These days, banks are obsessed with size and quantity though this may not be a smart policy to adhere to in the long term. What we need are efficiency and quality, the two cornerstones of any successful business.

They are also very crucial to banks as banks are the stepping stones for successful businesses and a necessary 'evil' for all of us.

I believe that our banks are already on sound footing as far as their financials are concerned. Maybe their internal procedures are still being taken up with too much paper pushing exercises that render the banks 'impotent' to introduce bold new initiatives.

One major sore point that I have with local banks is their inability to provide seamless services throughout their system. I cannot bank in Bank A cheques into Bank B to credit my Bank A account. If one think this is not possible, just go and study how the UK banks do it and extremely well too.

This also cuts down on the need to have too many branches and in remote places with banks entering into agreements to serve each other customers as their 'own'.

Banks have the right to make money but this must be done with the intention of improving services to customers. Rules and regulations must be always improved upon. For example, I was told by a bank that I cannot request for replacement credit card via their secured online service (after password entry and all) but instead would have to personally call them.

What sort of practice is it when I can transfer RM20,000 online but cannot request for a replacement credit card?

Banks are also still requiring too many forms to be filled by existing customers (perhaps they are trying to outdo our civil service!). Once a customer is already with a bank, any other service should be via a simple letter or phone call. The need to fill up forms all over again is silly.

Banks should work on facilitating life with simpler and more soothing services. Right now, they concentrate too much on corporate accounts but neglect personal account holders although we are the bread and butter for any bank.

Don't just think big. Please also think of quality and service.