Came across the feedback on SBI and thought I will contribute whatever I could.
When I first came across SBI I did not know it stood for Stoned Bank of India. (Stoned in the sense of someone who has had weed).
I visited India in the summer of 2003. Not a very pleasent experience since I fell sick for 75% of my stay there but I did end up eating mango’s (Alfonso) for the first time in 8 years.
I had taken some USD with me since no one accepts Canadian Dollars in India (I am sure they do but they are not aware of the rules).
I used to have a NRI account in State Bank of India Main Deccan Branch in Pune. Accordingly I thought I should take my business to them (boy was I mistaken here).
Also there was something wrong with my account and they were withdrawing money at regular intervals to cover some cheques being sent to me (I had not requested the cheques neither did they ever arrive).
Anyways I go their branch and am told to go to the second floor to the NRI section. The moment I stepped in that hot atmosphere I had a feeling I should have gone to HDFC or ICICI where at least there were some fans and also A/C in most cases. But then a thought came to mind - its only a Qs of 10 minutes. Why bother ?
I sat down in front of a lady who really looked and sounded like she was a prisoner forced to work there. Also she seemed to be genuinely more interested in the ’’Dabba’’ or lunch box of her colleague than in my business.
I told her I wanted to exchange some USD into Rs. and deposit the same into my account. Amazingly they did not have the exchange rate for USD to Rs. I checked the watch and it was 11:30 am. Damn !!! Seems the exchange rate may come ANY time.
Just deposit the damn money and give me some change. She came out with a long form and told me I have to write down the number on each and every bill .. . what the fxxx . . . .. thats insane .. . this then gets verified by 3 people . .
all in all .. took me 2 1/2 hours to get out of that hell hole. I wanted to update my passbook and was told that I had to do it at the computerized machine downstairs.
Finally !!!! . .. Singns of modernization and some technology. But again . .. I ASSUME(d). which translates into .. ASSofUandME . . .
I went downstairs and there was a line of around 25-30 people who were standing in line to reach the lady who was operating the computerized machine. * ouch
Needless to say I left w.o updating my passboook.
A couple of days after this I went to HDFC and I got currency changed into Rupee’s within 10 minutes. What a world of difference in the service and efficiency. Amazing.
The rate given for the xchange by HDFC was higher than SBI
SBI does seem to be making an attempt to attract NRI’s. They have opened a branch on Senapati Bapat Road in Pune. Targeted towards NRI. I got scared when the guard came up to me and asked me if I wanted coke. Damn . ..
Hopefully with the increased competition things will change. But somehow I have the feeling that .. once stoned .. always stoned will hold true in this case.
Cheers !!!
The Friendly Vulcan
Spock