I don't think the experience of the op is exclusive to Perm. / TSB. CCOVICH hit the nail on the head and I would further suggest that the set up in the mainstream banks is to actively discourage you from going in there but rather to encourage you to use the facilities as mentioned by CCOVICH. Thanks to internet banking I haven't had to visit my local AIB branch, where I do most of my personal banking, since July 2004. Unfortunately I did have to visit my local post office the other day and what an abominable place it still is - it stunk to the extent that you could be forgiven for thinking you were in the Rhino enclosure in the zoo, the hatches were manned by indifferent , shoddily dressed staff, the place was littered with dockets , used scratch cards and the like and there were no pens in the pen holders - come to think of it many post offices are similar and while I'm at it I'll throw in the passport office and motor tax offices as being equally dreadful places though thankfully I haven't had to visit either of those that often in recent years.