Based on recent customer reviews, Bidvest Bank faces severe and widespread criticism across virtually every area of its customer experience. The overwhelming majority of feedback describes account suspensions without explanation, missing funds that take weeks to resolve, unresponsive customer service channels, and a digital banking ecosystem that leaves customers locked out. Occasional praise for named staff members provides the only bright spots in an otherwise deeply troubled picture.
Top Strengths:
- •Staff & Branch Experience: A small number of customers praise individual staff members by name, such as Indran Chetty, Mohlomi Lelimo, and Ofentse Marumo, for exceptional professionalism, follow-through, and going above and beyond to resolve complex issues.
Replied to 4.166666666666666% of negative reviews
Typically takes less than 1h 4m to reply
TrustIndex
1.9
Score
Avg Reply
14
Hours
NPS Score
-77
Recommended: Unlikely
Replied to 4.166666666666666% of negative reviews
Typically takes less than 1h 4m to reply
Apr '25 - Mar '26
Recent reviews (78)
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Used this business recently? Share your experience to help others decide.
Share Your ExperiencePopular mentions
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Bidvest Bank the worst bank
Bidvest has frozen my business banking account due to "FICA" requirements. Their system says its only due on 5 July 2027. I received no prior warning at all. Just freeze. As is perfectly normal for this pathetic bank. This is not the first time they have done it. I also cannot get a reference number from them to provide to the Banking Ombudsman as "We don't give out reference numbers for complaints, you can use my name"- says the call centre person. DO NOT have an account there, it is NOT safe.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Bidvest Bank the worst bank
Bidvest has frozen my business banking account due to "FICA" requirements. Their system says its only due on 5 July 2027. I received no prior warning at all. Just freeze. As is perfectly normal for this pathetic bank. This is not the first time they have done it. I also cannot get a reference number from them to provide to the Banking Ombudsman as "We don't give out reference numbers for complaints, you can use my name"- says the call centre person. DO NOT have an account there, it is NOT safe.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Funds received but not released – international payment delayed while travelling for work
I am writing this complaint because I have spent an entire afternoon trying to access funds that had already arrived through an international transfer while I was travelling for business, and despite complying with every request made by the bank the payment has still not been released. When international payments are delayed in this way it creates serious disruption for a client who relies on timely access to funds while conducting business, and the way this situation has been handled raises serious concerns about the level of support and operational efficiency currently being provided by Bidvest Bank. Yesterday I spent the entire afternoon trying to locate the funds and determine what needed to be done in order for the payment to be released, and during this process I attempted to resolve the issue through the chat system. Unfortunately the experience was extremely frustrating because in the middle of the conversation the support agent simply disappeared and the chat was closed without any explanation, which meant that the entire process had to be restarted again from the beginning. During this process I interacted with two representatives, Precious N and Praiseworth G, and the lack of continuity and assistance during those exchanges contributed significantly to the delays and confusion surrounding the release of the funds. After several attempts I eventually managed to reach someone through the telephone line, which itself is not always easy to access because the line frequently does not connect. During that conversation I was informed that once the mandate form was signed the funds would be released, and I immediately comp**** by completing and signing the required mandate documentation without delay. At that point I was then informed that the payment could not be processed because the team responsible for releasing the funds had already finished processing payments for the day and that the transfer would therefore only be completed the following morning. Naturally I expected that the matter would be resolved quickly today, however by the afternoon the funds had still not been released and I once again found myself chasing the bank to understand where the payment was and why it had not been processed as promised. This situation creates the impression that customers must repeatedly chase the bank simply to gain access to funds that already belong to them, which is extremely concerning when dealing with international business transactions where timing is often critical. The lack of continuity in communication, the fact that support agents disappear in the middle of active chats, and the apparent absence of urgency in processing payments even after all requested documentation has been submitted raises serious concerns about the quality of customer service and operational reliability currently being experienced. I hope this matter can be resolved quickly and professionally, however if the situation is not addressed promptly and a clear explanation is not provided regarding the delay in releasing funds that have already been received, I will have no choice but to escalate the matter further through the appropriate regulatory and consumer-protection channels in South Africa, as delays of this nature while conducting international business transactions are simply not acceptable. Antonio Carpanese
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Funds received but not released – international payment delayed while travelling for work
