National Bank frustrates customers during festivities

National Bank of Malawi has been a flop as far as delivery of its services to customers for the festivie period, customers say.

National Bank has been a let down
National Bank has been a let down
NB customers on an ATM que
NB customers on an ATM que

A number of customers who spoke to Nyasa Times, and others who took their rants to social media platforms such as Facebook said the bank’s services especially auto teller machines (ATMs) and online banking services had been a “frustration.”

Nyasa Times learnt that scores of Malawians living in the diaspora failed to transfer money to their relations back home as the bank’s system was off.

The system, we’ve learnt, has been intermittent since the evening of December 23. Until now, the system remains down – with just a few transactions succeeding out of sheer luck.

Gideon Masapula, a UK based Malawian, complained he had wanted to transfer money to his relatives but when he opened their website it kept telling him that there was “a database connection error (2): could not connect to MySQL.”

Added Masapula: “Unfortunately, I needed to make an urgent transaction. Another problem is that I can’t transfer money to a new beneficiary using banknet online.”

He wondered “why they [National Bank of Malawi] introduced online services which are not effective. Updating of bank transactions and balances takes longer than expected resulting in inconsistencies between online and actual balances.”

On his part Zandivuta Kankhuni, a lecturer at Mzuzu University (Mzuni) expressed his frustration regarding the bank thus: “I used to believe in this bank but somehow they are losing me [for] their out of service ATMs and non-functional online platforms.”

Kankhuni posted on Facebook that “those close to the [bank’s] top dogs should tell them so that they sit back and reflect on the essence of their existence [which is] customer satisfaction.

A number of students across the country also expressed similar frustrations.

Andrew Simwimba, a law student at the Catholic University of Malawi, who said used the bank’s Mo626 to buy airtime accused the bank of unrealistic deductions.

“Sometimes the system deducts without giving our airtime [and] it looks stupid to go to the bank and claim a K200 or K500 or K1000 each time. But for a full year this could be thousands,” he said.

Nyasa Times could not get through the bank’s media relations team as the telephone number available on their website went unanswered after several attempts.

Later, we learnt, most of the bank’s personnel were not available because of Christmas holidays.

A questionnaire Nyasa Times sent to the Institute of Bankers in Malawi (IBM)  had not been responded as we went online.

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Mwako
Mwako
8 years ago

No matter what, but its my bank for 20 years but very tough on giving out loans even if you have a valid security, car, house etc.

nyapala
nyapala
8 years ago

These are the works of Chikaonda. Press inatha kale kale.

Nangozo
Nangozo
8 years ago

Though I do not have an account with NB, but I have suffered a number of days when I had to deposit money for relations. The minimum amount of time I spent was 2 hours.

DADA
DADA
8 years ago

Nothing new – Progress …lol!

palasiman
palasiman
8 years ago

3 ATMS one working others AM OUT OF SERVICE why putting 3 ATMS
Not ony national Bank but more Banks in malawi its like they have one manager who control them

Tengupenya
Tengupenya
8 years ago

The online banking services at National Bank used to be satisfactory UNTIL when they changed the system. There are SERIOUS change problem at NBM!!!

ephrahim
ephrahim
8 years ago

I do not understand why Mr Kapito and Cama is not looking more into our Banks. The most of them have nowadays IT platforms , which are not functional! ATM are duty free, but no bank makes an effort to install more! Even banks recording 3 digit anual profit rates, It doesn’t reflect on their services towards the public ! On top of it , there is a extra charge for each and everything. For example Internet banking , you have to pay for each transaction, even the banks themself advertise with it, as a way to run away from… Read more »

ineyo
ineyo
8 years ago

I used mo626 to send money they just debted my accout but no receipient is not credited till now what a disappointment

bevulo
bevulo
8 years ago

Tis observatn is very true….NB’s service delivery is so pathetic…in Thyolo for example, the hrs this ATM is operational in a day re less than hrs wen its down, thereby leavg long quez mst of thi tyms…Kodi ATM imatopa nkumafuna kupuma ngati munthu? osangochichotsapo tilimbe mtima bwanji? U can’t plan to cash an attend to smethings in tym with service deliveries like thse, noooo,

Phinifolo
Phinifolo
8 years ago

Mungochokako nonse ndikhaleko ndekha ndiye zizindiyendera nsanga. Demeti

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