The Key to Banking in Ajijic, Lake Chapala, Mexico
The trick to banking in Ajijic
I have written before about the challenges of banking in Ajijic, LakeChapala.
Things, however, have come a long way in the 15 years we have lived here. One no longer has to sign over their first born to make a deposit.
Normally, I am now capable of doing all of our corporate and personal banking without incident and with a minimum of bloodshed.
Most of the banks here now have English speaking staff to help the expats complete their transactions and online there is English now available.
The wonderful English speaking person we have, however, is not actually located in the bank but is happy to explain to you how to do what you need to do.
Today I called the person who deals with our accounts who is located in the bank but was told he was away in Mexico City until Wednesday.
I had a rather tricky transaction to complete and, although, thanks to our wonderful English speaking person, I knew what had to be done I was still a little nervous about completing said transaction with the non-English speaking tellers who do actually work in the bank.
I asked my fluent in Spanish, good looking son to accompany me to attempt this rather intricate transaction.
As it turned out everything went very smoothly. The female teller was already smiling broadly before we even got up to the counter and fell all over herself to help him. I, of course, stood to one side and said and did nothing other than to offer my passport when required.
The transaction was completed with dispatch, much cordiality and with smiles all around.
Had I been alone I would still be at the bank trying to explain what I needed done and whatever paperwork or identification I had with me would not be what they required.
So if you have a slightly out the norm situation to deal with at the bank I recommend you take along a good looking young man (or young women) depending upon the sex of the teller in question.
You will return home with everything completed to your satisfaction as opposed to tearing your hair out, having to go back two or three times with the correct papers, and taking the rest of the day trying to lower your blood pressure. This, of course, is just a suggestion.
Judy Wallis