Review ICICI bank - an unbelievably incompetent bunch of people

[Pimpom]

ICICI has always been very active in offering shopping discounts, so I thought it's time to open an account with them.

They have a small branch just 100m from my house, so I sent my son to enquire about opening an account and they promised to come to my house. They didn't come, so I sent my son again after a couple of months They still didn't come, so I sent my son again after a few more months. They did come this time. We completed the formalities and I made an initial deposit. I received the papers and debit card by mail after a week or so, then forgot about it for some time.

Then I tried to log in to my account but the ID I was given didn't work. I was prompted to generate an ID online but the same ID came up and wasn't recognized either. I tried this several times with the same result.

I went to the branch but they failed too. They called what I presumed to be their headquarters, followed their instructions but couldn't make any progress. They told me to try again after 24 hours and, if I was still not successful, to call them and they'd come to my house. I tried again after a few days with the same result, so I called them. That was 2 or 3 weeks ago but they still haven't come.

I activated my debit card by withdrawing Rs.500 from their ATM and that worked. I made a trial deposit of Rs.100 to the account and that worked too. Then I tried to use the card for an online purchase but it not only failed, but is now blocked.

In the mean time, they'd been urging me to get their credit card. I tried to apply for it online but found that I was overaged (yes, I'm an old guy). I tried to apply in my son's name - he's an architect with a good income - but it was rejected with the message that he was not eligible (no explanation). Then I applied in my wife's name and it seemed to be successful. Seemed - I was told that someone would be in touch but no one did, even after 3 weeks.

I never imagined that any well-established company could be so incompetent and unreliable. I have several other bank accounts and a host of debit and credit cards. I never have any problem with them apart from some rare minor glitches.

I guess my only option now is to close my ICICI account. I wouldn't be surprised if that too fails to go smoothly.

 

[callmevj]

HDFC > any other private bank

 

[kalph09]

I had similar experience with account opening with Yes back about 5yrs ago. Same story with HDFC bank last year. You need poke them with a stick to make them work.
Lot of these sales guys rotate jobs between banks, you might meet the same lot after 6 months when you approach a different bank.

Lastly, lower you expectations on account closure. I have seen on a few occasions, banks don’t close those accounts and continue to levy chargers. Provide a hand written letter (keep a copy) to the branch manager and get an acknowledgement,

 

[sid1712]

After having accounts across branches and cities, i've come to the conclusion that the bank experience entirely depends upon your branch.

I've had people having amazing experiences at SBI branches and terrible experiences at banks like Citi and HDFC.

 

[burntwingzZz]

After having accounts across branches and cities, i've come to the conclusion that the bank experience entirely depends upon your branch.

I've had people having amazing experiences at SBI branches and terrible experiences at banks like Citi and HDFC.

completely agree with you. i don't have a lot of experiences with multiple bank accounts but SBI could have one of the best online/suite/website

 

[OMEGA44-XT]

HDFC > any other private bank

I had a bad experience with HDFC just after opening an account (in a Tier 1 city). I planned to shift my primary account from Axis to HDFC, but didn't make the switch.

I will say all banks in India are bad, you live with the best among the worst.

 

[blr_p]

Many times I wonder why I should continue to put up with PSB's and always think the grass is greener in the private sector. Then some one makes a post like this and sets things straight.

 

[lockhrt999]

ICICICICICI Bank works like a govt council. Its net banking was probably developed in 1800s. All banks are bad to be honest. And their apps look like they were designed by final year engineering students.

So far I have had the best experience with the State Bank of Mauritius. It's apps were flawless and easy to navigate.

 

[sauravghosh]

Hmm that's rather unprofessional indeed. However, anyone thinking ICICI or other banks incompetent, please try once with Bank of Baroda.

 

[Ssreek]

ICICI has always been very active in offering shopping discounts, so I thought it's time to open an account with them.

They have a small branch just 100m from my house, so I sent my son to enquire about opening an account and they promised to come to my house. They didn't come, so I sent my son again after a couple of months They still didn't come, so I sent my son again after a few more months. They did come this time. We completed the formalities and I made an initial deposit. I received the papers and debit card by mail after a week or so, then forgot about it for some time.

