Based on recent customer reviews, Absa is described as an institution where individual staff members often shine but core banking processes repeatedly fail. Customers consistently report unauthorised deductions, blocked accounts and unresolved theft investigations, while a recurring theme is the difficulty of reaching anyone who takes ownership. Staff and Branch Experience (2.8) is the only theme scoring near average, with digital security and dispute resolution drawing the strongest criticism.
Top Strengths:
- •Staff & Branch Experience: Customers frequently name individual consultants who go beyond expectations, praising patience, product knowledge and follow through. Insurance and branch consultants attract the warmest feedback, and the in branch smart ID service is described as fast, although understaffed branches and long queues temper the theme.
Replied to 100% of negative reviews
Reply time on negative reviews: 11h 36m
TrustIndex
3.3
Ranking
#4
in Banking
Reply Time
11h 19m
NPS Score
-51
Recommended: Unlikely
Replied to 100% of negative reviews
Reply time on negative reviews: 11h 36m
Dec '25 - Nov '26
Frequently Asked Questions About Absa
What do customers say about Absa?
Based on recent customer reviews, Absa is described as an institution where individual staff members often shine but core banking processes repeatedly fail. Customers consistently report unauthorised deductions, blocked accounts and unresolved theft investigations, while a recurring theme is the difficulty of reaching anyone who takes ownership. Staff and Branch Experience (2.8) is the only theme scoring near average, with digital security and dispute resolution drawing the strongest criticism.
What is Absa's biggest strength?
Absa's biggest strength, according to Hellopeter's AI analysis, is Staff & Branch Experience. Customers frequently name individual consultants who go beyond expectations, praising patience, product knowledge and follow through. Insurance and branch consultants attract the warmest feedback, and the in branch smart ID service is described as fast, although understaffed branches and long queues temper the theme.
What are the most common complaints about Absa?
The most common complaint about Absa, based on Hellopeter's AI analysis of recent customer reviews, is Digital Banking & Security. This is the weakest theme. Customers report unauthorised transactions and theft investigations that run for months without investigator contact, claims declined with generic letters, large transfers processed without app verification prompts and repeated lockouts after phone upgrades.
How does Absa compare to other Banking companies?
Absa scores 1.3 out of 5 on Hellopeter's AI analysis of service quality in Banking, compared to the Banking industry average of 1.3. Their strongest theme is Branch Experience (2.8); their weakest is Digital Banking (0.8). The top AI-rated Banking business on Hellopeter is GoTyme Bank | Formerly TymeBank (3.1). How is the AI Score calculated? →
Is Absa trustworthy?
Absa has a TrustIndex of 3.3 out of 10 on Hellopeter, based on 3,025 reviews in the last 12 months. They reply to 100% of negative reviews, typically within 11 hours 36 min. Hellopeter has tracked Absa across 45,866 total reviews. How is the TrustIndex calculated? →
Recent reviews (3,025)
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your Experience1 reviews | Active since Nov 2026
Outstanding Service from Minkheso Abigail Maluleke – Absa
Outstanding Service from Minkheso Abigail Maluleke – Absa I would like to commend Minkheso Abigail Maluleke for her exceptional professionalism, dedication and outstanding customer service throughout my vehicle finance application. She was extremely helpful, patient, responsive and supportive throughout the process, ensuring that everything went smoothly. Her commitment and willingness to go the extra mile made my experience stress-free and memorable. Thanks to her assistance and Absa's support, I successfully secured finance for my new Volkswagen Polo TSI Life! Thank you, Minkheso, for making my dream a reality. You are a true asset to Absa!
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2026
Outstanding Service from Minkheso Abigail Maluleke – Absa
Outstanding Service from Minkheso Abigail Maluleke – Absa I would like to commend Minkheso Abigail Maluleke for her exceptional professionalism, dedication and outstanding customer service throughout my vehicle finance application. She was extremely helpful, patient, responsive and supportive throughout the process, ensuring that everything went smoothly. Her commitment and willingness to go the extra mile made my experience stress-free and memorable. Thanks to her assistance and Absa's support, I successfully secured finance for my new Volkswagen Polo TSI Life! Thank you, Minkheso, for making my dream a reality. You are a true asset to Absa!
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2026
Unauthorised deduction of short term Insurance
I never approved the short-term insurance, nor did I receive any documentation to review or sign before the insurance was allegedly activated. I merely made an online enquiry on my Banking App At no stage did I give my consent to proceed with the insurance. Furthermore, the amount now being charged is totally different from the amount quoted during my enquiry. The amount initially displayed was significantly lower, and I was never provided with any documentation explaining the actual premium or the terms and conditions of this insurance. I find it completely unacceptable that ABSA is now demanding a cancellation fee for an insurance policy that I never knowingly agreed to in the first place. It has been 10 days and no answer or reversal of the amount deducted.
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2026
Unauthorised deduction of short term Insurance
I never approved the short-term insurance, nor did I receive any documentation to review or sign before the insurance was allegedly activated. I merely made an online enquiry on my Banking App At no stage did I give my consent to proceed with the insurance. Furthermore, the amount now being charged is totally different from the amount quoted during my enquiry. The amount initially displayed was significantly lower, and I was never provided with any documentation explaining the actual premium or the terms and conditions of this insurance. I find it completely unacceptable that ABSA is now demanding a cancellation fee for an insurance policy that I never knowingly agreed to in the first place. It has been 10 days and no answer or reversal of the amount deducted.
1 reviews | Active since Dec 2018
Once my debt is settled, I will close all my ABSA accounts as this is no way to treat clients.
