1 263 Heuwel Street; Centurion

I have sent a formal with the Banking OMBUDSMAN against ABS Centurion; 1 263 Heuwel Street; Centurion. I have been an ABSA Individu al Premium Client for the past 29 years and have never experienced such bad customer service in my Life.

I consulted Peter Swarts – Business Banker at the Centurion Branch on Friday the 25th of August 2023 for assistance to open a Business Account effective 01/09/2023.

I provided my Company Registration confirmation details; he advised that all necessary papers will be sent to my email address on Monday morning. He assured that everything will be finalized by Wednesday 30 August 2023 including collection of bank cards. He gave me his business card. I send him an e-mail just before 8am on Monday morning to remind him; I tried calling him just after 9 am ; the details for the landline was for the Menlyn branch; the nr was no longer in existence. I managed to get hold of him on his cell nr; he advised that he will send everything within an hour; after no response I send another email after 11am as a reminder. Documentation only received before 1pm for signature.

When I followed up this morning I was told via e-mail by Peter Swarts that it can take up to 3-5 working days. I responded at 11:28am today to ask if he could not try and prioritize for me as I am facing a challenge with not receiving confirmation of the bank account being activated; as I need it for my business requirements effective 1 September 2023.

I drove to Centurion after no reply; got there just after 2pm; his attitude was shocking telling me that even though I am platinum client at my personal capacity I cannot expect the same service for opening a business account. He advised that I can contact his Manager Pieter Myburgh; which was not at the branch. I refused to speak to Pieter Myburgh telephonicalI y and insistead to speak to the Branch Manager.

I consulted with Precious Sibongile Ndlovu after a further explanations and discussions; I advised her that I will not leave until the account has been activated and bank cards being issued; she left the office; I was looking for her business card on her desk; however it was not her business cards available it was somebody else.

She arrived back with a bank confirmation letter of the banking details and advised that she cannot do more than that. I said I will not leave until the account has been activated. She rep**** I am welcome to wait on the coach outside her office and they will attend to me after 3 days honestly!!; I asked for her for her business card; she then tried to give me the one I wanted to take and I told her that it was not hers as I wanted to take one earlier; she accused me of scratching in her stuff. Really!!!

I have left the bank with the confirmation letter only and had to asked 3 times for them to scan and send to me via e-mail confirming that the account will be activated by 1 September 2023 and to confirm by when I my collect my cards. Peter Swarts eventually scanned and e-mailed it; yet my instruction was ignored. I insisted to wait until I receive the instruction as per my request via e-mail and waited for the email to appear in my inbox; which was eventually provided. This is after 1 hour 10 min?

I am shocked to receive such poor service during the difficult times we are experiencing and job losses; and remember (THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT) and as a population we are blessed if we still have jobs; NOT TO MENTION THE COMPETITORS OUT THERE THAT WILL RUN FOR THE BUSINESS (FOR EXAMPLE FNB MY HUSBAND OPENED AN BUSINESS ACCOUNT WITHIN 1 WORKING DAY?) The attached email was sent to Pieter Myburgh for his intervention.

Kindly note that I have been contacted by Pieter Myburgh this morning; not taking responsibility for the matter I have been treated at the Centurion Branch yesterday afternoon. I will therefore escalate this matter further as this is unacceptable.