 | | | 
13.01.2021, 12:04
| Forum Legend | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Zurich
Posts: 4,543
Groaned at 152 Times in 98 Posts
Thanked 7,487 Times in 2,558 Posts
| | Re: UBS branch office closures | Quote: | |  | | | Well yes- I am an old biddie- and I do not want our small towns and villages to lose their POs, banks, local shops, butcher's, baker's, pharmacies, and for everything to be bought on line. Ghost towns, dormitory villages without souls- and older people left bereft in isolation. | | | | | I wrote my bachelor thesis on the feasibility of an online banking device and corresponding service geared towards people who are currently banking exclusively offline either due to their generation, lack of technical expertise or fear of using such tools. Banks have been closing branches at a rate of knots for over a decade now. Many people now get neighbours or family members to help them with online banking but this leaves them vulnerable to the less honest elements of society as well as them not being available to help when needed. Furthermore, if someone who is not internet savvy suddenly gets online to do banking, they are easy targets for scammers, malware and other nasty goings on.
| The following 4 users would like to thank Kittster for this useful post: | | 
13.01.2021, 12:23
|  | Forum Veteran | | Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Suhr, Aargau
Posts: 1,755
Groaned at 21 Times in 21 Posts
Thanked 2,286 Times in 1,080 Posts
| | Re: UBS branch office closures | Quote: | |  | | | I wrote my bachelor thesis on the feasibility of an online banking device and corresponding service geared towards people who are currently banking exclusively offline either due to their generation, lack of technical expertise or fear of using such tools. Banks have been closing branches at a rate of knots for over a decade now. Many people now get neighbours or family members to help them with online banking but this leaves them vulnerable to the less honest elements of society as well as them not being available to help when needed. Furthermore, if someone who is not internet savvy suddenly gets online to do banking, they are easy targets for scammers, malware and other nasty goings on. | | | | | Indeed, computer illiteracy is big problem. Just because people is able to unblock a phone with the face it doesn't mean people knows how hardware and software works. Most of these people is a walking disaster waiting to happen: from classic fraud to I did not read the T&Cs carefully enough.
The idea that screens are bad for some reason doesn't help. So far, I've only seen public policy in France against illectronisme, can be translated to computer illiteracy. Meanwhile, popular culture fears computers and idealizes a life without them instead of thinking about the need to master them.
| 
13.01.2021, 13:19
| Forum Legend | | Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Zurich
Posts: 4,543
Groaned at 152 Times in 98 Posts
Thanked 7,487 Times in 2,558 Posts
| | Re: UBS branch office closures | Quote: | |  | | | Indeed, computer illiteracy is big problem. Just because people is able to unblock a phone with the face it doesn't mean people knows how hardware and software works. Most of these people is a walking disaster waiting to happen: from classic fraud to I did not read the T&Cs carefully enough.
The idea that screens are bad for some reason doesn't help. So far, I've only seen public policy in France against illectronisme, can be translated to computer illiteracy. Meanwhile, popular culture fears computers and idealizes a life without them instead of thinking about the need to master them. | | | | | I actually consulted with an "Ethical Hacker" (he gets paid to try and breach systems) to understand what the best security options would be. When I mentioned my concept to someone at the Mousetrap, they were very interested but conceded that I should have pitched my idea to banks a few years ago as they currently have the attitude that people who may need such a concept are dying out anyway and it's not worth pursuing. However, there are plenty of young people who struggle with this and who may not have sufficient knowledge to stay safe.
| This user would like to thank Kittster for this useful post: | | 
13.01.2021, 13:50
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Zurich
Posts: 10,877
Groaned at 229 Times in 193 Posts
Thanked 22,703 Times in 9,635 Posts
| | Re: UBS branch office closures | Quote: | |  | | | I wrote my bachelor thesis on the feasibility of an online banking device and corresponding service geared towards people who are currently banking exclusively offline either due to their generation, lack of technical expertise or fear of using such tools. Banks have been closing branches at a rate of knots for over a decade now. Many people now get neighbours or family members to help them with online banking but this leaves them vulnerable to the less honest elements of society as well as them not being available to help when needed. Furthermore, if someone who is not internet savvy suddenly gets online to do banking, they are easy targets for scammers, malware and other nasty goings on. | | | | | My Dad was a computer specialist in his youth. He did Fortran on punch cards and all that and knew the ins and outs of computers before most people even knew what a computer was. He programmed and ran simulations on how the next generation of computers were going to work, and there is even a method named after him. He was also using email at a time that there were only a couple of thousand email users in the world and was regularly invited by commissions and other such bodies to advise on the future of computers and on potential uses and feasibility. So he was pretty much at the cutting edge of it all for most of his life.
Now he's 82 and he struggles with online banking stuff and prefers to stay away from it. Computers today are just too different from the computers he knows about.
