Uninformed of policy change

I'm very disappointed in the manner ABSA has handled an overdraft increase application.

On Tuesday this week I app**** for an increase, with an eye to using the funds for a trip we were planning to go on the following week. The application went as it had several times before, with no new terms and conditions mentioned, and no additional information requested.

On Friday I was informed that the increase was approved and that I would be contacted shortly to finalise the overdraft. This happened today, and once more, no additional information was requested, no changes in the terms were mentioned, and the consultant told me the payout would be done within a few minutes.

Ten minutes later I received a call from another ABSA consultant, now to inform me, after approval, that the policy had changed and now the money will not be paid out as my salary is not debited into my cheque account and thus the funds will only be disbursed on 70% of my salary being paid into it, a salary that is still 3 weeks away. This was never mentioned any of the previous times I app**** for an increase, nor did any of the consultants mention it was a problem while applying for the increase. My salary is debited into my savings account (which is also held at ABSA and has been there for 23 years) and is then transferred to my chequing account.

So now at the last minute, I'm informed this, with very little time to attempt to make alternative arrangements, and my only question is why? If you have to change your policies, why was I not informed during the application process? Why did one of South Africa's largest banks wait until the last minute to inform me.

If the consultant did not already do so as I asked, please cancel the overdraft increase, as I will have no use for it if it will only be available three weeks from now.

This is more than just plain inconvenience, it is frankly pathetic, and after several bad experiences I have had with ABSA before that I decided to forgive and forget, this is what has finally got me to seriously consider moving my accounts.