- Safiu Kehinde
Today’s Independence Day celebration was marred with frustration for First Bank and Zenith Bank customers following technical glitch on the mobile apps which left many users stranded.
For the past 16 hours, the mobile apps of both banks have been a source of headache for their users who were unable to perform financial transactions.
Meanwhile, the customers have expressed their frustrations on X, storming the handles of the banks with complaints.
Following Zenith Bank’s felicitation message wishing their customers a happy independence day on their X handle, customers replied with loads of complaints.
“Same to you but can’t access my app and ussd till now… Please stop frustrating us.. This is public holiday.. Online transaction is the only way now” an X handler, Nate commented.
“Of all days you choose Independence Day for maintenance. Other banks have credited their customers who are my colleagues in my company their monthly salary but zenith won’t.” Mena Vadi wrote.
“We would’ve enjoyed the independent if we were able to get money to pay bill. It’s so poor of you” @Olu Damilare wrote.
“God help me, kindly fix your network . I’m in the hospital I can’t buy medication please. Why of all days you’ve to do this today???” @ Otong Ndifreke
“I regret banking with you” @BoluRubi
“You people are fast becoming the worse bank. How could you allow your network to be so bad on a day like today when we need money to do a lot of things. You’ve kept me and my family hungry throughout today. You said in your memo that by 2:30pm today your maintenance will be done” @Kingsley Quintin-Osuogie
In the same vein, First Bank customers also expressed their displeasure with the bank under their felicitation post as they suffered same fate.
“I’ve been reading these comments and there’s no where you’ve proffered solution, people’s business are dependent on you now. Which kind problem be this? The app has embarrassed me where I went to eat, had to call someone for help” @Mfonobong Obote wrote.
“First bank please what’s going on with the app?
The app logged me out, tried logging again it’s saying network request failed. Please I want to do business transaction I beg” @TrancetheGreatest commented
“I hope your not come and tell me tomorrow say someone as stole all the money in your bank, coz na so e dey start” @Jibola David
“What’s all this?? Why is your App not working?? Today of all days that one can’t go to a Page Walk-in office or branch? Please fix your App asap before it causes me damage. Error message says NETWORK REQUEST FAILED. Please do something!” @Cagetan Igwe
“Your app isn’t working,… has your app gone on independence too” @tsolasebastian
Meanwhile, unlike Zenith Bank, First Bank gave automated responses to all the complaints.
However, First Bank apologized for the inconvenience experienced by its frustrated customers.
“We are sorry. We are aware that you may be experiencing some challenges in transacting on our FirstMobile platform.
“We do apologise and ask that you bear with us as we are currently working on rectifying this issue in the shortest possible time. Our alternative channels – First Online, USSD (*894#) and ATMs are available for your use in carrying out your transactions at this time.
“As we strive to fix the issues, please be warned of fraudsters who may attempt to solicit your bank information for fraudulent purposes.
“Thank you for your patience. We will provide an update shortly.” First Bank wrote.
On its part, Zenith Bank explained that the inconvenience was as a result of an ongoing maintenance which spread across all its internet banking platforms.