₦airaland Forum

Please Nairalanders, I need to open a new bank account very soon.
I need a bank with a good mobile app, effective atm card services (especially in terms of POS payments), and also a good ussd banking option.

Based on the above criterias, I need you guys to share your experiences with your current banks so that I can be able to get it right for once. I do not want to act based on "hearsay" I need first hand experience.

I opened my current bank account over 10 years ago with a bank that I'm very sure is the first or second leading bank in terms of branches nationwide. But my bank is so medieval with their services, they think the year is still 1975.

My bank does not even have a functioning mobile app, they have one crap on Google play that claims to support the whole of their banks across Africa (Can you imagine?) I have downloaded the app on my Huawei, Samsung and Infinix, the app is my definition of crapiness, it is not working. I could only set it up on my Samsung about a year ago, at that time it was very sluggish. About a month later, I updated and that was the end. Up till now I can't set it up on any of my phones because the app is dead. The app is as large as a Caterpillar but weaker than a mere bicycle. My bank claim to have some other vague omni whatever that I can't even find on app stores.

I have to rely on quickteller mobile app for all my mobile payments. But the problem with this option is that once there is a mobile data network bleep during a transaction, you will get an error message for a failed transaction which is fair. But my bank will always debit me instantly and they do not make an automatic reversal until after 3-4 weeks of complaining to their customer support or reporting to the nearest branch. This is not only with my quickteller app, I do a lot of POS payments with my ATM card everyday, each time I slot my card into the POS device I will always be praying that the transaction does not fail. If it fails my account will be debited instantly, everytime I will have to submit a complain and wait for 3 weeks minimum for the money to be refunded to my account.

It is the same thing when I use my ATM on other bank machines or mobile money operators. I'm sick and tired.

This have become so annoying to me. Sometimes I can have up to 7 active cases with their Advantage Banking support, their complaint resolve team is very slow and sometimes lackadaisical.

My bank also claim to have an audio ussd service that is *3-6#, a ussd service that can only be used to recharge my registered number on the account. It does nothing more. Most times, you will get debited and still receive no airtime.

The only benefit I enjoy with my bank is that they have many branches especially here in Benin city. And also they do not make illicit charges from my account.

Please my fellow nairalanders, I need to open a new bank account. Advice based on your experience, thanks.

Go for gtbank
Is a guaranty trust bank, you don't need to panic.

shamsin6300:
Go for gtbank
Is a guaranty trust back, you don't need to panic.

The worst bank so far in this country op don't try it, na yeye bank.


My advice will be on first bank, using it for more than 10years no issue, no any how charges.

And that my family bank.

ojun50:
The worst bank so far in this country op don't try it, na yeye bank.


My advice will be on first bank, using it for more than 10years no issue, no any how charges.

And that my family bank.

First bank kor.

Firstbank chop my 5k, they converted my account from savings to first instant acc. I had to come back to lagos from O town just to make my expired atm working, but all to no avail. That was in 2013.

I left the 5k for them. Even if i use my other bank app to search for my Firstbank acc details, it doesn't show.

UBA,UBA

UBA that i went to pay my school fees back then in 2011, the lady was playing game instead of attending to students that came to pay school fees. Her reply was "no service"

We took our school fees back home. Thief robbed my lodge that night, but i didn't sleep home--- I slept at a friend's place.

The next day, I went back to pay again, but met crowd. The rest na history, but i sha paid.



Fidelity bank, hmmm

I went to pay in money into my uncle's account, instead of them to answer people in cue, they started from behind, attending to their special customers. It is very bad, why not first come, first serve.


Diamond Bank, wahala.

No day dem no dey get crowd for their branch. I went to one of their branch in Alaba one day like that. I saw the bank filled with people. I thought they were playing visual. If not for one fine sexy sales girl that was the second to be attended to i begged to pay in for me, I would have been there for hours.


GTB bank

The kinda charge dem go charge you for online transaction ehh, they are too good when it comes to app.


Keystone Bank


I remember what one of their staff did for me. There was this guy i met on BBM channel back then in 2014, he claimed to sell fix match and that all his tickets normally turned out successful . I chatted him, and told him i was in. He sent his acc details and told me to pay immediately that the next game would start by 4:00pm( tuesday). As a guy way wan buy flat screen TV for school then, i decided to use out of my 10k I had at home. I took 5k to send to him, and my plan was to stake with 5K.

