Line V

Since we applied for our bank account in San Jose, we had to go to the local branch
of Banco Nacional in La Fortuna after we got back.

When we got into the bank, the line for the tellers was around15 to 20 deep. Luckily, we could wait in chairs, for one of the folks to help us since we were getting cards and not doing any transactions.

It took around 25 minutes, and then we received our cards. We asked about setting up the automatic payments each month, and the woman told us that we had to go see one of the other folks down the way, as she didn't do that from her cubicle.

We pulled another number and waited a bit before we were called up. Again, since I'm the primary, the transfers have to be done in my name and changed over from my account. However, when the woman tried to activate my card, she frowned, looked things over and then told us that my card wasn't valid.

Why not? We asked.

This is a woman's card, she said.

Sure enough, on the card, it said BN Mujer, and mujer is woman. Who knew there were banks that issued cards for men and women? (The women's card is the white one on top, while the yellow is the man card.)

So, nothing further to be done that day. I had to go back to the bank the following day, get my man card and then set everything up. That was relatively quick, taking just 90 minutes total to get the card and set up the monthly transfers.