Unfortunately I had to open an account with Kotak Bank as I got carried away with their credit card and free multi Bank ATM usage.
Guess what I still have to receive my Banking kit :), it’s almost 20 days from the day I signed the account opening form.
My initial interaction with Kotak executives at Lower Parel Branch was a horrifying one. I spoke to Urvashi/uttara (I don’t remember the name) and explained that since I already poses a Kotak credit card, do I need any extra documents to open a Kotak Mahindra Bank account. She immediately replied saying " No Sir, Since you already have a CRN# with us, all you need to do is drop at any of our branches and fill in the account opening form"
I somehow managed to drop into their Lower Parel branch and was introduced to their Customer Relationship officer (Deepali) who gave me a shock by letting me know that I have to submit all the possible proof’s of me being an Indian to me employed with a reputed firm. I tried to explain her that her colleague gave me an information 15 min back that I don’t need to carry any documents and now I’m suppose to submit everything in spite of being a Kotak Customer. As usual she didn’t have any answer and got it verified from her senior who also forced on the document part.
Within a day I was ready with all the documents and the same were collected by Kotak peon. I also gave them a cheque of Rs.20000/- as per the rules of opening an account.
Finally, after 10 days Kotak executive called me frantically saying the ATM Kit had returned back to the Bank. I agreed to collect it from the Bank, but they decided to drop into my office and hand it over to me personally. I was impressed.
But this didn’t last for much time as I had to send my peon to their Bank along with his ID proof which made no sense because he returned back with Kotak peon who finally had to take my signature on the Kit.
The story doesn’t end here, when I opened the long awaited Kit, I was surprised to see only a Cheque book inside the envelope which took 1/2 of my day and plenty of drama in getting the signatures. I called up Kotak again and was as usual surprised to know that they were not aware of the Debit Card being not issued to me.
Today its 20 days and I’m still without a Debit Card/Internet Banking credentials and whatever that Kit had to have. Now I understand why they call themselves as the best employer of the year, because they don’t know about the people they employee are unable to do justice to their customers.