Global account extremely poor service.

Global account not working at all. Worst service I’ve ever experienced from FNB.

I app**** for an FNB Global account before our trip to USA. I received my card, activated it and transferred my rands into dollars in my global account.

Upon arriving in USA my card did not work anywhere I tried, not to draw cash or to swipe. I tried to contact FNB numerous times but guess what... the Forex division operates only in South African office hours. So I had to wait until the Monday to speak to them. I stayed up late so that I could phone them from California (10 hours behind) and the joke is that they kept referring me back to the normal banking desk.

Anyway, after numerous long distance calls and being transferred more than 10 times I eventually got through to someone who was trying her best to sort it out for me. Apparently FNB had blocked the card because they needed my ID book and proof of address. I don’t understand this because I have many other accounts with FNB including business accounts.

I made a plan to get the documents through to her as soon as possible after the call. Later an email came back saying I needed to print and sign something and send it back.

Tell me FNB how must I do this while I’m on holiday in California? Why did nobody ask me to do this while I was still in South Africa before I transferred my money into the global account? Why did the global transfer even go through in the first place if my account wasn’t verified whatever you are claiming? Why does my husband’s card work fine, while he app**** 2 days after me?

I can’t access that money that’s sitting in my global account and I am half way round the world. What would have happened if I didn’t have other cards with available funds and I trusted that the Global account would do what it’s supposed to do.

I have never been so disappointed with FNB. The level of frustration makes me want to move all my accounts, including our businesses, to another bank.

Don’t call me on my cellphone as I am still out of the country. Please contact me via email.