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Dineo M
1 reviews | Active since May 2023
12 Jul 2025, 03:05
"Your story Matters" - not with ABSA
ABSA Says "Your Story Matters" – But Mine Clearly Doesn’t Complaint: ABSA’s slogan says “Your story matters”, but based on my experience, that couldn’t be further from the truth. I am a permanently employed South African with a good salary, and I app**** for a personal loan from ABSA — not for luxury or unnecessary spending, but to settle cash loans (mashonisa debt) and finally achieve financial freedom. I’ve made every effort to improve my credit score, paying all current debts on time, and hoped ABSA would support this positive move.
Instead, I was met with rejection, vague explanations, and no meaningful help. I was told about “unpaids” that they couldn’t even prove, and despite offering a clear plan to focus solely on ABSA once my debt is consolidated, I was still turned away. ABSA’s customer service team showed no empathy or real effort to understand my situation. To add insult to injury, they claim they want to help people build their credit score — yet when someone like me is trying to do exactly that, they shut the door. Where is the support, the care, the understanding? I trusted ABSA because they promote the idea that “your story matters”, but my story was clearly not heard. Right now, it feels like just another empty marketing slogan, not something they actually live by. All I wanted was a fair chance to rebuild and move forward. ABSA, please stop ignoring the real struggles of the people you claim to serve. The 1 star is not deserved.
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Replies (5)DM
Dineo M's updateReviewer Update
12 Jul 2025, 08:16ABSA – “Your Story Matters” but only when it’s convenient for them? I’m extremely disappointed in the service I’ve received from ABSA. Their slogan is “Your Story Matters”, yet from my experience, it feels like that couldn’t be further from the truth. I approached ABSA for a personal loan to consolidate and settle cash loans that are currently weighing me down. This is part of my effort to achieve financial freedom and move away from reliance on mashonisas. Despite being a loyal ABSA customer, my application was rejected with vague reasons about “unpaid items” that they couldn’t even clearly explain or prove. To make matters worse, the branch manager told me that ABSA has “no control” over the cash loans I want to pay off — as if that’s justification for not helping me. But this raises an important question: If ABSA can provide credit products to people who aren’t even their customers — people whose credit profiles they have no control over — why can’t they assist me, someone who actually banks with them? Her words were that ABSA can’t do things that are unnecessary. That was deeply hurtful and dismissive. I am reaching out because I’m struggling now. I need help now. Yet she told me I must first go and fix my credit on my own — and maybe then ABSA can help. But why would I want help later, when I no longer need it? Isn’t the whole point of a loan to assist someone in a time of need? I’m permanently employed, I’m paying my debts, and I want to do things the right way — with ABSA. But clearly, my story does not matter to them. I expected more from a bank that claims to care.
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Dineo M's update12 Jul 2025, 08:16
Reviewer Update
ABSA – “Your Story Matters” but only when it’s convenient for them? I’m extremely disappointed in the service I’ve received from ABSA. Their slogan is “Your Story Matters”, yet from my experience, it feels like that couldn’t be further from the truth. I approached ABSA for a personal loan to consolidate and settle cash loans that are currently weighing me down. This is part of my effort to achieve financial freedom and move away from reliance on mashonisas. Despite being a loyal ABSA customer, my application was rejected with vague reasons about “unpaid items” that they couldn’t even clearly explain or prove. To make matters worse, the branch manager told me that ABSA has “no control” over the cash loans I want to pay off — as if that’s justification for not helping me. But this raises an important question: If ABSA can provide credit products to people who aren’t even their customers — people whose credit profiles they have no control over — why can’t they assist me, someone who actually banks with them? Her words were that ABSA can’t do things that are unnecessary. That was deeply hurtful and dismissive. I am reaching out because I’m struggling now. I need help now. Yet she told me I must first go and fix my credit on my own — and maybe then ABSA can help. But why would I want help later, when I no longer need it? Isn’t the whole point of a loan to assist someone in a time of need? I’m permanently employed, I’m paying my debts, and I want to do things the right way — with ABSA. But clearly, my story does not matter to them. I expected more from a bank that claims to care.
DM
Dineo M's updateReviewer Update
12 Jul 2025, 08:22To make matters worse, the branch manager said she went through my bank statement and concluded that I spend money on “unnecessary things.” Why is ABSA doing a lifestyle audit on me instead of assessing me fairly like any other customer? Since when does someone’s personal spending — without understanding their full context — become a reason to reject a loan? This felt invasive and judgmental. If I were not already an ABSA customer, would they have still done this? This experience has left me feeling ashamed, humiliated, and unsupported by a bank I trusted. ABSA does not live up to their values. My story clearly doesn’t matter to them — only the numbers they want to focus on
DM
Dineo M's update12 Jul 2025, 08:22
Reviewer Update
To make matters worse, the branch manager said she went through my bank statement and concluded that I spend money on “unnecessary things.” Why is ABSA doing a lifestyle audit on me instead of assessing me fairly like any other customer? Since when does someone’s personal spending — without understanding their full context — become a reason to reject a loan? This felt invasive and judgmental. If I were not already an ABSA customer, would they have still done this? This experience has left me feeling ashamed, humiliated, and unsupported by a bank I trusted. ABSA does not live up to their values. My story clearly doesn’t matter to them — only the numbers they want to focus on
Absa's replyOfficial
14 Jul 2025, 09:26Dear Dineo Thank you for bringing this unfortunate matter/incident to my attention, and please accept my sincere apology. I will review it and email you my specific contact details and the expected timeframe for further feedback/resolution. The reference number for your complaint is C-***7. RegardsPravesh BejayCustomer Value Management
Absa's reply14 Jul 2025, 09:26
Official
Dear Dineo Thank you for bringing this unfortunate matter/incident to my attention, and please accept my sincere apology. I will review it and email you my specific contact details and the expected timeframe for further feedback/resolution. The reference number for your complaint is C-***7. RegardsPravesh BejayCustomer Value Management
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Dineo M's updateReviewer Update
16 Jul 2025, 01:42Disappointed by ABSA’s Final Response I appreciate the response from Pravesh at ABSA, but I must express my disappointment. While I accept the rejection of my personal loan application, I was hoping for a more meaningful and customer-centric resolution. ABSA’s slogan says, “Your Story Matters” — but my experience so far tells a different story. I don’t feel heard or supported as a loyal customer who has shown commitment to improving my financial standing. I expected better from a bank that claims to care. This whole process has left me feeling discouraged and let down.
DM
Dineo M's update16 Jul 2025, 01:42
Reviewer Update
Disappointed by ABSA’s Final Response I appreciate the response from Pravesh at ABSA, but I must express my disappointment. While I accept the rejection of my personal loan application, I was hoping for a more meaningful and customer-centric resolution. ABSA’s slogan says, “Your Story Matters” — but my experience so far tells a different story. I don’t feel heard or supported as a loyal customer who has shown commitment to improving my financial standing. I expected better from a bank that claims to care. This whole process has left me feeling discouraged and let down.
Absa's replyOfficial
16 Jul 2025, 09:33Dear Dineo
Your feedback has been noted.
RegardsPravesh BejayCustomer Value Management
Your feedback has been noted.
RegardsPravesh BejayCustomer Value Management
Absa's reply16 Jul 2025, 09:33
Official
Dear Dineo
Your feedback has been noted.
RegardsPravesh BejayCustomer Value Management
Your feedback has been noted.
RegardsPravesh BejayCustomer Value Management