I set out for the bank, I entered and boom, I collect the deposit slip, filled in his details and proceeded to have it deposited. I gave the staff the deposit, all to my surprise he started advising me that i shouldn't do fixed match stuff that it's fake. How he knew I didn't know, so he told me he knew the account details I entered and it's a scam.

I took my money back from him, cus I was having double mind pay in, don't pay dem go chop you OOo. I left with my money, tore the slip and branched to one joint like that, orderd for Ofe Akwu, two goat meat, and small beans for the side. I ate and went back home.

At 6:30pm, I saw on his wall, " sorry for today's fixed match cast, my source said something happened between the coach and the players, that changed the game."

I was very happy say dem no gba mi OOo. The bank staff just saved me.

''Odili Rupert I hope those people you scammed, their money don hook you for throat"


No bank is the best, they are all the same.


Next week, I am gonna open an account with First bank, let me try them again. Just current account. I just hope my milla go dey safe.

I bank with UBA, Fidelity, and Diamond. They are all good, just that dem get customers pee lenty pee lenty.

Ina son ku duka, arin kudi ga kasuwancinmu.

Kylekent59:
First bank kor.

Firstbank chop my 5k, they converted my account from savings to first instant acc. I had to come back to lagos from O town just to make my expired atm working, but all to no avail. That was in 2013.

I left the 5k for them. Even if i use my other bank app to search for my Firstbank acc details, it doesn't show.


No bank is the best, they are all the same.

I still stand with fb

Thank you for sharing.

ojun50:
The worst bank so far in this country op don't try it, na yeye bank.


My advice will be on first bank, using it for more than 10years no issue, no any how charges.

And that my family bank.

Thanks for the advice. How is their mobile app? Is it reliable?

shamsin6300:
Go for gtbank
Is a guaranty trust back, you don't need to panic.

xdunamis:
Thanks for the advice. How is their mobile app? Is it reliable?

Everything about GTBank is reliable. They pioneered most of the technologies here. and is only Nigerian bank with Fitch long term AA Rating

Zenith Bank is number 2 and is also technology savvy.

Fidelity bank has good e channels.

Ok. Thanks for the details. I appreciate

datola:
Everything about GTBank is reliable. They pioneered most of the technologies here. and is only Nigerian bank with Fitch long term AA Rating

Zenith Bank is number 2 and is also technology savvy.

Ok. But location is a problem, none of their branch is close to my place.

ifex370:
Fidelity bank has good e channels.

xdunamis:
Ok. But location is a problem, none of their branch is close to my place.

Where is that please?

Kylekent59:
First bank kor.

Firstbank chop my 5k, they converted my account from savings to first instant acc. I had to come back to lagos from O town just to make my expired atm working, but all to no avail. That was in 2013.

I left the 5k for them. Even if i use my other bank app to search for my Firstbank acc details, it doesn't show.

UBA,UBA

UBA that i went to pay my school fees back then in 2011, the lady was playing game instead of attending to students that came to pay school fees. Her reply was "no service"

We took our school fees back home. Thief robbed my lodge that night, but i didn't sleep home--- I slept at a friend's place.

The next day, I went back to pay again, but met crowd. The rest na history, but i sha paid.



Fidelity bank, hmmm

I went to pay in money into my uncle's account, instead of them to answer people in cue, they started from behind, attending to their special customers. It is very bad, why not first come, first serve.


Diamond Bank, wahala.

No day dem no dey get crowd for their branch. I went to one of their branch in Alaba one day like that. I saw the bank filled with people. I thought they were playing visual. If not for one fine sexy sales girl that was the second to be attended to i begged to pay in for me, I would have been there for hours.


GTB bank

The kinda charge dem go charge you for online transaction ehh, they are too good when it comes to app.


Keystone Bank


I remember what one of their staff did for me. There was this guy i met on BBM channel back then in 2014, he claim to sell fix match and that all his ticked normally enter. I chatted him, and told him i was in. He sent his acc details and told me to pay immediately that the next game would start by 4:00pm( tuesday). As a guy way wan buy flat screen TV for school then, i decided to use out of my 10k I had at home. I took 5k to send to him, and my plan was to stake with 5K.

I set out for the bank, I entered and boom, I collect the deposit slip, filled in his details and proceeded to have it deposited. I gave the staff the deposit, all to my surprise he started advising me that i shouldn't do fixed match stuff that it's fake. How he knew I didn't know, so he told me he knew the account details I entered and it's a scam.

