How long your name is...

Do you know that your name length can create lots of problem in any financial institution?

Here’s one example:

MUHAMMAD NURUL AZAMMI BIN MUHAMMAD NUDRI

For the above example, the length is 40 bytes. It means, field to keep this record must be 40 or more. Let say the core banking system used to open up deposit accounts keeps name length up to 40 bytes. For another system, let say Credit Card system for Credit Card creation is capable to keep customer name up to 30 bytes of length, which means, that system is only capable of keeping the following record:

MUHAMMAD NURUL AZAMMI BIN MUHA

Do you notice that the name is truncated? And there’s possibility of different person sharing the same name.

How does the system differentiate whether the Muhammad Nurul Azammi bin Muhammad Nudri is not the same person as Muhammad Nurul Azammi bin Muhammad Nordin?

Here’s the important of IC or other identification.

The first 30 bytes of name out of 40 can only provide 80% of accuracy. The name and IC must be the exact match to identify that the Muhammad Nurul Azammi bin Muhammad Nudri really is Muhammad Nurul Azammi bin Muhammad Nudri and gives the 100% of accuracy that eliminates possibility of tagging CIS to a wrong person.

How do you feel so far? Confused? Can read more? Is this too informative?

What if, prior to opening his first Savings account with the bank, Muhammad Nurul Azammi bin Muhammad Nudri does not input his name as per IC, instead, he provides, Muhammad Nurul Azammi b Muhammad Nudri?

And what if, prior to applying Credit Card, since the length for him to input his name is 30 bytes, he provides his name as Mohd Nurul Azammi Mohd Nudri?

The system is programmed to find the exact match which means for Muhammad Nurul Azammi’s next visit to branch to apply for Credit Card or any other product; he will definitely be given a new set of CIS record.

So what’s the implication?

The implication is a nightmare to the bank. Muhammad Nurul Azammi bin Muhammad Nudri calls Call Centre and complaints that he’s not able to see his Credit Card info at Internet Banking.

Why?

Because for Muhammad Nurul Azammi, there’s two CIS exist in the bank. Two CIS records denote 2 different persons for the system. The system is restricted to allow another customer to view another customer’s record to be in compliance with the Central Bank.

So moral of this long story:

There’s a reason why all application forms have asked you to input your name according to your IC number.

It must also be a good reason for the bank to inquire both your old and new IC number as well as other identifications.

Last but not least, keep your kids’ name short, simple and easy to spell. Teller at branch is indeed has the tendency to make mistake while typing info in the system that has indirectly resulted in the duplicate creation and data quality issue.

Those already with long names and unique spelling, be extra careful in filling up your forms…