I am writing this complaint because I have spent an entire afternoon trying to access funds that had already arrived through an international transfer while I was travelling for business, and despite complying with every request made by the bank the payment has still not been released. When international payments are delayed in this way it creates serious disruption for a client who relies on timely access to funds while conducting business, and the way this situation has been handled raises serious concerns about the level of support and operational efficiency currently being provided by Bidvest Bank. Yesterday I spent the entire afternoon trying to locate the funds and determine what needed to be done in order for the payment to be released, and during this process I attempted to resolve the issue through the chat system. Unfortunately the experience was extremely frustrating because in the middle of the conversation the support agent simply disappeared and the chat was closed without any explanation, which meant that the entire process had to be restarted again from the beginning. During this process I interacted with two representatives, Precious N and Praiseworth G, and the lack of continuity and assistance during those exchanges contributed significantly to the delays and confusion surrounding the release of the funds. After several attempts I eventually managed to reach someone through the telephone line, which itself is not always easy to access because the line frequently does not connect. During that conversation I was informed that once the mandate form was signed the funds would be released, and I immediately comp**** by completing and signing the required mandate documentation without delay. At that point I was then informed that the payment could not be processed because the team responsible for releasing the funds had already finished processing payments for the day and that the transfer would therefore only be completed the following morning. Naturally I expected that the matter would be resolved quickly today, however by the afternoon the funds had still not been released and I once again found myself chasing the bank to understand where the payment was and why it had not been processed as promised. This situation creates the impression that customers must repeatedly chase the bank simply to gain access to funds that already belong to them, which is extremely concerning when dealing with international business transactions where timing is often critical. The lack of continuity in communication, the fact that support agents disappear in the middle of active chats, and the apparent absence of urgency in processing payments even after all requested documentation has been submitted raises serious concerns about the quality of customer service and operational reliability currently being experienced. I hope this matter can be resolved quickly and professionally, however if the situation is not addressed promptly and a clear explanation is not provided regarding the delay in releasing funds that have already been received, I will have no choice but to escalate the matter further through the appropriate regulatory and consumer-protection channels in South Africa, as delays of this nature while conducting international business transactions are simply not acceptable. Antonio Carpanese
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
#joke2026 Divorce #Spot Money SA gets shown the door by #Bidvest Bank Ltd.. #just a theory not factual. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I wish I did my research before signing up to Spot SA. To be quite honest I saw it was affiliated to Bidvest Bank as you see below. And this alone assured me i was in good hands. Little did I know. Upon the recent outage on the spot money app, this has proven to be my threshold and I cannot go on silently dealing with what seems to be a divorce between spouses. Spot was born from Virgin money and we all know what happened to virgin mobile. This is why I said little did i know till today. Why i say a divorce is spot separated from virgin while also having an association with another major bank in SA [1 of the big 5] they went into bed soon thereafter with this bank. And now they are having massive problems and holding a lot of people's funds without any feedback on when they will release payments due to individuals using their services. I presume there is a major dispute that is not being made public and we are suffering because of it. Please I urge you to let us know what the issue is. [Spot app is an offering by Spot Money SA (Pty) Ltd (2005/016196/07) in association with Bidvest Bank Ltd (2000/006478/06), an authorised FSP and credit provider.]
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
#joke2026 Divorce #Spot Money SA gets shown the door by #Bidvest Bank Ltd.. #just a theory not factual. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I wish I did my research before signing up to Spot SA. To be quite honest I saw it was affiliated to Bidvest Bank as you see below. And this alone assured me i was in good hands. Little did I know. Upon the recent outage on the spot money app, this has proven to be my threshold and I cannot go on silently dealing with what seems to be a divorce between spouses. Spot was born from Virgin money and we all know what happened to virgin mobile. This is why I said little did i know till today. Why i say a divorce is spot separated from virgin while also having an association with another major bank in SA [1 of the big 5] they went into bed soon thereafter with this bank. And now they are having massive problems and holding a lot of people's funds without any feedback on when they will release payments due to individuals using their services. I presume there is a major dispute that is not being made public and we are suffering because of it. Please I urge you to let us know what the issue is. [Spot app is an offering by Spot Money SA (Pty) Ltd (2005/016196/07) in association with Bidvest Bank Ltd (2000/006478/06), an authorised FSP and credit provider.]
