CUSTOMERS using Maybank’s ATMs have been greeted by an on-screen message informing them that between 50 sen and RM1 will be charged for withdrawals exceeding four a month from Jan 1. A few years ago, the bank tried to introduce similar charges for using its ATMs but had to withdraw after a public outcry.

ATMs are for the convenience of customers so that the bank can avoid long queues at its counters for people who want to withdraw cash. There is also a security element to it in that we need not carry big amount of cash everywhere we go and risk losing our hard-earned money to snatch thieves who lurk near ATM centres.

The introduction of this pay-per-use scheme defeats the above objectives of the ATMs. So, to avoid incurring this service charge, we have to either withdraw large amounts of cash in single transactions or get back to queuing at its counters at everyone’s cost.

A service charge is introduced when there is a value-added service offered or if there is an additional cost that Maybank wants to pass on to its customers; but in this pay-per-use scheme, we cannot see either the value-added service or the additional cost.

Reputed caring corporations the world over behave differently during the current global economic crisis, where we are still not out of the woods yet. Many such corporations have reviewed their pricing policies and eased the cost burden on customers.

Maybank instead has chosen to tax customers during such times of uncertainty.

Kalaichelvan
Subang Jaya

Source: The Sun – December 30, 2009