A free verse poem summarising the common theme of leaving a banking relationship...
Recently, a banker blamed me as the reason he lost his client. He intimated that I had wrecked his client/banking relationships. Feeling unjust, yet empathising his anguish, I suggested to him that he should really learn to better understand why his client wanted to leave his bank. Nevertheless, many clients do find it diffcult to give direct honest feedback. It is like the Chinese saying, “Save face”.
This is where I add value – an external conduit can always see the situation more clearly and can often solve the problem swiftly whilst saving everyone’s face. I advocate working with the existing relationship bank to improve efficiency. Whilst I usually managed to achieve a win-win for both sides, there were occasions that the existing bank was just so recalcitrant that the client instructed a total refinancing.
Among many reasons companies elect to refinance, I see a common theme of certain dissatisfaction. Inspired by my young daughter, who recently discovered the joy of poetry, I thought I would give it a go and compose a free verse poem, summarising the common theme of leaving a banking relationship.
Why am I leaving you…
The banker fired at his client, “WHY are you leaving me?”
“WE have been such great bank alongside thee”
“What did WE do wrong?”, “What did WE say wrong?”
So please allow yours truly to tell on.
You said you love our business,
Oh, very much admire our greatness
You vowed to partner us on
But, at the eleventh hour, you would always come up with something not on.
You wanted more fee and then more security
But we are not even close to breaching a single treaty
Then you said our greatest growth is too quick
You can’t keep up with our mighty kick
You demand we meet endless rules
And you want us to put in more financial tools.
Your actions have left us so disbelieving
So, why the surprise that we are leaving?
Banks, banks, banks,
Next time you wonder why clients leave you in the lee
Maybe you should ponder your self-professed glee.