Which Nigerian Bank Do you Use and Why?

What of if someone uses more than 1 bank? As far as i know Nigerian banks do not reply email enquiries, their support is lousy.

One good thing about GT and Zenith is that of their network transaction.

You can withdraw or deposit anywhere in the country and they have branches nation wide.

I don't have to carry cash around.

The list should have included others at the least...

Anyways, from the above lot, I used to use STB, because to give credit to whom it is due, they were the first to have an efficient online system, and for those of us who look ahead , that was extremely important.
Lately, I have ignored that account completely (account balance N2257.13) because of the fact that when you enter an STB branch nowadays, it is like a market, and it takes you forever to do what you want. GTB is heading in that direction, I know because my chic banks there and I have gone with her to the bank on occassion.
Currently, I have 2 functional accounts, my salary account is with FCMB, and the Gateway Bank account is the one I tend to use more often because as a former worker there I tend to get good treatment whenever I go to any branch.
I am thinking of reactivating my Diamond Bank account though because of the ATM cards.

My first ever account was with AfriBank. And it is dead!

i use STB, there close to my house, office, church, girlfreinds house, eatries, clubs, gym, on my way travelling, in my state, my hometown  ......they got ATM's,  tell me why i shouldnt bank with them.. i also av accounts with some of my clients banks, they force you to open accounts with them if they av to give you a contract .....hiss.

In my own case, i use First City Monument Bank (FCMB) for business and Assurance bank, now a member of the Five-Bank Mega ASTRA Bank.

They both operate online banking and i can hardly notice whether or not they charge for online transactions, if they do please let me know.

But you were one of them, so poor before?

Now join me in Zenith bank where we make profit galore.

I use GTBank (Guaranty).  I do not like Zenith because they don't seem professional enough for me.. You just can't compare them to GTB though they are quite profitable.  STB is a no-go area for me.  I always smell 'corrupt' each time I enter the bank.  Reminds me of Nigerian ministries.

One bank I would love to try is Bond bank (they are merging with IBTC).  They seem to have a concept that could compete with GTB.  Intercontinental Bank too seems to be cool.

My Case:

After Charles Soludo announced the N25Bn min Shareholder's fund for banks in Nigeria, sometime mid 2004, I decided to choose the banks to bank with. My decision was to be based on capital base, e-banking, consumer products and national spread.

I called Standard Chartered Nigeria.
They gave me the basic requirements and asked me to feel free to go to any of their offices for an application form. I opened a USD account with them in less than 20 mins. I was given a pin for SMS banking same day, and I was asked to came back in 2 weeks time for my VISA Electron Card. It was ready and waiting for me when I was back there in 2 weeks time.

Cash withdrawal since then takes me an average of 10mins.

My ratings:

Customer service: Excellent
Ebanking: well they still don't (to the best of my knowledge) have internet banking for retail clients, so I'll rate: Average
Spread: Poor (Only in Lagos,PH and Abuja)


I needed a bank with more spread, and to open a Naira Account. After going through websites, I went to STB. January 2005.

I went to the new branch in 23rd festac, asked to open a Virtual PAL account, was told I could only do that at the Head Office by an Ignorant and Rude Customer Service officer. Not believing that nonsense, I went to the branch in 21rd.

The forms were given to me, I opened the account, applied for Internet Banking and an ATM card.
Then the story starts...

By March, I still didn't have my Internet banking login details nor the ATM card.

After phone calls and emails, I finally got the Internet Banking working in April.
I only got the ATM card in July. ie 6 months later.
Although a friend of mine got his ATM card after 3 weeks of applying for one, it boils down to consistency.
The bank does not respond to on-line inquiries. At least not to my enquiries.

My ratings:

Customer Service: Very Poor.
Ebanking: Good. ie when you eventually start using it. probably after 4 months.
Spread: Excellent.
Banking Environment: Poor (marketplace)


I decided to bank with another bank with as much spread as STB. I couldn't handle the crowd at the banking halls, for even to deposit money.
I had cause to deposit money at Zenith for someone. It took me an hour to do that at their Maitama branch in Abuja. Zenith was out of my list.
I went to Afribank in Abuja, couldn't get into the hall. Crowd!
I went into GTB in Garki. Hmm, nice banking environment. I browsed their website, was impressed.

I opened a savings account, and as usual applied for all their ebanking products. (Nov 2005)
On NoV 16th, I was called by a staff of the bank to make necessary enquiries about my account. I was impressed at such verification. It was something I experienced only outside Nigeria.
Well, Guys as at today, I am yet to receive my Internet banking details or my ATM card.

Rating:

Customer Service: Poor
Ebanking: no ratings. not been able to use it.
Spread: Good.
Banking Environment: Good (At Abuja)


In summary, although i did not try most other banks, of course this was because they didn't meet most of my criteria as stated above, Customer Service Delivery in Nigerian banks, i would say is averagely poor.

I used to work for Fortune Intl Bank, and the Customer Service Delivery we provided was far much better.


This is my Opinion.

Yes gentleone,
I totally agree with you on Ecobank. I have had cause to work on a project at Ecobank, and in most of their affiliates across west Africa, especially in Abidjan, Conakry and Lome. They have a standard, which all the affiliates adhere to. I have an account with them, but don't use it because their Internet Banking is not up and going, and their ATMs are not linked to Interswitch, so I am short on spread.

First Bank; Well, I am very impressed with their IT revolution. They have the largest ATM spread etc. But I was a bit sceptical about customer service. Anyway, you have just confirmed my fears.

When they eventually merge with Ecobank, I'll definitely pay them a visit.

I ve been banking with TIB(Trans international bank) allen ave since 2001 and its been hell because:

it is a Yoruba bank, the staff can't speak english.

Easy to deposit, hard to withdraw. Till this day my money is trapped there and i can't get it out.

No cash in vault.

Unprofessional staff

impossible to transfer funds without problems. Etc

GTBank because they fast and their branch network is efficient,plus you get to know every transaction that takes place in your a/c via email.

 I Used Oceanic Bank and Intercontinental bank, both banks are pretty fine and very very close to my crip and they attend to you ASAP when ever you go in for transaction.

lol @ looks foreign

Union bank , way out of this world indeed! they're old school if u ask me.

GTB!!! 4 ever.why?!! great Customer service,professional Youthful feel and they got a way of making you feel special!!
Even when you have less than a thousand with them.( )
Zero account opening  balance .i use their ATM &  online banking most them have never failed me!!
i will run personal and biz account with them and  always recommend client and friend too!!(i guess i can make some money doing that )
Plenti Gbosa!!!4 Guaranty Turst Bank!!!
Zenith - jack of all trades so the can't best at any.Something just don't feel right about them same with STB.
they are like wearing a fake Addias!! to a corporate dinner.you know its not about just being there!!
Bond bank used to trip me too( until consolidation strip'd them off!!)

well, i heard so much about GT bank, i decided to open an account with them and guess what? they disappointed me!
i had already filled the form before coming to the bank and they still kept me waiting for like 30mins! in the end i was told to come back for the account number and couldn't even deposit the money i had with me. i told them they were just like union bank at the end of the day!