Safe Deposit Box Access - Industry Best Practice

Question:

When granting access to a safe deposit box, bank policy requires use of a private coupon room, but many customers want to access their boxes quickly, in the vault itself. Is there an industry best practice, either for or against, granting access to a safe deposit box while inside the vault?

Answer:

The industry best practice is the one you are seeking to dilute. All transactions should take place in the privacy and security of the coupon booth. Some banks enforce the policy by a simple operational practice, where their employee withdraws the tin from the receptacle and is told not to set it down until he or she reaches the coupon booth.

First published on BankersOnline.com 3/15/10