Local or Foreign Bank

I hate to comment about "Indian" mentality.  But on and off I come across people who remind me that.  I am sure everyone of us would have had similar experiences.

Recently I got a call from a well-known private Indian bank.  This is for their NRI product.  The person who called was a Relationship Manager designated by the bank to take care of my accounts.  He was explaining me about a new offer that they have currently and was encouraging me to open an account.  First of all, I was very much impressed with the call.  I was more impressed after coming to know that he is calling from India and that too promptly at the scheduled time (which was late night for him).

Though I was happy with the call, I was not much interested with the account, as I already had a similar account with another bank.  It was one of the Foreign based Indian bank.  I was also somewhat OK with the service I get.  I told this guy about that I politely rejected his offer.  Then it started.  He started comparing the services offered by both banks, but beyond a point he started claiming that the foreign bank will not provide certain service which only his bank will.  I told him that it is not true, as I have already availed of those services which he mentioned.   He went further claiming that it might be one in a million case where the foreign bank provided that service.  He also mentioned that being a "Indian" bank, his bank is more service oriented for NRIs as compared the foreign based Indian bank.  

At this point I got completely pissed off.  The fact is that, the same bank when I tried to open the same account in India, denied me stating that I am not eligible.  After their rejection only I went to the Foreign based Indian bank.  The relationship manager there spoke to me for an hour explaining about the products they have.  Even though I could not open the account with her, due to want of some documents at my end, I was completely satisfied with the service.  It was also easier to open the account after coming to US later, as the bank had a representative right in the city where I live and I could meet him personally.   The account opening as well as the later services offered were a breeze.   I was also pleased with dedicated NRI service centers in India, where I could walk in and get the service.

I was so irritated by the way the Relationship manager talked to me - he was complaining about a Bank which to my knowledge is the first foreign bank to have understood the concept of offshoring and has the largest back office in India.  I really don't understand when these people are going to change.  They not only bring down their value, but also damage the credibility of the bank they represent.

When do these people change?