 full time Russian speakers. Not necessarily Russian but Ukrainian or from one of the "......stan" countries.

Universal bank dont close for lunch.

Capital bank don't close for lunch either.

sophie wrote:It never ceases to amaze me that in this day and age with all the IT at their disposal, there are still banks who stick to this antiquated practice of closing for lunch. Is it really beyond their capability of planning a rota system? To the best of my knowledge all the Turkish banks stay open and suitably manned (I stand corrected if this is not the case, but at least the banks I use do) so why not the local banks? smiley, I hope you availed yourselves of a cup of coffee?

Credit west were one of the first banks that did not close for lunch but then the staff couldn't have lunch together!, i remember when they changed to shutting at lunch time and all could go out together

As with many successful businesses they get too big for their boots

Archaic and typical of customer services throughout the TRNC. Universal Bank in Catalkoy stay open and have always been more than helpful. The staff are friendly and the manager is always happy to help ex pats and speaks perfect English.

Thats why I stay with them at Universal KAY123 not all singing and dancing just straightforward banking which is all I need.

Yes Universal great been with them for 10yrs no lunch & most of the time straight in and out