To the editor:

Recently, I experienced something I feel is worth passing on to Lawrence residents. I had in my hands a bank check in the amount of $50. I happened to be near downtown Lawrence having lunch, and I noticed a drive-up station for the bank on which the check was drawn. I thought, “What the heck, I’ll cash this check while I’m here.” Bad idea. I kind of understood when the clerk sent me to their main bank because they don’t cash checks at the drive-up window unless you have an account with them.

Her words were, “You have to go into the bank and take care of several other things before they would cash this check, but there is free parking in back.”

I proceeded to the main bank building, signed the check, provided a thumbprint, index-fingerprint and provided the appropriate ID. The clerk asked if I had an account with the bank, and I told her no, but the check was being drawn from an account at the bank. She left for a few moments speaking with another clerk stations over.

When she returned she told me it was their bank’s policy to charge $5 to cash this check, or I could open an account and cash the check with no charge. I said no thanks, I wouldn’t think of using a bank with such a poor policy.

This bank needs to grow up and change such a poor policy.

Richard Ramos,

Lawrence