One ordinary day, I received a phone call from one of my clients.  Having not hearing from him in a while, I picked up the phone immediately. He asked me to meet him in front of a popular fast food chain near the branch that day.  Curious as to why he called me out of the blue, I asked what he would like us to talk about. He gave me a very enigmatic reply, telling me that he would disclose everything when we meet. This client was a nice person, so I agreed to the meeting.

 There I saw him standing outside the restaurant’s front door and looking determined—agitated even—as if he was focused on a plan. Approaching him with a friendly smile, I asked if we should go inside the restaurant to talk. 

“No need. This won’t take too long, Karen,” he said.  

He proceeded to tell me that he needed my help. He wanted me to open an account for his friend, a favor which I had already refused. His friend’s IDs looked fraudulent so I declined his application at once. I was feeling indignant at his second attempt. Despite my rising frustration, I apologized and said that it was not possible. Then he suddenly shoved an envelope into my hand. I was surprised and asked what it was. He said it was a “token of his appreciation” for providing him with good service.  When I opened the envelope, it contained a bundle of cash. Trying my best to hide the shock on my face, I immediately returned the envelope to the client. I politely told him that it was unnecessary. He insisted but I firmly rejected the offer and told him that we are not allowed to accept gifts. When he insisted for the third time, I firmly told him that this would not change my mind. I stood my ground and politely excused myself, telling him that I needed to another meeting. 

I knew that exchanges like this are realities when you work in a bank. It is in moments like this that I’m grateful for the values that UnionBank instills in us. Through INTEGRITY, we are able to distinguish what is right from what is wrong, and most of all it always guides us to choose the former.