A withdrawn commercial described Israeli banks as "the oxygen of the country."
That's not exactly the case. The only raison d'�tre of the banks (or the Egged bus cooperative, or the Kupat Cholim sick fund, or many other institutions) is to make money.
Banks are pretty much the same around the world. It's difficult to love them.
You may occasionally find a cheerful or helpful bank clerk. That usually means that he is about to be transferred to a different branch. Your branch is always the one with the sullen, inefficient, and sleepy tellers.
Since most of the country's accounts run on standing orders, you'll find it difficult to switch banks. Even your salary is wired directly to your account.
You can't move your standing orders to another bank until your salary is permanently sent there. On the other hand, you can't assure that the new bank will accept your salary on a regular basis until several months pass.
In the meantime, you have to pay (and confirm) all of your bills manually.
It doesn't pay to hate your bank, but you do it anyway.
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