So f it happened to him it could happen to any of us.
| The following 6 users would like to thank amogles for this useful post: | | 
13.01.2021, 14:09
| Forum Veteran | | Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Zurich
Posts: 1,230
Groaned at 107 Times in 64 Posts
Thanked 2,055 Times in 685 Posts
| | Re: UBS branch office closures | Quote: | |  | | | Indeed, computer illiteracy is big problem. Just because people is able to unblock a phone with the face it doesn't mean people knows how hardware and software works. Most of these people is a walking disaster waiting to happen: from classic fraud to I did not read the T&Cs carefully enough.
The idea that screens are bad for some reason doesn't help. So far, I've only seen public policy in France against illectronisme, can be translated to computer illiteracy. Meanwhile, popular culture fears computers and idealizes a life without them instead of thinking about the need to master them. | | | | |
I don't actually want to be computer literate or master any software. I have other things to do. If I can write and communicate, use my smart phone for messages and so on I'm perfectly happy. I'm a happy 82 year-old man anyway, don't need to master screens of any kind. My main telephone calls are made with my fixline and not being able to see the person I am talking to doesn't worry me at all.
My rent, all bills, and all financial transactions I do with 'Einzahlungsscheine' and cash. When I book a holiday I go to the local travel agent and pay cash. Cash which I withdraw from the bank and stand in a queue for. I never have outstanding debts and know at any moment just how my accounts stand.
Were I to drive into town and have to pay a parking space with my phone I'd be lost. So I use public transport and pay the train or bus ticket with cash.
As far as I can see I am at no disadvantage to, for instance, my sons who click away merrily at all possible times. But they have higher costs.
The advantage is that I didn't have to pay for an expensive phone device and don't have a monthly bill of XX(X)SFr..coming in because of clicking at all possible requests. My TV and internet connections exclude my smart phone which I have on Migros Budget - but 'what's app' is free, so no costs here. Paying per Einzahlungsscheine and cash saves me a lot of money per year, I pay Fr 5. per month for PostFinance. I've had a small 'handy' for years to take with me outside and in the car so everything is under control.
As things progress in the banking world and the path for me gets narrower I'll find a way.
| The following 5 users would like to thank Busby for this useful post: | | 
13.01.2021, 15:46
| Senior Member | | Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Suisse Romande
Posts: 496
Groaned at 2 Times in 2 Posts
Thanked 111 Times in 89 Posts
| | Re: UBS branch office closures
The irony is, the more they close, the more difficult they become to get to and the more footfall they lose. One of the reasons I'm considering moving bank is that there are no branches convenient to me. I might make more visits if there were  Sometimes it's just good to do things in person.
| This user would like to thank eireann for this useful post: | | 
13.01.2021, 22:11
|  | Senior Member | | Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Bern
Posts: 384
Groaned at 4 Times in 4 Posts
Thanked 367 Times in 203 Posts
| | Re: UBS branch office closures | Quote: | |  | | | | | | | | | Quote: |  | | | y cómo éstos, muchos de avanzada edad, se dirigen a ellos como si fueran de la familia, con una confianza enternecedora, seguros de que están recibiendo las mejores explicaciones y consejos posibles de aquellos a quienes confían sus ahorros, inquietudes y esperanzas. | | | | | As if!
Just take a look at the great 3a pillar advice people get in Switzerland when they talk to vendors instead of reading up on their own about their options.
Or the old people who went in for the banca etruria bs in Italy. Suggested by their trusted branch consultant of course. | Quote: |  | | | Atados a una madeja de contraseñas, toques en móviles, aplicaciones que convierten en un calvario lo que antes se solventaba en una sucursal mediante un rato de espera, un papel y una firma, obligados a moverse por un mundo virtual que ni conocen ni les interesa conocer, millones de abuelos, y no tan abuelos, miran hoy desconcertados la pantalla de un teléfono móvil con las siglas de un banco a cuyos accionistas, gerentes y técnicos, ajenos a la realidad inmediata de la vida, les importan literalmente un carajo. Y que, para más recochineo, te tutean en sus comunicaciones en plan compadre y oye, chaval, como si alguna vez hubieseis tomado copas juntos. | | | | | There it is, he's just a romantic luddite with a splash of red paint.
First he says bankers are there to help people and then says they don't care at all about the people. So which is it?
| This user would like to thank Murloc for this useful post: | | 
14.01.2021, 01:15
| Newbie | | Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Zurich
Posts: 9
Groaned at 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanked 8 Times in 4 Posts
| | Re: UBS branch office closures | Quote: | |  | | | As if!
Just take a look at the great 3a pillar advice people get in Switzerland when they talk to vendors instead of reading up on their own about their options.
Or the old people who went in for the banca etruria bs in Italy. Suggested by their trusted branch consultant of course.
