Filed under: General, Survival in Jamaica — xhanubis @ 5:05 am

1. Service

These guys take service to the next level. None of that “a suh Jamaica run” crap. Its so refreshing to find a bank that actually let you feel that you are more than a walking wallet, JMMB gets customer service right.

2. Speed

I can actually go in and out in under 15mins at almost any time of the day! Try that with Scotia or NCB where the average wait is measured in Hours. My last NCB wait was 2 1/2 hours, SCOTIA 1 hour 20 minutes.

3. Checking Account Capabilities

I can get a check issued in the name of anyone, my landlord, friend or family and they can pick it up directly from JMMB so I can pay individuals even when I am out of the island. Furthermore if I request the check online its free.

4. Insurance

I am a freelancer so I don’t get company medical, for the price of a night or two at Quad JMMB provides me with bluecross coverage.

5. Competitive Interest Rates

9.9 % at the time of posting on my savings account.

6. No Reference to Open Account

No stupid references needed to give them my money, nothing annoys me more than being asked for reference to give some one my business…shouldn’t it be the other way around?

There you have it, my six reasons for using JMMB rather than a commercial bank like NCB or Scotia.

Filed under: General, Jamaican Third World Moments, Life in Jamaica — xhanubis @ 10:06 pm

I had the unfortunate luck to witness a case of domestic violence at my apt. When the lady (who getting the licks) started to scream “murder” and “help call police”, I felt obligated to be an “informer” and call the police by dialing 911.

911 does not connect or seem to connect to anywhere, the phone ring for a while then just went dead for the first six or so attempts, before I finally got someone. On speaking to the lady, I got to understand that she was not in contact with the squad cars on the road, but she after taking my call would then have to call the nearest police station.

Having Played chinese telephone as a child I hung up and called the police station directly and got the police in about five minutes.

SUGGESTIONS

1. Keep the direct line to the two or three closest police stations to your home or business establishment. Call them directly rather than waste time with 911.

2. If you know an officer personal keep his mobile number close at hand.

SOLUTION

That the police cars be equipped with radios and 911 be the base of operations to monitor and dispatch officers on the road where they are needed most.

If they need help to institute this system call in the Taxi operators as consultants, as city guide usually gets me a cab wherever I am in “less than five minutes”.