Banks Cater to the Rich

Workers at Kookmin Bank's Yoksam-dong branch, on the afternoon of March 3, were busily preparing the new 'Prestige Club', a separate exclusive room complete with luxurious sofas and red carpet. The room also contains a wide-screen TV and an audio system for customers.
It is a totally different atmosphere from the first floor where regular customers line up amidst confusion and chaos.
Kim Ji Sup, the branch's assistant manager, said, 'The Prestige Club will provide better service for our wealthier customers.'
At Citibank, VIP clients do not even have to physically visit the bank to conduct their business. Rather, a bank employee visits clients' homes or offices instead.
Of course, this service is only for the very well-off, those who have deposited at least 4 million dollars and who are more concerned with secrecy than interest rates.
Banks are treating their more exclusive clientele with golf bookings and resort reservations on the house, because they produce 80 percent of the banks' profits despite being less than 20 percent of the total customers.
One concern for regular customers is that service will actually decline further as resources are spent on the wealthy.