BANKING COINCIDENCES
by Derek Horner
(Derek recalls some amazing coincidences experienced during his banking
career
which was split between two locations: Birmingham and the USA.)
In my adopted city of St Augustine, Florida, USA, there is a tourist attraction called "Ripley's Believe It or Not". Well, I have
"Banking Believe It or Not" experiences to share.
I was working the desk at Chelmsley Wood branch when a customer came in to
purchase Travellers Cheques. "Going anywhere nice?" I enquired. "Yes", he said, "four of us are off to the USA to visit Gracelands
and then on to Disney World in Florida.
I mentioned that I too was off to the US to visit friends in Baltimore, Maryland. As
it so happened, during our month's stay in Baltimore our hosts suggested a trip to Disney World.
Finally, booked into our hotel
in Florida, we purchased tickets for Disney World and the famous parade of cartoon characters. As we stood in line watching the parade,
whom should I stand next to? Yes, the Bank customers who purchased the Travellers Cheques! At first, they did not recognise me in
shorts! My hosts from Baltimore were astonished to learn of my rubbing shoulders with Bank customers from 3,000 miles away!
My
next "Believe It or Not" experience was when I made a trip home with my family to visit Windsor Castle. At that time, I was working
for a bank in Baltimore and my Area Manager's Secretary had said she too was off with her husband to visit the UK.
Well, guess
what! Standing for the light on a controlled pedestrian crossing to change outside Windsor Castle stood my banking colleague from
Baltimore! We exchanged introductions and for this "Believe It or Not" I actually preserved it on film.
Finally, when I was appointed
to manage a branch in the inner city area of Baltimore, a customer came in and I instantly recognised the accent. "Where are
you from?", I enquired. "Northfield" came the reply, "and I work for a mortgage company close by". I mentioned that my uncle and aunt
live in such-and-such road, Mr and Mrs Martin, and he replied - "Yes, they were my neighbours, knew them well, say 'Hello' for me!"
Coincidences
that have lived long in my life's experiences.