FNB lost its soul..And now so did DirectAxis.

This is an interesting review.

I did review on DirectAxis, as I couldn't get a hold of ANYONE via there official channels, forcing me to get a hold of someone via Hellopeter. But this forced me to also check into who 'owns' or has 'control' of DirectAxis - and then my heart dropped, as I saw it was FNB/RMB or a division within their group.

the reason for this is because the most Hellopeter[ed] reviews left on my end has to be FNB.

I instantly new that the DirectAxis of the past, where it was easy to get assistance would be long gone.

Previously, nearly 6 years ago, I had a situation and needed assistance with a paybreak or payment relief from DirectAxis, as I didn't want to just not pay or let the debit laps, and I wanted a trusted loan partner be in the loop and see if they would be willing to help - it took a phone call and the person assisted me easily and fast and they extended the loan term for me and I was happy and could use that breather to deal with the issue at hand without adding more stress to an already stressful South African life. Quick fast and helpful, this had me come back to Direct Axis a total of three times, which means DirectAxis had me as a client whenever a big life change or desicion needed an infux of cash - So I have been a happy client since 2012..Then FNB got into their DNA.

This week, after taking multiple emails [unanswered] calls [unanswered] and finally Hellopeter [responded to by a nice lady on the phone] I was told that the process is not the same and I will have to 'log into the FNB app'...Those words and anything where FNB has a hand in my financial joiurney always, well always to me atleast, means that I will be dealing with a rigid system that do not give two F..ks about the customer/client - the feeling is always 'Give us your money and shut up' - the whole peoples band vibe left this bank years ago. Not sure why.

So the moment the lady said this, I just knew that I won't be able to get helped liked before, but that there would be MASSIVE hoops to jump through and provide them with a mountain of things that DirectAxis never required before and they will be as cold as that old bag of frozen peas, at the back of your fridge, but without the possibility of warming up.....

just to set the scene - when I went to my wife and said 'Hey, it seems FNB/RMB is now somehow involved with DirectAxis' [which I only found out later was a long time coming with buying up pieces of the company over the years] that she sighed, shook her head and went 'Well there goes that chance of getting help or assistance' - that should say a lot....

In the 14 years with DirectAxis on and off, I've never had to deal with FNB, it has only been since this year..It was always DirectAxis via their channels directly and without issues and a generous amout of understanding and compasion for a long standing client that they have made a Sh.t ton of money from on the interest alone! The moment FNB was mentioned as the ONLY way to deal with them, I felt I lost a partner in times of need, as all FNB has proved me over the last couple of years, based on our interactions is that 'if you don't like it go somewhere else' or 'it's not our problem' - It seems that for some reason, if FNB has been heavily involved in DirectAxis for a while, that all of a sudden procedures or the way they do things day to day, have changed - [again, based on my opinon after recent dealings]

From A SINGLE PHONE CALL AND IT IS SORED OVER THE PHONE [previously, before FNB getting their DNA into the mix and having to use their app for this] to the following ->

Multiple documents including an option of a letter showing retrenchment, comms in regards to reduction in salary. written proof of financial impact or strain, financial statement with the relevant information such as point of sales report or sales turnover reports, letter from an accounts , income recovery plan etc.etc...

From a single call to all of a sudden a TON of paperwork and all just in saying, 'Guys, we have a family issue and I would like to find out if we could possibly either extend the period [added interest would make sense in that case] I'm not saying my salary dropped, I'm not saying I have been retrenched, I'm not sayimg I need to chat to MY ACCOUNTANT to advise - what I am saying is medical and other related expenses have made it so that the salary needs to be devided and I need to make sure that all VITAL bills need to be paid and I am coming to you, the guys gettting over R5500 in payments MONTHLY and over R500 in CPI or CPP payments MONTHLY and added interest at a F..KING CRAZY rate per annum MONTHLY asking if we could just give me a gap, second time I've asked in 14 year with DirectAxis and it is made cold, dificult and ultimately, in my opinion, made super difficult as to deter someone from wanting to ask for help, so that the payments keep coming in, regardless of how the poor scmuck paying you gets the money.

I had to tell the poor lady on the phone that now that I now FNB has their grubby finger ALL over DirectAxis is a massive way, that once this loan is paid, that I will not be returning to DirectAxis if I need assistance, after being a solid client for 14 years - I will not be refering people to them, 7 of which ended up taking loans with them, some of which app**** to FNB FIRST[!!] and I do not want to be a part of any setup where FNB is involved. We are already in the process to see how we can clear up payments and move our personal accounts and business account over to ABSA in 2027 from FNB.

They are cold, heartless and robotic, with no regard for the person.

As an example - our homeloan in 2022/2023 - I approached FNB, our bank, and was offered 65% of the bond amount with A MOUNTAIN of hoops to jump through and crazy costs involved - ABSA - we got the full loan and we even got rewarded for being first time clients withcash back and they have been amazing AND WE DIDN'T EVEN HAVE AN ACCOUNT WITH THEM!! At that point I was with FNB over 1.0. Y.E.A.R.S. [I think it was close to 14 years..]

I understand as a grown a.s.s. man that my debt is mine, BUT a company that previously helped without any issues and within a 10min call, has now been reduced to an FNB puppet with tons of firey hoops and paperwork to jump and work through - just sad and to be fair a proper final push for us to move to ABSA as soon as we sort out accounts.

What happened FNB? I understand business is business, but treating people as exactly that, people with lives and issues, will make them want to come back and use you and your services more..Something changed the way you view your clients.

SAD...

I will find a way to sell things and hustle and make sure that we can afford what needs to happen, but I will always carry the fact that a trusted partner has dissapeared...