A load of nonsense if this is the case. A checkout is about working out if someone is generally competent overall.
As you say, why the hell was the FI needing the AH to work out the AoB?
Let me know who it was and I'll happily ring up and tell them what is really important in a checkout. Numpty!
I do hope the average FI has a bit more common sense than this. Luckily I'm certain they do.