Standard Bank SA Reviews 

Standard Bank Has Held Our Funds for 13 Days Without Providing a Clear Explanation

My husband, Robert Neal Kettlewell, received an incoming transfer of R245,620.10 on 28 May 2026. The funds are reflected on his Standard Bank account, yet after 13 days they remain unavailable for use.

During this period, we have dealt with multiple Standard Bank departments, including Forex, Fraud, Complaints Resolution, branch staff, and various escalation teams. We have received multiple reference numbers and conflicting explanations, but no clear answer as to why our funds remain restricted.

On 11 June 2026, I participated in a conference call with Standard Bank representative Portia Mosia and Carol from Navy Federal Credit Union, the originating bank in the United States.

During that call, Standard Bank advised that it required confirmation from Navy Federal. However, when asked when Standard Bank had allegedly contacted Navy Federal, no date could be provided. No proof of any verification request was produced, and the Standard Bank representative was unable to explain when the request was sent, how it was sent, or whether any response had been received.

Most concerning was that the Navy Federal representative appeared unaware of any prior contact from Standard Bank regarding this transaction.

If Standard Bank had legitimate concerns regarding the transaction, why were the funds not returned to the originating institution within a reasonable period? Alternatively, why have the funds remained restricted for more than 13 days without a final determination, a clear explanation, or a resolution?

At present, the funds are neither available to the account holder nor returned to the remitting bank. We have effectively been deprived of access to our own funds while receiving little meaningful information regarding the status of the investigation.

This delay has adversely affected a residential property transfer transaction and has caused significant inconvenience, financial prejudice, and emotional distress.

We are simply requesting transparency, accountability, and the release of funds that have been reflected on the account since 28 May 2026.

Reference Numbers: Multiple references issued by Standard Bank in relation to the same transaction.

Amount: R245,620.10
Date Credited: 28 May 2026

I am already regretting my decision less than seven days after opening my account. On day one, there were delays at the Winifred branch. On day three, I went to the Maponya branch to activate online banking, but I was told there was an issue with my captured details and it could not be completed. Today, I returned to the Winifred branch and was told there were no issues; the online banking was activated, but now when I log in, I cannot proceed because it says my contact number is incorrect, and the account balance does not match the one I received via text message.

Disingenuous, likely duplicitous. They don’t even bother responding. Business banking is a joke, personal banking not far behind. They do not do what they say they will do, and heavily overcharge.

I visited a Standard Bank Branch yesterda to request change for R200 to keep in my Car for Car Guards. I was told unless I held a business Account I would be charged R100 for the Branch visit and R15 per hundred Rand of change. I have banked with SB since 1975 and hold a Market Linked Account, Current and Home Loan Account - I was so disappointed my Bank would not assist with change. When I asked why the young lady at Fourways Mall branch explained as a non business account holder I can approach supermarkets to assist me with R50/R100 notes for my Car Guards, to which I responded SB are paying you too much if you can afford to offer such notes to the Car Gusrds. When I left the Branch I felt sad that Standard Bank’s customer service has decreased to Zero.

Had a wonderful service from Emihle Nthandeki thank you so much for going above and beyond for my issue

I opened a Non Res account so I could transfer money for my elderly mum in S.Africa but the past 3 years I can barely say I have used this account due to challenges trying to log in online. It keeps bloody asking me to switch back to old banking site which I bloody dont know. I have changed my online password several times and I get penalised for non use of account but I do not use it because it does not enable any use. If I am lucky to transfer money from my UK account it takes days if not weeks for them to clear a little amount such as R3000 - R5k, honestly? I am just going to close the account because its pointless. And when you phone SA to get issues resolved it takes ages. I know this is African service but surely a global brand like this should do better. Its a waste of time opening these NonRes accounts.

I am dissatisfied with Standard Bank Homeowners Insurance.

I lodged a geyser claim on 16 April and only received a response days later. Tshwarananang Plumbers eventually came out, but refused to replace the geyser in its original position, claiming they did not have enough materials. They suggested installing it on my Harvey tile roof, which I had due to a previous leak issue at another property.

I asked for installation at the back of the house (out of sight), but they again refused due to “lack of materials.” They then suggested the parapet wall and showed me a photo. I agreed, simply asking that it be placed slightly deeper out of sight. At that point, they became unwilling to continue and left the job incomplete.

