Santa sent packing by UBS
It seems not only little children are afraid of a visit from Santa Claus, but also Switzerland's biggest bank, UBS.
UBS has branded Santa a security threat and banned the cheery Christmas character from using its branches nationwide.
“As a bank we’re very cautious and we don’t like to have masked people in the bank,” a UBS spokesman, Serge Steiner, told swissinfo.
While there is no specific Santa Regulation, Steiner explained that the bank’s security regulations require all people to remove masks they might be wearing before entering, including those with helmets.
Santa Claus told swissinfo that for his part, he is aware that the measures do not bar him from banking with UBS and even says he does not hold a grudge against the bank.
Practising Santa
In any case, according to Hans-Ernst Weber, a practising Santa and vice chairman of the Zurich-based Santa Claus Association, Santa does not need to visit a bank.
“Santa doesn’t need money. He has a heart of full of love for fellow citizens in Zurich and around the globe,” Weber said.
“I think it’s more important to spread light, warmth and some love to other people not living on the sunny side of their lives,” he continued.
When Santa Claus does pull into Switzerland, UBS invites him to park his reindeer outside the branch of his choice and suggests he uses the external Automatic Teller Machine instead.
Concealed weapon
While Steiner said the bank has never experienced any trouble with Santas, good or bad, “one just never knows” who could be masquerading beneath the white beard or what weapon could be concealed in his sack of presents.
The bank is sure that security, which has been stepped up in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the United States, will spot and turn away the imposter Santa.
“I don’t think he would be rudely thrown out of the bank. I think he would be very politely asked to leave,” Steiner said.
To show Santa does not feel discriminated against, Weber paid UBS workers in Zurich a visit last week – which, incidentally, took place in a restaurant, not a bank.
“I may have to lift my finger there a little bit and talk to them about what they could be doing better next year,” Weber cautioned before setting out.
by Samantha Tonkin
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