ABSA

After I matriculated, I obtained a study loan from Volkskas, which later became ABSA. I've been with ABSA for 41 years. About four years ago, I realized that the bank I once knew was no longer the same. Being a loyal person, I stuck with ABSA until about six months ago. The service at the bank has become very unprofessional, and the staff treat you as if you owe them something. Earlier this year, I spent several hours in the bank trying to close my account, only to be told to contact private banking because they couldn't do it at the branch. When I finally managed to get hold of private banking, I was sent from pillar to post until I reached someone who claimed to be my private banker. After several requests to pay different amounts to clear my account, they eventually had to pay some back as their calculations were incorrect. At no point in time, either in the bank or with private banking, was I asked, "Why are you closing your account after 41 years?" This week, I needed to obtain archived bank statements from 2023. What a mission that was! I had to pay R100 per month for 12 months' worth of statements. I was told that I had to pay in cash because I didn't have an ABSA card. Who carries cash these days? I couldn't even pay with another bank's card, so I had to withdraw money from the ATM. After 60 minutes of being sent from pillar to post again, I finally got out. (You’re welcome to verify this on your CCTV cameras at Mall of Africa Monday 24 March 2025 around 11h00) This experience once again confirmed that I made the right choice to move banks.

I will never recommend ABSA to any other person