On top of this, my wife and I have called 0860 123 444 daily, waiting 20–30 minutes each time with no answer, despite being told assistance would come within 10 minutes. We have documented these calls.

There is clearly a lack of service, communication, and accountability between Standard Bank Insurance and their contractors. This has been a frustrating and unacceptable experience.

Mbongi at SB Longbeach Mall is a star.
She twice had to rescue my online banking and app due to some technical errors at SB.
Still waiting for help from Private Banking as my 2 private banking connections are both out of office.
Flew to UK and app still working but no online banking

Had money taken out of my account and tried to reverse it. Nope, not happen. Decided "okay fine I'll try going into the bank","sorry sir, there's nothing we can do on our side".
Then I emailed and phone standard fraud line. Nope they can't do anything, but it gets better it happened again,luckily I changed bank accounts so no money was taken out but I was charged a rejection fee and when I tried again to get my money back they kept saying that no money was taken out. They kept saying that for the 2nd month it happened but not the first month. I had to fight to explain that it was the first month that's the issue and not the second month.

Overall standard bank can't do nothing for me. Fraud occurs and they can't do anything about it.
Stay away!!

Lets just say: home loan or bond service is bad. Funeral insurance is forever shocking. Their branches level of service is forever shocking, miss leading.branch staff is disgusting. System put in place is worse than any other bank. If you want my 2 cents advise. Close your account with Standard Bank and go elsewhere.

International inward funds basically non existing - No proper client service system in place. You are just a number in a que, no emails being answered IF you phone them make sure you have a good minutes package since waiting time is between 45 min to 65min with ZERO guarantee you may be assisted. ATMs and branches limited. Personal bankers seem to be on holiday most of the time.

This is one of the most horrible banks I have ever been with, apart from everything else they charge me for, which is literally made up. I called yesterday to get a quote for adding my dad to my existing funeral policy. After getting the price, I made it clear that it was too much and I would keep the policy as is. To my surprise the competent agent added my dad anyway, taking my premium from R130 to R700 and odd something, i call today to get this fixed, i was met with being transfered from one person to another, explaining the above to each person i eas blindly trasnfered to, and just when i thought i finally got to someone who can assist, they were in training and knew nothing about what they are doing. Am still stuck with this issue, I can't change banks due to all the things I have tied to them. STANDARD BANK IS A HORRIBLE BANK,

Impossible to sendback my money from Standard to my international bank (which where my money came from). One person "did not speak english", callcenter online clicked me, noonr answering their email another teller told me to go to another bank office.

If i could give you 0 stars i will!!

Banking app down, balances reduced to zero with no notifications today 1st April 2026. Worse bank guaranteed, banker sold me a facility and said no fees except service fee only to find out there is a monthly untilized fee. Did not cancel because paid a 24k initiation fee.

Home load debit order from the incorrect account had to call in and visit the branch after hours to get any assistance.

Pathetic service as a bank

NOUGHT, a big fat ZERO for Standard Bank of South Africa.
NEVER send foreign currency using this bank.
Funds went missing
No payment messages were received
The only assistance received was after multiple escalations over 3 days
The funds and the fees are removed from my account and cannot be found by the receiving bank in North America.
A bank which cannot be trusted to send your money is nobody you should use.
The maximum of 5 days is exceeded and the funds are still not found
I am still no wiser as to why no messages during the transaction
SIES SBSA

Consultant conducts herself professionally and she’s quite good at what she does. Communication skills is 100,
Technical 100
Evaton branch standard bank
Consultant: Ntebaleng Sekhetha

Thank you

I really appreciate the help that I got from the bank even though I couldn't get my money back but the consultant Ntebaleng Sekhetha really helped me. Keep it up to the staff or branch of evaton mall

At my branch, Ceres in the Western Cape, I got the best service.Ceres Branch, l want to commend you on your customer services.That bankers go out of their way to help you. And this experience is ongoing for 14 years, everytime.

The money from my account was stolen, all of it and it’s been 2 months already but everytime I call I’m only being told that they are still investigating which is I don’t understand because clearly this is fraud just that they don’t care with their customers!!!