Only problem is now that I have that expectation I've received 2 receipts at different locations in the past week. I'm assuming that perhaps the locations are not "stores" as they were in highway travel plazas. However, where more important to deliver the brand than a location where thousands of main street Americans may test drive the brand during a road trip - just like airports? In both cases I mentioned the blog and the idea in action and the barista didn't seem to know about the blog nor the supposed new policy on receipts. Expectation turned to disappointment.

Three weeks ago a Starbucks in our local Target location was missing "Starbucks" staff so a Target staff member was desperately trying to help. Twenty minute wait later (crazy! - one of those the longer you wait the more you're committed to seeing it through even though it makes no sense) and she couldn't make the Frappuccino my wife wanted. Clearly she didn't get the training the stores closed for earlier this year! 

Oh, and does it seem to you that the Starbucks blog is extremely slow? Some inherent structural problems? Also, tried to conduct a search, even for the word "coffee" and got a "There are no matching: Notes". Could be the harder Starbucks tries, and the more they promise, they more they may be disappointing customers if they fail to deliver on the promises. Maybe better to under promise and surprise on the delivery?

You even pay for the privilege to use the banks' websites! It's similar to the old oligopoly in Canadian banking only appears to be even worse for consumers in South Africa. Just of the heck of it, entertain yourself for 5 minutes to make sense out ABSA's pricing options (internet fees detailed on page 47 of 61) compared to that of FNB's 2008 pricing guide! If you work for a bank it may just inspire you with a range of ideas for charges you never believed consumers would actually agree to pay.

But despite the heavy handedness with fees, the South African banks do have some of the most innovative banking technology in place for consumers. Mobile banking is old hat. You can make near instant bank to bank transfers with no need to wait 1-3 days. For security you can get a temporary additional PIN sent via SMS to you and much more.

Now ING in the Netherlands launched a service called "Live where you want" that works the other way around - similar to those letters I used to receive from Realtors. If you can read Dutch, check it out over here: www.woonwaaruwilt.nl If you can’t read Dutch, this description will help a lot: http://www.springwise.com/homes_housing/bank_helps_clients_buy_homes_t/  A buyer can use the service to make an offer to buy a house from a property owner who does not have their property listed for sale.

Do you think there's a market to be created this way, an economy in matching people with an intent on buying or intent of selling at the right price? It could be a winner in a few specific property markets or certain high end segments. However, unless the property market is seriously restricted the majority of buyers will probably want to get a good deal and not pay an exorbitant premium to buy a home from a reluctant ‘seller’.

I was amazed recently speaking with representatives from a company who is planning on launching a new company with real estate agents doing business the old way. In their opinion no more than maybe 2% of buyers will ever skip working with an agent and use web technology to find and conclude a real estate purchase. Gee, don’t know how many people sell their homes without at least a seller’s agent but counting the “For sale by owner” boards in our neighborhood it seems to be increasing in popularity.

I’ve rented an apartment over the internet, sight unseen, and recently purchased a vehicle on eBay. A friend purchased a $400K+ home over the internet without ever seeing it other than 360 video. No, that is not the average consumer, but plenty of people today are booking their own travel, buying stocks without a broker and trading happily on auction websites.

The week prior I presented at a lunch seminar for the Philadelphia Direct Marketing Association on brand building and direct marketing. Thanks to the large crowd and especially for your generous 4.8 out of 5 rating of my presentation!

One more comment on the Online Innovations conference. A credit union doing a very interesting job with a blog is Verity. It's the first time their blog has come to my attention and Shari Storm shared great information on their experiences of using the blog in the community and even how the blog is resulting in new members. Wow! Some great best practices to take a look at.

So soon we'll see Wachovia breaking a new advertising program for their Way2Save "savings account". The spokesperson says they will make it "fun" for consumers although I miss where the fun part comes in. Similar to credit card rewards, the "fun" is primarily in shopping and then getting a small cut back from those funds.

The program seems quite rich (for first 3 years), paying $1 per debit card transaction or online bill pay, plus additional levels of complexity in limited transfers, changing interest rates and bonus payments. If you assumed no bank fees incurred with Wachovia, by my quick comparison calculations (per month 15 check card transactions, 3 bill pays, no additional deposits vs. 3.15% APY at ING DIRECT) you would need approximately $7,500 in an ING DIRECT Electric Orange account to earn more in interest a year than through your free Wachovia checking account linked up to Way2Save. Naturally there are additional comparisons in terms of ease, functionality, fees, etc. (Instead of using a debit card but a credit card with 1% cash back and paid your bill in full, the avg. balance you would need would be even lower).

Since you are limited to no more than $100 a month in additional deposits, and the account is opened with a $0 balance it really seems to be more of a checking account/check card rewards/cash back program than a "savings account". At the end of 3 years it converts to a regular savings accounts. So a great way to build habit and lock in customers into the use of their checking account. 

For those who already have a checking account with Wachovia and not willing to shop around for a better deal, seems like a no brainer to add this account. Curious to see the advertising! You have to open the account in a branch. A bummer for those who prefer to do their banking online. Let's see how this compares to the success of Bank of America's Keep the Change program. A pity that it takes so much complexity in banking to make something "fun". But hey, anything that will help people save, is a good thing.

I'm not a banker, but for now masquerading as one. Entrepreneur, creative person, technology lover, business strategist, writer, brand evangelist or something like that. Expect that my blog entries and rantings will wander. If you don't like it, don't read or subscribe.

<The below as been edited from the original post. The snappy explanation as to the origins of this blog's name has also been removed since it identified my employer. So sorry, you'll just have to wonder why it is called "banker with balls".>

Oh, and this then gets us to the disclosure part. My name is Jurie Pieterse and I work in marketing at a bank. So with that, any opinions are mine and not those of my employer. This is a personal blog.