Why this charge at FCB for pensioners?

On December 1, I visited your Montrose branch; I was running errands with my grandfather, Kenneth Alexander Marcano.

I must say I was impressed with the welcome and the transaction was facilitated with great ease.

My granddad, an 82-year-old pensioner, was offered a seat and then attended to from that seat. I applaud you for that.

Unfortunately, my granddad had gone to request a bank statement and was charged a fee of $25. I find this very unacceptable.

Following are several reasons why this fee should not exist for pensioners: (1) My grandfather and the majority or pensioners are not computer literate and therefore cannot use online banking to access statements and balances on their accounts.

(2) The majority of accounts have service fees. Why isn’t this facility (printed bank statement) covered by that overhead cost? (3) I am certain the three sheets of paper, the ink on the paper and the two minutes your customer service representative took to print this statement didn’t cost $25.

(4) With the rising economic costs and pensioners’ income generally, they don’t have the money to provide for all their needs and definitely not the luxuries of life. Why does a multimillion- dollar — maybe billion-dollar — company think it necessary to take advantage of our elders? Overall, I don’t agree with this charge for any age group (minors, adults or pensioners), but especially for pensioners. Please let me know why First Citizens Bank sees this as a necessary charge.

RHEA MARCANO via email