I got a great tax refund check yesterday. I wanted to deposit it in the credit union in San Antonio, and Jim said, “Download the app. Every bank has an app.” So I did. I signed the check and took a photo of the front. BONK! “The amount is too large to deposit.” “Call the bank,” said Jim. “Find out what is going on. That is crazy.”
I called the customer service number and listened to music and financial advice as I walked around the house getting steps. Finally a young man whom I will call Daniel answered. “My name is Daniel. How may I help you today?” I explained what had happened, and he tentatively said that the amount one could deposit with the mobile app was based on percentages of…mumble mumble. I asked how much I could deposit, and he hesitated, then asked if he could put me on hold and ask his manager. More music and advice from the credit union.
“Ma’am, it is based on the number of years you have been a member, and if you have automatic deposit, and how much you have in your account.” Hmmm. I explained that I had been a member for about 30 years, that I DID have automatic deposit, and I had enough in savings to cover the check, in case the IRS reneged. “How big was the check?” Daniel asked. I told him what it was.
“Wow! That is a big check,” he said, and I could hear the awe in his voice. “Wow, ma’am. I was thinking your check was for maybe $3000. Our limit is $5000. Wow.” I laughed at his awe, and I could HEAR him smile back. For a few seconds neither of us spoke.
“Well,” I asked, “How do you suggest I handle this, since I can’t deposit it through the app?” Daniel lost his dreamy, awed manner and became the professional again. He told me to mail it, but to use priority mail with the ability to track. “You might want to require a signature, to make sure we have received it. That is a lot of money.” I jotted down his advice, and then said, “I hope you have a beautiful day, Daniel.”
“You, too, ma’am. You have a beautiful day, too. And thank you for your patience.”
I had a beautiful rest of the day. I bet Daniel did, too.
