January 12, 2017 - Banking

January 12, 2017 - Banking

After running all over town, it was right in front of me.  Let me describe my banking ordeal.  I was running low on dollars to change into Bolivianos.  When I lived in Bolivia in the 80s, I would walk to the Central Plaza and write a check at the casa de cambio (money exchange).  So a few days after getting situated in my new home, my plan was to learn how it’s done a quarter of a century later.

A few days before, when I changed some money, I asked the money changers on the corner where was the best place to get cash from a check.  I was told the Casa Aleman.  I went with check and my passport in hand, only to be told they couldn’t do it.  They sent me to the Banco Ganadero around the corner.

The Banco Ganadero was nice and cool, air conditioned.  In the bank, you first must get a ticket.  Then you wait until a monitor shows your number and which teller to speak to.  Mine was called quickly.  The lady was counting thousands of Bolivianos, so she really wasn’t ready for me.  Finally, I could explain my situation.  She said, “Yes, we can do it.”  But she needed to go ask how.  Five minutes later she said she can’t cash a check from out of Bolivia.  But she suggested I check with the Banco Bisi down the road.

So I went to the Banco Bisi and was told the same story.  And then I tried at the Banco Fassil.  They were more helpful.  They said they were just a small branch, but their main office on the other side of town, could help me.  They were also helpful enough to write down directions to the main bank. 

I realized I was running low on cash and needed to change something from dollars.  I have usually used the corner money changers, but today I learned something and will never, ever go back to them.  So here is what happened.  The man showed me the exchange and started counting it out.  I was just changing $100, so I should get 692 Bs. back. He first handed me 500 and let me count it.  I said it was correct.  He took it back and recounted it and gave me the additional 192 in smaller bills.  I then hoped into a taxi to take me to the bank.  Do you see what he did?  When he counted the 500 and gave them back to me, he took out 100.  He stole about $15 dollars from me.  Lesson learned.

The main bank really was on the opposite side of the city from me; a long taxi ride during a busy part of the day.  I was treated well there and sent to a second-floor office, only to be told that I could not cash my check anywhere in Bolivia.  He said I could go to every bank in town and I would not get a check cashed.

I felt like I was stuck.  How would I have money here?

After lunch and a rest, I took my debit card and went looking for an ATM.  There is one next door, literally next door.  I put in my card, had the choice of English, put in my PIN, and presto, I had cash.

And that was less than five minutes from my door.

Lessons learned.

Link to My Author Page