Keep the Telebanker service, please

I’ve found it convenient, fast and safe .

A single bill payment takes less than a minute from when I start to dial the access number .

The service is free, can be accessed from anywhere and requires only a touch-tone landline or mobile phone (not necessarily “smart”) .

For what I need to do, Telebanker is far more preferable than Republic’s online banking service which requires an Internet connection and the need to start up a computer .

The last time I attempted to use it, I needed to remember 24 passwords .

That meant writing them down which defeated the security passwords are meant to provide .

That may have changed but, at the time, it was too much of a hassle for me .

In any case, Telebanker was faster .

Recently, I received a letter from Republic informing me that Telebanker will be discontinued from October 31 “due to a significant decline in the use of this service and the preference of our customers for Republic online and mobile banking services...” Mobile banking requires a so-called smartphone (the kind that’s making us less smart and more anti-social) and an Internet connection (or data plan) .

I wish to inform the bank that this customer, who is fairly proficient in using a computer, prefers to use Telebanker .

I also speak on behalf of many others (especially older people) who will never own a computer or smartphone, or want to use one .

Our request is for Republic Bank to please reconsider its decision to discontinue its Telebanker service .

NOEL KALICHARAN via emai