Interest not paid

I have had a time deposit (automatic rollover) with Chase Manhattan Bank since 1989. In June 1998, I went to Chase Manhattan to withdraw the principal and all the interest. I was so surprised when an employee of the Chase Manhattan Bank told me that since 1992 Chase Manhattan Bank had not been in retail banking (concentrating on corporate and high net-worth banking). So from 1992 up to 1998 I was not paid any interest.

Furthermore, the employee said that Chase Manhattan Bank had sent me two letters (one by courier and another by mail), but I never received any of them. I have always lived at the same address.

Then I met Mr. KT Theng (vice president of technology and operations at Chase Manhattan Bank) to inquire about my right to receive interest on my account. I challenged Mr. Theng, saying I was prepared to forfeit the interest if he was willing to send a copy of the letter to me at the same address as before. Mr. Theng, however, did not dare to do so.

Instead, Mr. Theng finally sent a letter (by courier, and I received it at my usual address/home) saying that the bank was giving me an incentive of US$601 to compensate for any unpaid interest. For sure, I am not satisfied with this, because if I compare it to the interest I would normally have received, the incentive is nothing. Can any of the Post's readers give me some advice as to what I should do to get my rights?

LENNY TIRTADARMA

Jakarta