I went to the bank today to buy some yen for a trip to Japan, and recalled something that I now fear is a missed opportunity.

Every time I go in to a bank to do anything in Korea, be it initiate a new card, exchange money, or just sit in the air conditioned waiting room, I have to fill out my name and address on at least one form.

Generally I have already verified my identity by giving them my ID and inputting the pin for my account.

They don't have my address? Is this a further verification of my identity? I don't understand what it could possibly be for. This verification after verification must have a point though, and it makes me think that years ago, I missed a great opportunity.

Years ago, I went downtown to the Samsung security brokerage to open a trading account. They require a deposit to get started, but luckily there is a branch of my bank across the street. I go in to get a certified check to take back across the street to the brokerage. Getting through their suggestions that I, instead, use their guaranteed mutual funds, I only have to sign and address one or two forms to get my certified check. Going back to the brokerage, I deposit it and am set up for trading.

A couple of days later the bank teller calls and says I have one more form to sign.

"That's fine," I say, "the money has already transferred."

"Yes, but we need this one more signature. "

"Okay, send it to me, I'll sign it and send it back. "

"You have to come in."

I'm not going down there again, the money is already transferred, I don't care if it is signed or not. "No thanks." I reply, as though her statement had been the request that it should have been. "It's too far."

Silence.

"Alright, goodbye th..."

"I'll bring it to you." the teller says.

We work out where we can meet on campus the next day. She will call me when she gets there. But she never ends up coming.

It occurs to me that that since I never signed this form, I never signed off on the transfer of my funds from the bank. I wonder if I could have claimed that they had been transferred without my permission, and claimed them back from the bank. Too late now though, I think. What a missed opportunity!