I would like to formally lodge a complaint regarding the handling of my credit card ***. I acknowledge that my *** are currently in arrears and, in an effort to address the outstanding balances responsibly, I entered into payment arrangements with Absa. I have been honouring these arrangements and have continued making the agreed monthly payments without missing any payments. I was therefore extremely disappointed and concerned to discover that my *** have nevertheless been handed over to external attorneys. I fail to understand why this action has been taken while I am actively complying with the agreed payment arrangements. Had I failed to honour the arrangements or neglected my payment obligations, I could understand the need for further collection action. However, this is not the case. I have been a loyal Absa client for approximately 10 years, and I find it particularly disappointing that, despite my continued efforts to settle my outstanding obligations, my circumstances and commitment to making regular payments appear not to have been taken into consideration. I am not disputing my responsibility to repay the outstanding balances. I am simply asking that Absa acknowledge the existing payment arrangements and the fact that I have been honouring them. I would appreciate this matter being investigated urgently and would like to receive written feedback on the outcome of my complaint. I am making a genuine effort to meet my financial obligations, and I believe that this should be recognised and taken into consideration when dealing with my ***. I trust that Absa will give this matter the attention it deserves. But nevertheless, once my debt is settled, I will close all my ABSA accounts as this is no way to treat clients.
1 reviews | Active since Dec 2018
Once my debt is settled, I will close all my ABSA accounts as this is no way to treat clients.
I would like to formally lodge a complaint regarding the handling of my credit card ***. I acknowledge that my *** are currently in arrears and, in an effort to address the outstanding balances responsibly, I entered into payment arrangements with Absa. I have been honouring these arrangements and have continued making the agreed monthly payments without missing any payments. I was therefore extremely disappointed and concerned to discover that my *** have nevertheless been handed over to external attorneys. I fail to understand why this action has been taken while I am actively complying with the agreed payment arrangements. Had I failed to honour the arrangements or neglected my payment obligations, I could understand the need for further collection action. However, this is not the case. I have been a loyal Absa client for approximately 10 years, and I find it particularly disappointing that, despite my continued efforts to settle my outstanding obligations, my circumstances and commitment to making regular payments appear not to have been taken into consideration. I am not disputing my responsibility to repay the outstanding balances. I am simply asking that Absa acknowledge the existing payment arrangements and the fact that I have been honouring them. I would appreciate this matter being investigated urgently and would like to receive written feedback on the outcome of my complaint. I am making a genuine effort to meet my financial obligations, and I believe that this should be recognised and taken into consideration when dealing with my ***. I trust that Absa will give this matter the attention it deserves. But nevertheless, once my debt is settled, I will close all my ABSA accounts as this is no way to treat clients.
1 reviews | Active since Aug 2017
Absa spin and win a hoax
Why does Absa bank Send us messages to spin and win and the result is always no prize this time,this is planned and creates a false impression,I think they rigged this spin and win to gove prizes who they want to.Pathetic bank.
1 reviews | Active since Aug 2017
Absa spin and win a hoax
Why does Absa bank Send us messages to spin and win and the result is always no prize this time,this is planned and creates a false impression,I think they rigged this spin and win to gove prizes who they want to.Pathetic bank.
1 reviews | Active since Oct 2023
Terrible service
Service is terrible and slow. It's almost impossible to get our issue resolved. I've spent in total at this stage, 20 min on ***** hotline, 1.5hrs in branch visit, 40mins holding time to ***** again and now sent to another department. If I could, I will cancel all my ABSA products today
1 reviews | Active since Oct 2023
Terrible service
Service is terrible and slow. It's almost impossible to get our issue resolved. I've spent in total at this stage, 20 min on ***** hotline, 1.5hrs in branch visit, 40mins holding time to ***** again and now sent to another department. If I could, I will cancel all my ABSA products today
1 reviews | Active since Mar 2019
zero service.
I have been a business client for 20 years. I requested historical bank statements for almost 3 months, with constant follow ups, and very little progress. I also requested a stop to a debit order, no response since 6 August 2026. Worst service ever.
1 reviews | Active since Mar 2019
zero service.
I have been a business client for 20 years. I requested historical bank statements for almost 3 months, with constant follow ups, and very little progress. I also requested a stop to a debit order, no response since 6 August 2026. Worst service ever.
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2026
I wish I never knew Absa existed
I curse the day I registered an account with Absa. I just woke up one day and my account was frozen and I logged a case with them and I was asked to provide proof of a particular transaction, which I did submit immediately. Now it has been two months and I have been sent from pillar to post. Absolutely horrible service, unprofessional. Every time you call, you're always told that the investigator will contact you, which is an absolute lie because they never do. At this point I'm done with them, they can keep my money hostage forever.
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2026
I wish I never knew Absa existed
I curse the day I registered an account with Absa. I just woke up one day and my account was frozen and I logged a case with them and I was asked to provide proof of a particular transaction, which I did submit immediately. Now it has been two months and I have been sent from pillar to post. Absolutely horrible service, unprofessional. Every time you call, you're always told that the investigator will contact you, which is an absolute lie because they never do. At this point I'm done with them, they can keep my money hostage forever.
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2026
Poor service practices and accountability
Seems I'm not alone with this issue. I have been recently double charged with regards to valid spending at spar and transaction fees, received one refund as it appears it is known buy ABSA but then the same amount was deducted that was refunded. Very confused and contacting your *** appears to be a dead end.
1 reviews | Active since Nov 2026
Poor service practices and accountability
Seems I'm not alone with this issue. I have been recently double charged with regards to valid spending at spar and transaction fees, received one refund as it appears it is known buy ABSA but then the same amount was deducted that was refunded. Very confused and contacting your *** appears to be a dead end.