Extremely disappointing and unacceptable service

I have been trying to open a bank account with Standard Bank for several weeks, and the experience has been incredibly frustrating.

From the outset, the process has been poorly managed. Information has been provided to us in a piecemeal manner, with no clear or coherent list of the requirements. We would submit the documents requested, only to wait an unreasonable amount of time for a response and then be told that additional documents or information were required. We would provide those, only for the cycle to repeat.

What has made the experience even worse is the lack of proactive communication. We have had to repeatedly call and follow up ourselves simply to get updates on an application that should have been managed by the bank.

Yesterday was the final straw. A call conference had been arranged, and I went to the effort of gathering the directors so that we could address the outstanding matters and hopefully conclude the process. Standard Bank did not call. I subsequently tried following up through the available contact channels, but could not get anyone to answer. I also attempted to escalate the matter, with no meaningful response or assistance.

This is not the level of service one expects from a major financial institution. The amount of time wasted, the inconsistent communication, the repeated requests for information and the failure to honour a scheduled engagement have completely undermined my confidence in the bank.

At this point, I am taking my business elsewhere. I am leaving this review because customers should not have to work this hard simply to get a bank account opened, particularly when they have consistently provided the information and documentation requested of them.

Extremely disappointing service from Standard Bank.