Stay clear from Investec if you want your financial institution to give service

At the beginning of February I wanted to take advantage of what I expected was going to be a surge in the share market and invest in Investec unit trusts. Unfortunately I closed the bank account they have on record for me and therefore requested a change in their records. On 7 February I sent them an e-mail, accompanied by the required official proof of the new bank account. When absolutely nothing has happened by 18 February, I phoned their client service department, who acknowledged receipt of my e-mail and proof of account. The agent informed me they also require a signed Investec change of bank account form. I could get no satisfactory answer on the obvious question why they did not communicate it to me and I can only assume that if I did not follow up, they would have just ignored my request. The form was forwarded to me and I completed, signed it and sent it back, once again with the also required proof of bank account to ensure they have everything they need. Apart from the automated response, there has been absolutely no action from them since. This is not only pathetic client service, it has also cost me financial loss as I have missed out on the not insubstantial surge in the markets since. I have rather invested with a competitor now and I can only advise anybody wanting to invest anything to stay from Investec - there are other organisations with better investment performance and in my experience all other organisations give better service.