2011/11/23 Boniface <mboteb@gmail.com>

Signatures may be irritating but not as much as getting deducted 950Kshs by Stanchart every month for a transaction that did not go through. Its makes it even worse when they try to explain that the transaction overdrew your account by 13 shillings which causes the charge. I eventually threw the ATM card in a pit latrine and closed the account. As for Coop I find them quite convenient though my life would be better with a few changes.

Boniface, now that you mentioned Stanchart on a Co-op thread

, allow me to share my thoughts.
Methinks that yours was a typical case of "RTFM + Wrong tool for the wrong job".

I've been on Stanchart (and KCB) for as long as I can remember.
I opted for the 950/= flat rate Stanchart account in tandem with my needs & I can't complain about value for money.
I agree they have harsh penalties for flimsy mistakes; but heck, that's well spelt out in their brochure (available online).

My personal reasons for sticking with them are:
- Excellent online transaction portal - I repeatedly use this from whichever corner of the globe I may be in. I've never had any issue with foreign account transactions.
- Good linkage between Account & Credit card. - No horror stories about overdue card payments.
- Countless standing orders regardless of the receiving bank.
- Wide acceptability of the Debit Card. - I was shocked to learn that my colleagues' VISA card (form a different bank) had restrictions in one country in the Middle-East. I'd always thought VISA was VISA

- Responsive customer care. It works wonders if you cc your Bank manager in those sorts of correspondences.

All in all : It pays to match a tool with the task. Good to note that Co-op comes close to that in your case.

Tony.