Negative Profiling and Discriminatory Practices by FNB

My application (joint application) for a home loan was recently declined by FNB. I was very disappointed with the outcome as I have been with a loyal FNB customer since 2009, The application was made through a bond originator. As a result, when I confronted the bank via the FNB App, a consultant (Buyisiwe) informed me that I was under “debt review”. I was surprised because I knew that I was not under any debt review and have never been. Also, I have a clean credit record across all credit bureaus (with a high credit score).

It would be ******** for FNB to put me under debt review without my knowledge, especially using false information. On Thursday, 23 March 2023 I sent an email to *** seeking clarity about my alleged credit status with FNB. FNB gave the following response: 1. Kindly be advised that your profile is not with or under debt review. The indicator for debt review is under "no". 2. Please note that your profile is currently not in good standing and therefore any credit application/loans will not be approved due to that status.

Subsequently, on Friday 24 March 2023 I called FNB Private Clients on *** to seek clarity on number 2 above. The consultant couldn’t provide any reason to support the credit status as declared by FNB in number 2 above.

The Standard Bank of South Africa has since approved my home loan application. Given the unfair and discriminatory treatment from FNB, we have decided to terminate our family’s relationship with FNB in favour of The Standard Bank of South Africa. We are no longer prepared to be segregated and profiled (negatively) by a bank we unfortunately preferred for many years.