Henry adjusts his collared shirt. He notices some creases on his pants and irons them with his hands. He adjusts his glasses and look up to the two glass doors of the two level building. The sun’s rays deflect from the glass doors to his receptacles, slightly blinding his view. He wipes off his sweat and utters the words “I can do this” before he takes his first big step on the stairs.
He slowly walks up to face the pair of glass doors. A guard stands at the door, looking at him with weary eyes. He looks Henry from head to toe, smirks then opens the gateway to his salvation.
“I need to get that loan”, Henry says to himself. He smiles weakly at the guard, nods and takes a number. He walks to the pile of chairs and takes his seat at the clients’ waiting area. As he sat down, he felt the weight of his burdens pushing him down. He recalled what had transpired the other week.
*****
“Look Henry, I’ve got a family to feed. You need to pay me for the stockpile you bought from me.”
“Joseph, I want to. I’ve been a good customer of yours for almost a decade. Cut me some slack this time.”
Both of them were talking inside the small office of Henry. His desk was spartan. One pc, a phone, a set of pens, a batch of papers, and nothing else. It reflected his own office, which only had cabinets, and filers. He didn’t even have air conditioning. It also reflected Henry’s appearance. He always wore a shirt and a pair of jeans with nary any jewelry.
Joseph, on the other hand wore his wealth on his sleeve. He had his gold bracelet, a branded watch, a pair of branded pants and shoes. He always wore long sleeved polos, which were branded (too!). Henry used to wonder if his underwear was also branded.
“Fine. I’ll extend the term another 45 days. I think that should be enough time for you to get a loan and pay me back. I’m sure the bank can give you a generous loan and complement it with easy payment schemes.” Joseph finally relented.
“A loan? I have never gotten one in my entire life!” Henry retorted.
Joseph takes a deep breath, and answers, “Henry, you don’t have any other choice. I’ve managed to secure a low interest loan just the other day. The bank manager approved it in just a week’s time. I’m sure you can do it too.”
“If only it were that easy in my case. I don’t even have a credit history established yet.” Henry thought to himself.
Henry pondered about his option and the room fell silent.
“Well?”, Joseph finally asked.
“Okay. But are you sure the bank will be that generous?”
“Yes! The bank manager knows my total deposits with their branch. Whenever I visit the branch, the manager always greets me and gives me a cup of coffee.”
“Really?”, Henry wondered out loud.
Joseph nods.
*****
“Number 23 please?”
The sound of the speaker broke Henry’s train of thoughts. He looked at his stub and slowly stood up. He walked towards the bank manager’s desk and broke into a smile.
“I’m Henry *****”. He extends his hand.
The bank manager didn’t stand up, but did manage to shake his hands.The bank manager looked at him though, with no expression. She looked like the stern principal in Henry’s high school. Strict, grumpy and ill-tempered, he recalled.
As Henry took his seat, the bank manager preempted his prepared speech with her first question.
“My assistant officer here told me that you wanted to apply for a loan? How much do you intend to loan?”
“Uhm, Php 500,000.” Henry answered, his voice barely audible.
The bank manager blinked then turned her eyes towards the computer screen. She tapped at the keyboard and then strained her eyes on all the data concerning Henry’s bank account.
“You have a substantial amount with the bank. I didn’t know you did, but it’s slightly below the amount you wish to loan. On top of that, all your money are in deposits. I don’t suppose you’ve ever tried our other products?”
Her question sounded more like an investigation than an inquiry, but Henry held his poise.
“Er, yes. Yes I believe that that is so. However, I do need extra funds to cover for the expansion of my business. I think taking a loan with you would be venturing outside of just merely a depositor?”
The bank manager tried to hold back raising her eyebrows. She looked at the man sitting in front of her. He wore an almost faded collar shirt. His pants were dirty and he was wearing slippers. She wondered if Henry really had owned the amount she saw in his account. Maybe he’s just a front for some other person?
“I’m sorry but I can only give you a loan of Php 250,000.” The bank manager was firm with her words.
Henry was taken aback. “But that won’t be enough to cover for my expansion needs.”
“Mr *****, I do not represent a charity. I have strict rules to follow. Lending standards to adhere to. I have reviewed your case since Monday. I’m already giving you the lowest interest rate possible.”
Henry felt the bitter taste of defeat. He could only muster a few words, “How much?”
“10%. That’s lower than most banks are charging.”
A sudden surge of bitterness and anger bit at Henry’s ego. He thought about the interest his supplier got for his loan. It was 9%. His approval came in just 7 days. Then Henry remembered. It was Joseph.
*****
This may or may not be fictitious. But one thing is certain. There is a big correlation between the size of your bank account and the treatment you will receive.
@Muserati. June 27.
