Editor, RE: “Banking Rwanda’s unbanked; first, bank their minds” (The New Times, December 4). I am also considering quitting. In my view, banks in Rwanda act like thieves; they consider you (customer) as a slave and your money as their property. Really awkward! You can sense that the very moment you step in, look at these contemptuous ladies behind the counters and the tellers, all glass-fenced like wild, dangerous hyena, they see you, talk to you as if you were a subhuman who needs redemption and also an easy dumb who is begging to be ripped off his money. Look at their demeanor, their language, their office settings, the way they give information or how they answer your questions; have a look at their salaries and, most importantly, don’t forget to look at their bank interest rates and the conditions that accompany it; most of them state that “we, the lender reserve the full right to increase the lending rate without seeking the permission of or informing the borrower...” All the troubles begin the moment you open an account with them. They—like an old Mercedes-Benz—milk you until you die. It is very disgusting. Mr. Agutamba, how can they bank the minds of the un-banked if theirs is also not banked in the first place? For me, if it were not for my employer who requires everyone to open a bank account, I would have parted ways with banks long ago. In my opinion, “Banque Lambert” would even thrive better than this oligarchic cartel that we call banks. Sintukamazina