I took my money back from him, cus I was having double mind pay in, don't pay dem go chop you OOo. I left with my money, tore the slip and branched to one joint like that, orderd for Ofe Akwu, two goat meat, and small beans for the side. I ate and went back home.

At 6:30pm, I saw on his wall, " sorry for today's fixed match cast, my source said something happened between the coach and the players, that changed the game."

I was very happy say dem no gba mi OOo. The bank staff just saved me.

''Odili Rupert I hope those people you scammed, their money don hook you for throat"


No bank is the best, they are all the same.


Next week, I am gonna open an account with First bank, let me try them again. Just current account. I just hope my milla go dey safe.

I bank with UBA, Fidelity, and Diamond. They are all good, just that dem get customers pee lenty pee lenty.

Ina son ku duka, arin kudi ga kasuwancinmu.

FirstBank cant convert savings to instant rather they convert FirstInstant to Savings based on some conditions and to Enhance your banking experience.

OP, FirstBank has all the qualities you mentioned above.
Widespread Branches, highest no of ATM card holders in Naija (over 10m) over 9.5m ussd users,reliable internet banking etc

Go with FBN

Wow, you have some pretty experience with these banks.
As for the Diamond bank, I have also noticed what you said. Maybe it's because they don't have lots of branches.

Kylekent59:
First bank kor.

Firstbank chop my 5k, they converted my account from savings to first instant acc. I had to come back to lagos from O town just to make my expired atm working, but all to no avail. That was in 2013.

I left the 5k for them. Even if i use my other bank app to search for my Firstbank acc details, it doesn't show.

UBA,UBA

UBA that i went to pay my school fees back then in 2011, the lady was playing game instead of attending to students that came to pay school fees. Her reply was "no service"

We took our school fees back home. Thief robbed my lodge that night, but i didn't sleep home--- I slept at a friend's place.

The next day, I went back to pay again, but met crowd. The rest na history, but i sha paid.



Fidelity bank, hmmm

I went to pay in money into my uncle's account, instead of them to answer people in cue, they started from behind, attending to their special customers. It is very bad, why not first come, first serve.


Diamond Bank, wahala.

No day dem no dey get crowd for their branch. I went to one of their branch in Alaba one day like that. I saw the bank filled with people. I thought they were playing visual. If not for one fine sexy sales girl that was the second to be attended to i begged to pay in for me, I would have been there for hours.


GTB bank

The kinda charge dem go charge you for online transaction ehh, they are too good when it comes to app.


Keystone Bank


I remember what one of their staff did for me. There was this guy i met on BBM channel back then in 2014, he claim to sell fix match and that all his ticked normally enter. I chatted him, and told him i was in. He sent his acc details and told me to pay immediately that the next game would start by 4:00pm( tuesday). As a guy way wan buy flat screen TV for school then, i decided to use out of my 10k I had at home. I took 5k to send to him, and my plan was to stake with 5K.

I set out for the bank, I entered and boom, I collect the deposit slip, filled in his details and proceeded to have it deposited. I gave the staff the deposit, all to my surprise he started advising me that i shouldn't do fixed match stuff that it's fake. How he knew I didn't know, so he told me he knew the account details I entered and it's a scam.

I took my money back from him, cus I was having double mind pay in, don't pay dem go chop you OOo. I left with my money, tore the slip and branched to one joint like that, orderd for Ofe Akwu, two goat meat, and small beans for the side. I ate and went back home.

At 6:30pm, I saw on his wall, " sorry for today's fixed match cast, my source said something happened between the coach and the players, that changed the game."

I was very happy say dem no gba mi OOo. The bank staff just saved me.

''Odili Rupert I hope those people you scammed, their money don hook you for throat"


No bank is the best, they are all the same.


Next week, I am gonna open an account with First bank, let me try them again. Just current account. I just hope my milla go dey safe.

I bank with UBA, Fidelity, and Diamond. They are all good, just that dem get customers pee lenty pee lenty.

Ina son ku duka, arin kudi ga kasuwancinmu.

Thank you, I get it.

juddexy2:
FirstBank cant convert savings to instant rather they convert FirstInstant to Savings based on some conditions and to Enhance your banking experience.

OP, FirstBank has all the qualities you mentioned above.
Widespread Branches, highest no of ATM card holders in Naija (over 10m) over 9.5m ussd users,reliable internet banking etc

Go with FBN