At that time, I came into some money for the first time in my life and opened a CD at a prominent bank, to keep the money "safe."

That was in the early 1970s and bank rates were phenomenal. I had chosen the bank due to the fact that they were paying 11.5%—more than anyone else. One day, I decided that it would be prudent to visit the bank and meet the manager. When I went in, there were quite a few young pretty women walking around in designer outfits—something I'd never seen in a bank. One of them said I couldn't see the manager right away, but she showed me to a leather sofa and offered to bring me a drink.

I'd never heard of a bank serving alcoholic beverages, but it made me feel a bit special to sit on the nice sofa and have a rum and Coke.

By the time I'd finished my drink, I asked again when the manager would be seeing me and the young woman said, "Soon. Would you like another drink?"

At that moment, I suddenly began to feel a bit uncertain about the bank. I refused the drink but remained waiting. As I waited, I watched the other customers, who were being pampered by the staff and it occurred to me that my idea of a banker was somebody who was careful and frugal with my deposit, not lavish. After being in the bank for an hour, with no manager in sight, I called the young woman over and said, "I'd like to see the manager now."

She said that it wasn't possible at the moment, but that he would be available "soon."

I said, "In that case, I'll take all my money out of the bank right now."

She tried to discourage me, but I said, a bit loudly, "Are you saying that withdrawals are not possible?"

She looked a bit nervous and asked me to wait just a moment while she got the manager. She returned a few minutes later and said that he'd see me now.

I was brought into the manager's office who smiled, shook my hand and asked if I had any questions regarding my account. I said, "No, I'll be withdrawing all the money now." He pointed out that that would be a mistake, as, in a few weeks, I'd be receiving my quarterly interest and it would be better to leave the money in the bank.

At that moment, I reminded myself that I knew nothing about banking and the manager seemed to know everything. Also, what he said made sense. Surely, I was over-reacting. But I had an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. I thought for a moment, took a deep breath and said, "I want to withdraw it all now. I accept the loss of interest."