A Personal Banker: a Very Nice Twenty-Something

I had to open a IRA today for the 2008 tax year and with the markets in turmoil it was recommended that I put it into a CD for 18 months at 2.25% interest. I went to my local bank and spoke with a very nice young man in his 20’s. I didn’t know I had a choice in IRA's-traditional or Roth so we had to call Mike Cooke CPA who was not available.

Off I went to do chores and as I was at the auto shop to get a tune-up, oil change and wheel alignment-pothole heaven-Chicago winter, Mike called and said, “Traditional (not Roth) IRA; 18 months, not 2 years.” Mike hopes I can roll it over into something with more interest paid. So back to Devin and I to discuss the IRA.

I had to walk back to the bank with the car in the shop so it was a good workout on a sunny 45 degree day. We talked of the IRA-I could put in $1000 extra because I am over 65-Devin had to get that clarified. Kept getting a computer error message “over allowed contribution.” Then we talked about his auto accident yesterday-got hit by a car that had run a red light and the up side to taking Vicadin for pain-pain must be limited once you are in the healing process, it is counterproductive.

I asked Devin for a credit check as I wanted to see what a potential landlord would find: No "Catherine Zatsick" for one thing, I am still Catherine Scott, not sure how long it takes for a divorce to catch up with a credit data base, obviously more than 6 months. When I got home, a message from Devin asking that I come back “You left you hat here.” And one from the car dealtership, the car was ready and I was $280 poorer.

The IRA creation process probably took an hour-truly a “personal banker” experience. My blessing for the day. He said that the branch has been busy as customers are moving from the new Chase bank-they bought out the WaMu branch. And no one likes the way Chase treats them as customers. I thought "Hmm when you are one of the nations five remaining bigees" I guess that is how you can be.