Nationwide

About this location

A few stories people tell about this place

1. One morning, as customers were settling in for their daily coffee, an elderly gentleman approached the counter and asked the teller to verify something unusual. ‘I just want to make sure,’ he said with a twinkle in his eye, ‘that my account is still listed under “John Q. Public”.’ The teller smiled and confirmed it was indeed correct. Since then, every Wednesday at precisely 9:30 AM, Mr. Q mysteriously appears and asks the same question. Finally, one day the manager decided to have some fun. She called out over the intercom, ‘Mr. Q, your account has been updated—now officially registered as “Q. John Public.”’ A few minutes later, the familiar figure appeared at the counter again. With a knowing smile, he asked, ‘Isn’t that JOHN Q. PUBLIC?’ Everyone burst into laughter, including our mysterious visitor who simply replied, ‘Ah, yes… I see what you did there!’

2. In the early hours of one foggy morning, a delivery driver pulled up outside Nationwide Bank and asked himself aloud, ‘How do I get into this place anyway?’ He peered around nervously, noticing an old fire escape nearby. With a deep breath, he climbed up, unlocked the window, and whispered, 'Hello? Is anyone here?' A sleepy security guard appeared, yawned, and said, 'Welcome to Nationwide, sir. Can I help you with something?' The driver sheepishly replied, 'Just trying to deliver some papers.' The guard smiled and motioned him inside, remarking, 'We’ve had stranger visitors before.'

3. In the late afternoon, when Nationwide’s tellers were wrapping up transactions and preparing to close, a young man approached the counter with a curious expression. ‘Excuse me,’ he said, pointing to a small envelope sitting on the cashier’s desk. ‘I found this addressed to “Bank Manager” but there’s no return address.’ The manager picked it up curiously, opened it, and read aloud: 'Dear Sir/Madam, please send my package back to sender. Yours truly, Anonymous Customer.' Everyone burst into laughter—turns out someone had accidentally sent their own forgotten lunchbox instead of money.

4. At closing time, when Nationwide's lights were dimming and employees were packing up, a neighborhood cat began appearing on the counter, demanding treats from the last remaining customer. Finally, one evening, an exasperated teller asked the cat, ‘Would you like some fish or would you prefer cash?’ The cat looked at her with such indignant dignity that everyone burst out laughing. From then on, Nationwide’s closing ritual included not only locking the doors but also tossing a treat to their feline friend.