Absolute disgusting service from ABSA

I have been trying to sort out my Building loan with ABSA for over a year now. I have been sent back and forth, without exaggeration at least 40 times. I had to go through so many loopholes just to get my loan registered and yet they are still telling me to get more documents; documents which the bank previously stated that they will waive.

I am constantly being given misinformation. My understanding of the building loan was that they pay you as you progress (i.e. make progress payments), which all banks follow. However, I was told that I was required to complete the roof, which I obliged. Then I was told that I have to complete 70 percent of the building before they made payment, which I am once again obliging to, just so that I don’t argue unnecessarily.

So I agree to complete 70 percent and the loan is by the lawyers for registration, and the lawyers ask me to send certain documents, basically the same documents that the bank required, however, this time it had to be originals of certain documents, which I once again I obliged to, because I was just exhausted with all the back and forth, as it’s been a year.

Then there was a certain document that was required, that was never spoken before I met with the lawyers, which was the NHBRC enrolment certificate. Please note that they requested only the builders NHBRC certificate because it was a house that was currently standing, and we were just building the second floor. To cut a long story short, I spoke to the lawyers and explained that the house was already standing, and we were building to the top (i.e. ABSA knew this, because they sent their evaluators). The bank then stated to the lawyers that we can waive the NHBRC enrolment certificate, and my bond got registered.

Now that my bond is registered, a consultant by Vusi asked for other documents and once again NHBRC enrolment certificate, and I forwarded the email that the lawyer sent me stating that they have waived it. Vusi eventually sent me an email, however, completely ignoring my previous email, and he requested for documents to be resent, but not stating which documents. I just interacted with him twice, he was just so lazy and never had any confidence in anything he told me. He even sent me someone else’s bond information.

After waiting two days asking if he received my email (i.e. I was the one who had to call), and he stated yes they investigating but he didn’t even bother to let me know. He was so rude and he was the least helpful consultant I have ever met. This Vusi guy doesn’t know what he is talking about and he does not care that we are ABSA’s clients, he treated me like I’m nothing and he is doing me a favour.

I eventually got so tired of everything that I have asked ABSA to reimburse my lawyers fees because I cannot be bothered to be in business with them, and I definitely wish I can move my current loan from them. Bare in mind I was willing to wait an entire year and go through hoops with ABSA to get my building loan sorted, but now I don’t even care if I have to go and sort it out at another bank even if I have to start from the beginning.

I wish I never did business with ABSA, and I warn anyone who wants to do business with ABSA should rather not. I have been with every bank, but I think ABSA has to be the worst of all banks. The people they employ do not give a damn about you and they do not want to make your life easy. Please take heed of my experience and go to any other bank but ABSA.