Habib Bank Limited (HBL), Pakistan’s largest and most profitable bank, has once again left its customers in a lurch with either interrupted or no service at branches, ATMs, online, and related mobile banking channels.
The system of HBL has yet again collapsed after hundreds of thousands of customers attempted to make transactions on the very first working day in the banking sector of the calendar year.
Customers were not able to withdraw cash at branches using checks while companies were not able to transfer funds into HBL accounts. Some companies and customers who don’t check transactions may not be aware of the problem.
After receiving a plethora of complaints and a lot of heat on social media, HBL finally built up the courage to respond via its Twitter account: “We are aware of the issue and have notified our teams to look into this at the earliest. We understand the hassle you must have gone through and sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.”
We are aware of the issue and have notified our teams to look into this at the earliest. We understand the hassle you must have gone through & sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. – FA
— HBL (@HBLPak) January 4, 2022
The services of the bank were consistently poor in the closing months of 2021, and the same has continued in 2022.
In October 2021, HBL’s internet services fell down twice, causing major disruption to its customers in the first week of the month, which persisted in the second week despite urgent measures taken by the bank. In the subsequent month of November 2021, customers of the bank witnessed a surprise deduction of money from their deposits without any announcement from the bank.
Later, HBL explained the real reason behind the deductions of funds from the accounts, saying that it was a reversal of payments, which the bank mistakenly made as a result of a software malfunction that doubled the debit of funds.
Regardless, with its profitability last year, HBL surpassed all other competitive banks in the banking market. It also took first place in terms of consumer complaints received by the Pakistan Banking Ombudsman and the PM Portal. The total number of complaints received was 5,317, significantly above the number received by any other bank in the country.
To increase the standard of banking services in the country, the State Bank of Pakistan should examine the performance of banks’ services and develop a quality of service index. It should also penalize banks for offering bad customer service, just as it does for ensuring that regulations are followed in operations.
worst banking experience with Hbl.Three months ago i received a msg of online cash withdrawal from my account that i didnt perform. The customer care centre of HbL gave me a 45 days time for reversal of this amount into my account but after that time when i call and ask for my cash reverse they denied .
I am really disappointed from HbL . It’s not safe to banking with HbL.
They shall rise again. Who innovate and diversify may encounter mistakes. Part of enrichment customer better experience.
Simply change your bank and move your funds and services to your new bank
HBL’s era is finished
I am happy that I am not a HBL customer
My friend hold account in hbl,he was worries when his cash not withdrawal in any bank channel due to his account dorment without any reason,he has facing very bad experiment,he determination to after cash withdrawal,he will close his HBL account in his first priority.
failure has become a norm for HBL, i have left HBL because of arrogant attitude of their staff. Micro finance banks are far better than giant banks in Pakistan because they value their customers to retain them
Aag laga do..
I faced such issues many time and finally decided to shift my account to another bank.