First Bank: ‘Giving Heart Attacks With No Apology’

Michael Adeshina

Nigerians who entrusted their financial well-being to First Bank of Nigeria have taken to various social media platforms to express their profound disillusionment and exasperation with the bank’s apparent lack of empathy.

The customers’ frustrations reached a boiling point after the bank failed to issue a public apology or explanation for the continuous failure in transactions, which has been plaguing the institution for an extended period.

A meticulous examination conducted by PM News on Thursday revealed that customers have been vociferously complaining on the bank’s social media platforms for several days, with their grievances ranging from trapped funds and unwarranted debits to an inability to facilitate transfers or receive monetary inflows.

The genesis of the predicament can be traced back to the period after the bank’s announcement regarding a system migration.

In a statement issued by the bank in October 2024, it was revealed that the institution would be transitioning from its current procurement and financial platforms to a new cloud-based platform designed to provide additional capabilities and benefits.

The statement further indicated that certain activities and transactions would need to be suspended during the cut-over period to facilitate a seamless and efficient migration process.

However, what was initially anticipated to result in temporary service disruptions has now devolved into a protracted and inexplicable debacle, leaving numerous Nigerians in a state of utter bewilderment and frustration.

A customer identified as Monica Okenyi, who has grown increasingly exasperated with the bank’s subpar operations, posted a scathing critique on the bank’s page: “How ruthless can you people be? For the past 24 hours there have been numerous complaints about your service and not a single official post to acknowledge it and calm the situation down. I no really blame una o. We live in a lawless country where almost everything is not working otherwise why won’t you people be so daft?”

Another customer, PraiseGod David, expressed his disappointment and frustration with the bank’s network, stating simply: “What’s happening with first bank. The network is terrible.”

Sunday Olamide Adams shared a personal anecdote, recounting how the bank’s technical issues had resulted in him being forced to pay for a meal twice, owing to the fact that his First Bank app was malfunctioning.

He wrote: “For you to make me wash plates where I went to eat and still allow me to pay double money just because my first bank app was not working and the woman selling the food think I was lying. My biggest regret so far is having only first bank as my only bank.”

Lawrence Adejoh lamented the fact that he had yet to receive his salary, owing to the bank’s technical issues, stating: “I haven’t been paid my salary because am using first bank, when all my colleagues have received alert… What is wrong with this bank?”

Anietimfon Rita said: “I made a transfer using the mobile app to buy something since yesterday my money has been hanging what I went to get I couldn’t get it. What’s all this?”

Despite the plethora of complaints and grievances expressed by its customers, First Bank has yet to issue an official response or apology.

Instead, the bank has continued to advertise its various banking programs, seemingly oblivious to the plight of its beleaguered customers, who continue to lament and express their dissatisfaction in the comment section.

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