Then I tried to log in to my account but the ID I was given didn't work. I was prompted to generate an ID online but the same ID came up and wasn't recognized either. I tried this several times with the same result.

I went to the branch but they failed too. They called what I presumed to be their headquarters, followed their instructions but couldn't make any progress. They told me to try again after 24 hours and, if I was still not successful, to call them and they'd come to my house. I tried again after a few days with the same result, so I called them. That was 2 or 3 weeks ago but they still haven't come.

I activated my debit card by withdrawing Rs.500 from their ATM and that worked. I made a trial deposit of Rs.100 to the account and that worked too. Then I tried to use the card for an online purchase but it not only failed, but is now blocked.

In the mean time, they'd been urging me to get their credit card. I tried to apply for it online but found that I was overaged (yes, I'm an old guy). I tried to apply in my son's name - he's an architect with a good income - but it was rejected with the message that he was not eligible (no explanation). Then I applied in my wife's name and it seemed to be successful. Seemed - I was told that someone would be in touch but no one did, even after 3 weeks.

I never imagined that any well-established company could be so incompetent and unreliable. I have several other bank accounts and a host of debit and credit cards. I never have any problem with them apart from some rare minor glitches.

I had a similar experience opening my son's account and I had to complain through several levels of ICICI hierarchy to counter their "cheque-1 lakh" deposit scheme.

I guess my only option now is to close my ICICI account.

Good luck with that. I tried that earlier and I realized I have to waste a lot of time (probably days/months) to close the account.

 

[gourav]

I had a bad experience with HDFC just after opening an account (in a Tier 1 city). I planned to shift my primary account from Axis to HDFC, but didn't make the switch.

I will say all banks in India are bad, you live with the best among the worst.

Totally agree with this. My experience with HDFC has been similar. I have been trying to get my credit card address changed for the last 1 year, they are yet to figure out how to help me do it. They rejected my physical application showing signature mismatch and since then, have failed to respond.

If I call them up, they ask me to visit the branch. If I visit the branch, they ask me to call customer care. It's a complete shit show.

 

[Ssreek]

Totally agree with this. My experience with HDFC has been similar. I have been trying to get my credit card address changed for the last 1 year, they are yet to figure out how to help me do it. They rejected my physical application showing signature mismatch and since then, have failed to respond.

If I call them up, they ask me to visit the branch. If I visit the branch, they ask me to call customer care. It's a complete shit show.

I was able to change my address online in HDFC. It was much easier for me compared to doing it in SBI and ICICI.
Definitely depends on the staff that is assisting us.
It would be easier if you have an address proof that is govt issued.

 

[gourav]

I was able to change my address online in HDFC. It was much easier for me compared to doing it in SBI and ICICI.
Definitely depends on the staff that is assisting us.
It would be easier if you have an address proof that is govt issued.

I changed my address online for savings account, but that didn't change my CC address.

I had given Aadhaar card copy as proof

 

[khalil]

@Pimpom were you able to install iMobile pay. I too recently opened ICICI bank account faced similar issue. I don't have net banking, but able to install iMobile pay.

And credit card some times they reject it and later send it.

 

[kartikoli]

Me and my brother have an account in ICICI bank and just recently the account manager started calling me for KYC because I've transferred some funds from other account to this one. He would call me on my job and when I said not to disturb during working hours he wouldn't listen so I agreed for an appointment and did a KYC at my home. During KYC he kept on asking about my company where as he didn't write anywhere in KYC form. Why did he want an information that is not required by the bank?
Secondly we wanted to open a saving account for a cousin and he wouldn't agree to provide similar 10k min balance account to him. Anyways we agreed to pay 25k and maintain min balance but when I wrote a cheque he started pushing us to add 1L so he can get good incentive. Why should I transfer 1L to a cousin account and then then waste both of our time for refund. Thats a limit, I understand you have your target but pushing customers to that extent is not welcome also he asked for information that is not required and didn't share full info when it was needed. He even threaten that in case of KYC delay I will lose Net banking privilege I don't know how accurate is this claim.
Now I am thinking to open an account in HDFC and transfer all our funds from both ICICI accounts, Since we hardly use it anyways. That too before March ends hoping he looses his incentive from both of our accounts.

