As a foreigner (international student or expat), I regret I ever opened an an account at Nedbank.

My experience with Nedbank has been truly awful the past 1.5 week, and they have genuinely ruined my final weeks in South Africa.

As I recently completed my doctorate here, I move back to the Netherlands this weekend, and since last week Monday I have been trying to move my money (sold my car/salary/refund from the University) back to my Dutch account.

Last week Monday I filled in the long form to transfer money overseas, on last week Wednesday I get the confirmation call, ensuring me the money would reflect in my Dutch account by last week Friday. Last week Friday I follow up; it turns out they have deleted (without notifying me) my transfer as I am not registered as a foreigner to move money overseas. The question rises; why did no one tell me this on either Monday or even Wednesday????

Last Saturday I register as a foreigner and re-do the transfer. On this Tuesday I get a call they need to see where the money comes from (proof of sale of the car/income etc). Again; this is absolutely not a problem, but why was this not told to me on the first Monday? I would have collected all documents and registered by last week Tuesday.

Now it is Thursday the week after, my flight is this weekend, and I panic whether this funds will be in my Dutch account by Friday (tomorrow!!). A list of requirements for moving money overseas is not a problem (I would have happily provided everything early last week) the problem is that no one told me the needed documents in the first place, that everyone gives different and contradicting information, and no one halfway and made an effort to actually speed this process up. Now time is running out, and nothing is done. When I panicked and called the people who I was referred to, the phone is not answered or they even hang up. It has been a terrible and stressful experience with Nedbank, and I would strongly recommend that as an international, you bank with a different bank.