“BANKING BLUES !”

There is a bank currently flighting an add which whimsically asks “DO YOU WANT A BANK THAT TAKES YOUR MONEY? OR A BANK THAT TAKES YOUR MONEY SERIOUSLY?!” I’ve been a client of that bank since 1958 but am now wavering - since it “TAKES my money…very SERIOUSLY!!”. From the days when the bank would welcome you with open arms, offer you all kinds of incentives and perks and levy no fees or charges of any kind to the unbelievably greedy, eye watering rip-off fees of today ! Try this; to transfer a small sum from one Nedbank account to another of the same bank at the same branch attracts a staggering fee of R150.00? Why? Because you approached a teller! But isn’t that what they’re for ? No…not anymore - you’re supposed to use “the APP” ( on a device costing the client around R12,000 for a cheap one - plus a printer because the bank no longer posts - or even emails monthly statements! It gets worse …. believe it or not, if I dare to deposit a R100.00 cash at my bank it will cost an outrageous fee of R41.00 !(leaving me with just R59.00 out of my R100.00!!). And try this …..if I should need to withdraw some of my money on a 3rd occasion during any month I may do so at a fee (better sit down!) of R82.20 per R100.00!!! Don’t take me word for it - enquire at any branch (but beware - there may be an ‘enquiry fee’!). Doubtless, other banks may be pulling similar avaricious stunts but I’m going to consult that other bank that asks “HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?” I’ll answer by saying “Bring Back PPP!” (People, Pens and Paper!) - because Banks have clearly gone Bonkers!