Picking banks

LAWRENCE SERETSE
Correspondent | Friday May 17, 2013 00:00

Anthony Kibadu (MD - AJK & Associates)For 13 years I have used Standard Chartered Bank and I'm am now attached to it. When I first joined it, it was a worldwide leader. Since I am a foreigner, there was also that aspect of accessibility. Back then it was ahead of other banks in terms of connectivity. Now its not, FNB is one of the best so far. If I were to switch banks I would look for convenience, less queues and faster transactions and systems. As we speak, I'm not quite happy with Standard Chartered because of their customer service and technology, but I still stick with it because I have a long-term rapport with them. That means I can qualify for many incentives because of my banking record.

Valerie Masundire (BA Social Sciences student at University of Botswana)I used to bank with FNB for a year and left because of poor customer service. Everyone uses FNB so the queues and transactions are just slow and stressful. Some of their tellers do not even smile. It's like they are being forced to work. This mostly happens when businesses grow - they no longer care about their customers.

They relax. Now I am using BancABC. They are nice and I am a sucker for nice things. If it looks nice, smells nice then it's probably nice. Banc ABC has these pretty colours I like, they operate from 8am to 5pm and that's the coolest thing ever. As for rates, they are just okay. Their customer service is good. They are always smiling even if it's forced, plastic and generic. It makes me feel good and happy. They have mastered the art of the generic plastic smile, its professional.

Kebonyemodisa Mmusi (Electrician at Princess Marina Hospital)I have used Barclays Bank for seven years now and I can say that I am satisfied with the customer service. They have less queues and good management. Even with the less money that I earn, I can still get a loan - this is convenient. Edmore Mphindiko(IT Technician)I have been banking with Barclays Bank since 2008. My family members have also used it since I was very young. It is sort of a family thing. I have no reason to change banks because their service is more or less the same but I'm satisfied with Barclays.