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Bidvestbank *** bank
This bank forex department is appalling ,no customer services and mastered the art of eletronic response ,they said money was deposited inan fnb account ,after follow up ,the money is still with them,one ponders if its a bank or ****mers,its been day which has caused such inconvenience
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Bidvestbank *** bank
This bank forex department is appalling ,no customer services and mastered the art of eletronic response ,they said money was deposited inan fnb account ,after follow up ,the money is still with them,one ponders if its a bank or ****mers,its been day which has caused such inconvenience
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
****med by Bidvest Bank client
I was ****med by a bidvest bank user, 4700 they even sent me a **** ID
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
****med by Bidvest Bank client
I was ****med by a bidvest bank user, 4700 they even sent me a **** ID
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Policy ***** case
Insurance policy created without my concern telephonically as their customer.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Policy ***** case
Insurance policy created without my concern telephonically as their customer.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Indran Chetty Bidvest Bank Excellent services
I would like to formally commend one of your Relationship bankers Mr. Indran Chetty for delivering a level of service that is increasingly rare in today’s business environment. I contacted him seeking assistance in exploring business loan options for a friend of mine. From the outset, he was professional, kind, and exceptionally efficient. What stood out most, however, was not simply his responsiveness — but his follow-through. He assured me that he would connect us with the relevant decision-makers, and unlike many organisations where such promises quietly fade, he did exactly that. He personally ensured the matter progressed to the appropriate senior individuals and stayed engaged until it reached the final decision-makers. This level of ownership and integrity is not common. Many professionals indicate they will “get back to you” or “escalate the matter,” but few carry it through with such diligence and care. His conduct reflects positively not only on himself but on the culture and leadership of Bidvest Bank. It demonstrates a commitment to service excellence, accountability, and genuine client care. Please extend my sincere appreciation to him. Employees who act with this level of responsibility and efficiency deserve recognition. I highly recommend Bidvest Bank
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Indran Chetty Bidvest Bank Excellent services
I would like to formally commend one of your Relationship bankers Mr. Indran Chetty for delivering a level of service that is increasingly rare in today’s business environment. I contacted him seeking assistance in exploring business loan options for a friend of mine. From the outset, he was professional, kind, and exceptionally efficient. What stood out most, however, was not simply his responsiveness — but his follow-through. He assured me that he would connect us with the relevant decision-makers, and unlike many organisations where such promises quietly fade, he did exactly that. He personally ensured the matter progressed to the appropriate senior individuals and stayed engaged until it reached the final decision-makers. This level of ownership and integrity is not common. Many professionals indicate they will “get back to you” or “escalate the matter,” but few carry it through with such diligence and care. His conduct reflects positively not only on himself but on the culture and leadership of Bidvest Bank. It demonstrates a commitment to service excellence, accountability, and genuine client care. Please extend my sincere appreciation to him. Employees who act with this level of responsibility and efficiency deserve recognition. I highly recommend Bidvest Bank
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Bidvest bank ****
I did transactions to my Capitec account 3 times due to signal , but only 1 transactions went to capitec on the 30th of January. Now my bidvest bank account is in minus of the same money I sent to capitec. I went to the bank on Monday and showed them statements. The other problem is I can't access my money from save due to the minus on swipe account. They keep in telling me that they are escalating the matter from Monday until now with no communication to me.
1 reviews | Active since Jan 2020
Bidvest bank ****
I did transactions to my Capitec account 3 times due to signal , but only 1 transactions went to capitec on the 30th of January. Now my bidvest bank account is in minus of the same money I sent to capitec. I went to the bank on Monday and showed them statements. The other problem is I can't access my money from save due to the minus on swipe account. They keep in telling me that they are escalating the matter from Monday until now with no communication to me.