Disgusting service from ABSA homeloans

My problems with ABSA home loans start around February 2021 when I app**** for an additional bond in order to do an addition and alteration on my property. Knowingly I could afford the extra costs and had already obtained approved building plans my wife and I went into the branch to apply.

Between the branch and the home loans property hub my application was getting no where unless I was the one phoning and following up and other day.

The knowledge the consultants have on what application would be best suited to my needs was non-existent as my application was 6 weeks later rejected not because of affordability but the wrong application was followed.

I was told to go through the whole process again from scratch. At this point I had already funded my project from my own savings and completed the main construction phase out of pocket and only needed extra cash to finish the kitchen, painting and a few small things.

I had app**** again online but after a week I did not get a call back from anyone. I eventually opened a complaint with ABSA, and was contacted by a lady in the complaints department that has been helping re-apply for the additional funds I needed.

My application was approved for the amount I needed the ABSA valuator had been out and was happy there was equity in the property as I had upgraded to a 4 bed 2 bath with a huge open plan living space. An independent engineer which I had to pay for and then they sent another independent assessor to have a look at the progress. None of which I was informed was required. The following day after the assessor was out she told me incorrect application was submitted there for she cannot approve for the payout to occur.

After I explicitly told the bank on every call what I need the money for, the lady from the complaints department said she was misinformed of the purpose of the funds and thought I had completed my building. So basically indirectly blaming me for the mishap, because she did not understand that I need the money to finish the kitchen, painting, ect. At this point she tells me I need to get professional quotes for the outstanding stuff and we have to re-submit the application again. At this point I am highly furious because I know that it will take another 3-6 weeks for this whole thing to play out again.

I have been very responsive in everything that was needed and went out of my way to get every thing anyone needed in a urgent fashion. At every stage of the process the incompetence to me seems to come from the staff of this bank that do not know how to best serve there clients regarding there product offerings.

If I could give a 0 rating on this platform I would because at this point I'm also unsure who takes the cake between ABSA, FNB, Standard Bank. The service I've received from these 3 banks are **********.

At the end of this whole ordeal I felt as if the bank did not even go out of there way to make this happen after I used my own savings to do the majority of this project which was basically 90% complete and was not even willing to help me in my hour of need. As I said to the lady who helped me I did not expect this from ABSA, the bank I have been with for more than 15 years and never had an issue before. I was treated as if I was just another number and they never needed my business.