Tired.

I'm someone who has never defaulted to writing negative reviews online; because I know times are tough and everyone is trying their best. You should know that I'm writing this out of desperation and sheer exhaustion.

In early February of this year, I app**** online for a Standard Bank Business account. I did everything the site prompted me to, including uploading my personal documentation to make the process smoother. I was assured someone will come back to me.

A few weeks later, on the 24th of February, I called customer support to find out why I had not heard anything back, and they said they had not received my application, even though I had received an automated confirmation email. I decided to ignore that hiccup in good faith, and proceeded to open the account on the phone with a woman who sounded like she did not want to help me at all.

Fast forward to March, and my business starts working with clients. I am a creative consultant with clients all around the world, and the projects happen quickly. I'm sharing my new business bank details with clients, thinking that it would be fine. A few weeks into March, I wonder why I haven't heard back from my bank regarding my bank card, as I need to set up my online banking so I can transact properly. I, of course was informed that I would receive an SMS when it was ready, so why wasn't I receiving one?

Again, in good faith I chose to take time out of my already busy day to sit at the Rosebank Branch only to find my card had been ready a week before. The lady who helped me was very nice, and even warned me herself that the call centre is not a helpful place, and it's better to just be in branch. I laughed along, thinking my troubles would be over.

I get home, ready to open my online banking. I try the first time. Unsuccessful. Try again, unsuccessful. I begrudgingly call customer support only to find that my account was blocked. The lady on the phone asks me "who is your business banker?" My business banker? I haven't received anything but a welcome back from SB and I'm supposed to know my business banker? I said I don't know who it is, I just want to know why my account has been blocked. She says "well, it's been blocked for *****".

You can imagine my surprise that I have not received ANY communications that my account was blocked, and not even any reasons why. I had to find out from a simple call regarding online banking. And so I'm directed from one department to the next, until I get to *****.

***** says it's because I received an international payment. I say yes because I have clients overseas and I did not think that would be an issue. They say yeah the department in charge will let you know what you need to do. I hang up, wait a few days, and the department in charge has said nothing, not even an email with a case number.

So I call again. Almost every day since, I have been calling to no avail. I was hopeful at some point when a helpful guy named Leslie told me to send a copy of my invoice to said client, as well as a bank confirmation letter from their side to prove that it was a legal transaction. I comp****. Silence again. It was only a few days later when I found out that the ***** people had received my proof documents, and I must still wait. I'd like to reiterate at this point that I have still not received any proactive communications from the bank aside from a welcome pack, and all of this information is because I'm waiting on the line when I should be working.

It is the 25th of March, and I feel helpless. I cannot pay my bills or use my account the way any small business professional would because I have heard nothing.

I am ready to close the account. I just need someone at Standard Bank to release my hard earned income, so I can find a bank that will communicate with me. I don't want to make any more calls because it is exhausting and a little bit dehumanising. I can't imagine how many others are feeling frustrated.

I am not interested in any platitudes, and any additional waiting days. I just want access to my income, and to close this account. If anyone has a better experience with another bank's business accounts, please share.