 

[OMEGA44-XT]

Me and my brother have an account in ICICI bank and just recently the account manager started calling me for KYC because I've transferred some funds from other account to this one. He would call me on my job and when I said not to disturb during working hours he wouldn't listen so I agreed for an appointment and did a KYC at my home. During KYC he kept on asking about my company where as he didn't write anywhere in KYC form. Why did he want an information that is not required by the bank?
Secondly we wanted to open a saving account for a cousin and he wouldn't agree to provide similar 10k min balance account to him. Anyways we agreed to pay 25k and maintain min balance but when I wrote a cheque he started pushing us to add 1L so he can get good incentive. Why should I transfer 1L to a cousin account and then then waste both of our time for refund. Thats a limit, I understand you have your target but pushing customers to that extent is not welcome also he asked for information that is not required and didn't share full info when it was needed. He even threaten that in case of KYC delay I will lose Net banking privilege I don't know how accurate is this claim.
Now I am thinking to open an account in HDFC and transfer all our funds from both ICICI accounts, Since we hardly use it anyways. That too before March ends hoping he looses his incentive from both of our accounts.

Banks have an account closure fee, if closed within a year. Check about that. I think it's waived if the account is closed within a month or so of opening. Look into it. When I opened my HDFC account, I was so pissed at them that I wanted to close it, but I missed the date to waive the closure charges, so decided to keep it as secondary account.

I was thinking of opening an ICICI account as well recently due to some offers in ICICI netbanking, also I already have their CC. But a few days back they stopped their app from working on android phones with dev options enabled. Using netbanking isn't as convenient as the app nor is turning off dev options to use the app, then re-enabling dev options & enabling the options I use there.

 

[6pack]

account manager

I've had bad experience with these account manager's of ICICI and ICICI direct. They are just glorified sales guys looking to find their next target to make money from. They push old people towards buying ICICI ulips etc. I don't bother taking their calls now. In my mind these guys are just scammers being paid by the bank to work for the bank.

 

[kartikoli]

Banks have an account closure fee, if closed within a year. Check about that. I think it's waived if the account is closed within a month or so of opening. Look into it. When I opened my HDFC account, I was so pissed at them that I wanted to close it, but I missed the date to waive the closure charges, so decided to keep it as secondary account.

I was thinking of opening an ICICI account as well recently due to some offers in ICICI netbanking, also I already have their CC. But a few days back they stopped their app from working on android phones with dev options enabled. Using netbanking isn't as convenient as the app nor is turning off dev options to use the app, then re-enabling dev options & enabling the options I use there.

My account is few years old so I don't think there will be any closure fee incase if there is any then I will leave 10k and keep the account.

I've had bad experience with these account manager's of ICICI and ICICI direct. They are just glorified sales guys looking to find their next target to make money from. They push old people towards buying ICICI ulips etc. I don't bother taking their calls now. In my mind these guys are just scammers being paid by the bank to work for the bank.

True, The guy who visited us said "March ki closing hai to thoda bada account kardiye" and he kept asking for reference (All these calls started because I've transferred 5L to my account). Where as the HDFC guy was helpful and didn't push us to go for high end account.
Now my cousin have HDFC account with min. balance of 10k (account opening was done at 25k, The same cheque that I wrote for ICICI), Soon they will have 2 more accounts and all my fund transferred from ICICI to HDFC.

 

[lockhrt999]

My account is few years old so I don't think there will be any closure fee incase if there is any then I will leave 10k and keep the account.

Or you can keep 0 rs in the account and let it go dormant.

 

[kartikoli]

Or you can keep 0 rs in the account and let it go dormant.

My brother had Axis bank account but when he left the job that account was left untouched, recently when we checked the account after several years they asked 7k+ just to close this account because bank kept on charging for services we never registered (Rs750+ for demat account, we never knew existed along with other charges)