Zuhair Kutbi Okaz newspaper We consumers suffer from the complicated bureaucratic procedures of Saudi banks and their constant requests for customers to update their information before their bank accounts are frozen. What is really strange is that banks have added conditions for the renewal of power of attorneys every two years. They ask you to renew them despite the fact that notary publics have included a clear sentence at the bottom of each power of attorney certifying that the documents remain valid unless canceled or revoked by the issuer. Many people who have sons or daughters studying abroad suffer from this dilemma. A parent may ask his son or daughter abroad to go to the Saudi mission and get a power of attorney at the request of a local bank. The Saudi mission might not be in the same city where the student lives. In this case, the student has to travel a great distance on his time and money. I would like to ask the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) this question: Is there a solution to these unwarranted bank procedures? Why do local banks insist on processing papers through manual methods; such methods delay processing of transactions and affect quality of service. In the United Kingdom and United States, banks use automated services. Rents are deducted directly and automatically from accounts. A bank customer may ask the bank to deduct utility bills, cable fees, etc from his account. The customer rarely has to show up at the bank. Why do our banks not have automated services to ease the pressure on their staff and save customers the trouble of going to the bank or an ATM to pay such fees? Such a step will not only save time but also reduce traffic congestion and save fuel. Local banks should reconsider the suspension of bank accounts of Saudi students studying abroad. We should not disrupt students' sources of funds. I hope that the SAMA will look into all obstacles facing our sons and daughters abroad. I would like to add that I have received many complaints from bank employees on the pressure to work from the morning to afternoon nonstop as if they were machines. They claim that the management does not respect them nor care about their social circumstances. Banks just want their employees to work hard so that the can make more and more money.
