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Faeeza P

1 reviews | Active since Mar 2021

03 Dec 2025, 16:04

Formal Complaint – Review Required on Unfair 80% Bond Limitation

Dear Standard Bank Home Loans Complaints Department,

I am submitting this formal complaint regarding the approval of my home loan for only 80% financing. This restriction is not based on affordability or any financial risk on our side, but appears to be tied to an internal Standard Bank policy linked to SARB exchange control guidelines. Since we meet the criteria for foreign national lending, this outcome is not acceptable to us.

I am a long-standing and loyal Standard Bank customer, with more than 70% of my financial commitments held with the bank. My husband and I are legally married, he also holds a private Standard Bank account, and our joint financial profile is strong, stable, and well-managed. Yet, despite our loyalty and compliance with all requirements, we are being limited without a transparent and reasonable explanation.

Our banker, Jabulani Khoza, has been exceptional and continues to support us, but it is clear that his ability to escalate or review the decision is restricted by internal business rules that do not consider our individual circumstances.

We are not willing to simply accept this outcome. We genuinely believed that Standard Bank, given our long relationship and financial history, would support us fully without unnecessary restrictions. This situation now forces us to reconsider whether Standard Bank is still the right financial partner for our long-term goals.

Given that:

Affordability is not a concern;

We meet all qualifying criteria, including those applicable to foreign national lending;

The South African spouse maintains a strong credit and banking profile;

The foreign national spouse is already an active Standard Bank customer;

We are willing to provide any further documentation, guarantees, or mitigating assurances required;

It is difficult for us to understand why our application was limited in this manner. This outcome suggests that internal policy is being app**** rigidly, without proper consideration of our joint risk profile or our longstanding loyalty to the bank.

If these limitations continue, we will be left with no choice but to consider moving our banking relationship to an institution that aligns better with our needs. This may ultimately be in our best interests if:

Our loyalty and long-term commitment are not recognised;

Internal policies outweigh fairness, transparency, and personalised assessment;

We cannot receive the level of support and trust that we have consistently shown to Standard Bank.

We have entrusted Standard Bank with our finances for many years, and we expected the same confidence and support in return. The current experience does not reflect that.

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Replies (4)
Standard Bank
Standard Bank's reply03 Dec 2025, 16:24
Official
Good day Faeeza, 

Thank you for contacting us for assistance. 

We try very hard to make every customer’s experience enjoyable, and we really regret not being able to meet your expectations this time. 

We will do our best to resolve this issue as soon as possible and find a solution that works for you. 

Our team will contact you to assist you. 

Kindest regards, 
Standard Bank Hello Peter Team 
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FP
Faeeza P's update03 Dec 2025, 21:12
Reviewer Update
I am raising this formal complaint to express my deep concern and disappointment regarding the restrictions placed on my home loan application as a South African citizen married to a foreign national. The decision to limit my bond approval to 80% — despite full affordability, compliance, loyalty, and transparency — has far greater implications than a simple loan outcome. It touches on my rights, my dignity, and the broader reality faced by many South Africans in my position.
By restricting my ability to qualify for a 100% home loan solely because I am married to a foreign national, Standard Bank is effectively limiting my rights as a South African. It places me in a disadvantaged position not because of my conduct, my affordability, or my financial history, but because of who I chose to marry — a choice rooted in love, commitment, and family. This raises serious concerns about fairness and equality.
If there is a policy or regulation that impacts South Africans who marry foreign nationals, it should be publicly communicated, easily accessible, and transparent. Yet, this information is not openly shared, not explained proactively, and not made clear during the home loan process. Many South Africans are unaware that marrying a foreign national may lead to limitations that affect their ability to build a home, build a future, and build stability. This lack of transparency is concerning and deeply unfair.
What is even more troubling is that foreign nationals who own businesses in South Africa often receive swift support, structured guidance, and clear direction when navigating financial or regulatory requirements. Yet South Africans married to foreign nationals — who are contributing to the economy, building families, and complying with every law — are met with barriers, uncer*****y, and unexplained restrictions. This contradiction does not make sense, and it raises questions about how policies are app**** and to whom they show consideration.
Marrying a foreign national is not easy. It is a long, emotionally taxing process filled with legal hurdles, documentation, interviews, investigations, and countless moments of stress. But we go through it because we love our partners and want to build a life together in this country — honestly, legally, and with commitment. We did everything right. We fought through every requirement. We stood firm through every step. Now, as we are finally in a position to build a home and a stable future, it is painful to be held back by a policy that overlooks personal capacity and loyalty.
I have always been a committed Standard Bank customer. I trust this bank with the majority of my financial life. My husband is also a Standard Bank customer. We have been loyal, patient, responsible, and cooperative. We have always stood by the bank, but now we need the bank to stand by us.
It is disheartening that internal policies can override fairness, override individual assessment, and override the lived realities of people who are simply trying to build a home in good faith. If this rule is truly linked to the South African Reserve Bank’s exchange control regulations, then why is it not shared publicly? Why do South Africans have to discover this only when they apply for a home loan? And how many others are silently affected without knowing the reason?
This issue deserves attention, transparency, and accountability. It deserves empathetic consideration of the real lives behind these applications.
If this situation continues, it may force many families like mine to reconsider whether institutions we trust are truly looking out for us. Making this public could open many eyes to what is happening and how these unseen barriers affect families who marry out of pure intention and want nothing more than to build a stable life together.
I respectfully request:
  1. A fully detailed explanation of the policy restricting 100% approval in my situation;
  2. Clarity on whether South Africans marrying foreign nationals are knowingly and openly informed of these limitations;
  3. Recognition of the emotional, financial, and social impact these decisions have on citizens;
  4. A meaningful review of my application, taking into account my rights, my conduct, and our long-standing loyalty to Standard Bank.
I ask that this matter be handled with urgency, fairness, empathy, and transparency.
FP
Faeeza P's update04 Dec 2025, 17:57
Reviewer Update
Hi Gordan, Im not sure how to reach you. I tried calling and thats taking me to private banking. I unfortunately am not receiving your emails, Im really now trying to have the issue expedited and this is causing more delays. Please let me know urgently what's going on. In the mean time I will look for another bank to assist us and for us to move our profile somewhere else. I should've checked up on LinkedIn, almost every STANDARD BANK tag is negative.
Standard Bank
Standard Bank's reply05 Dec 2025, 07:30
Official
Good day Faeeza,

We appreciate you making us aware of this. 

We want to make sure that your issue is taken care of right away. 

You have received an email from us. 

Please read over and then react appropriately. 

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Warm regards
Standard Bank Hello Peter Team
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