Fun at the bank

As some of you know, in the early 90s, I got into a real mess with the tax people. One side effect was winding up with a bad "report" from my bank to whatever reporting agency banks use. Which meant that I couldn't get a bank account anywhere until it expired from that system (which takes 7 years).

I'd gotten a savings account by opening a joint account with a friend I trusted.

Since I had to sell a bunch of real estate I inherited last year, my taxes this year are a bit on the large side (as in more than I ever *made* in previous years). And due to needing info I hadn't realized I'd need, my accountant (who I know from the local munch :-) is filing for an extension.

So I needed to send money to the IRS and the Oregon state tax people. This was going to be a pain. But it occurred to me that it might have been long enough that the report had aged off the reporting system.

So I dropped by the bank and wound up sitting across from a guy. Pleaser note that I was wearing a baseball cap, a parrothead t-shirt, and jeans.

Me: I'd like to open a checking account.
Him: ok, I need to see two pieces of ID.
Me: I've got a savings account here..
I hand across my driver's license and the ATM card for the savings account

He checks some stuff on the computer.

Him: Ok, you need to open it with at least $50.
Me: I'll be moving $22,000 from my savings account.

He boggled nicely. But he recovered *very* quickly. It was *so* nice seeing someone from a bank trying not to be flustered for once. :-)

The tax checks are in the mail, and I'll be getting the printed checks and a debit card in a week or two.

One odd thing is that *after* we were done with everything, I had to fight a *severe* case of the shakes. Not sure why.