There it is, he's just a romantic luddite with a splash of red paint.
First he says bankers are there to help people and then says they don't care at all about the people. So which is it? | | | | | Those who are in the trenches may work in bank but they are not "bankers".
Like on this thread, they also might be victims.
| 
14.01.2021, 01:36
| Forum Veteran | | Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: Frick, Aargau
Posts: 1,221
Groaned at 28 Times in 24 Posts
Thanked 1,652 Times in 854 Posts
| | Re: UBS branch office closures | Quote: | |  | | | I don't actually want to be computer literate or master any software. I have other things to do. If I can write and communicate, use my smart phone for messages and so on I'm perfectly happy. I'm a happy 82 year-old man anyway, don't need to master screens of any kind. My main telephone calls are made with my fixline and not being able to see the person I am talking to doesn't worry me at all.
My rent, all bills, and all financial transactions I do with 'Einzahlungsscheine' and cash. When I book a holiday I go to the local travel agent and pay cash. Cash which I withdraw from the bank and stand in a queue for. I never have outstanding debts and know at any moment just how my accounts stand.
Were I to drive into town and have to pay a parking space with my phone I'd be lost. So I use public transport and pay the train or bus ticket with cash.
As far as I can see I am at no disadvantage to, for instance, my sons who click away merrily at all possible times. But they have higher costs.
The advantage is that I didn't have to pay for an expensive phone device and don't have a monthly bill of XX(X)SFr..coming in because of clicking at all possible requests. My TV and internet connections exclude my smart phone which I have on Migros Budget - but 'what's app' is free, so no costs here. Paying per Einzahlungsscheine and cash saves me a lot of money per year, I pay Fr 5. per month for PostFinance. I've had a small 'handy' for years to take with me outside and in the car so everything is under control.
As things progress in the banking world and the path for me gets narrower I'll find a way. | | | | | My mums dad who sadly passed away recently was only a little older than you and when we tried to get him on the computer we found him waving the mouse in the air infront of the screen (after being taught how it works). I left him with only two icons - email and internet but sadly it was too much. He was the more tech savvy of my grandfathers - the other couldn't use a cash point!
Tbh writing on a forum - you must be in the top 1% of octogenarians. If you can manage this I'm sure most apps would be doable for you.
| The following 3 users would like to thank HickvonFrick for this useful post: | | 
14.01.2021, 12:05
|  | Forum Veteran | | Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Suhr, Aargau
Posts: 1,755
Groaned at 21 Times in 21 Posts
Thanked 2,286 Times in 1,080 Posts
| | Re: UBS branch office closures | Quote: | |  | | | I actually consulted with an "Ethical Hacker" (he gets paid to try and breach systems) to understand what the best security options would be. When I mentioned my concept to someone at the Mousetrap, they were very interested but conceded that I should have pitched my idea to banks a few years ago as they currently have the attitude that people who may need such a concept are dying out anyway and it's not worth pursuing. However, there are plenty of young people who struggle with this and who may not have sufficient knowledge to stay safe. | | | | | Very interesting perspective. Indeed, when you talk about not being able to use internet safely....everyone pictures in their minds a pensioner, while young people may have the same challenges.
And as amogles talked about his dad, between proficient and to how to use that sh*t is just a matter of time. So, don't take anything for granted.
| 
14.01.2021, 12:42
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: May 2008 Location: Kt. Zürich
Posts: 9,753
Groaned at 430 Times in 371 Posts
Thanked 17,873 Times in 9,531 Posts
| | Re: UBS branch office closures | Quote: | |  | | | My Dad was a computer specialist in his youth. He did Fortran on punch cards and all that and knew the ins and outs of computers before most people even knew what a computer was. He programmed and ran simulations on how the next generation of computers were going to work, and there is even a method named after him. He was also using email at a time that there were only a couple of thousand email users in the world and was regularly invited by commissions and other such bodies to advise on the future of computers and on potential uses and feasibility. So he was pretty much at the cutting edge of it all for most of his life.
Now he's 82 and he struggles with online banking stuff and prefers to stay away from it. Computers today are just too different from the computers he knows about.
So f it happened to him it could happen to any of us. | | | | | I did Fortran and punched cards too, also Cobol and Algol.
I too find modern systems rather difficult, I taught myself HTML, SQL and CSS for my website but I do struggle with understanding and coding php - Javascript is a step too far.
I am OK with online banking but four years younger than your dad which helps.
Back to topic, the UBS branches near to me stopped handling cash a long time ago so without cash needs why would you go to a branch anyway?
| The following 3 users would like to thank marton for this useful post: | |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | | Thread Tools | | Display Modes | Linear Mode |
Posting Rules
| You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | All times are GMT +2. The time now is 17:44. | |