To close a bank account, it takes 15 months. That is ICICI!!
Close our interesting antisocial moves of ICICI Bank like in ‘Banking for the Booty‘ and ‘ExpressIT-ICICI Credit Card Felony‘, there is another interesting tell-tale which involves the handy work of ICICI bank in having stretching an account closure operation which should be just less than a 45 second work to take more than 15 months (an year and a quarter). And my Inbox.com had to exchange seventy emails to complete the task at least as a reminder to them.
It all happened that I had an account for my mom in ICICI Bank Vidyodaya branch (Nungambakkam/T. Nagar). About the third quarter of 2006. We approached the parent branch (Vidyodaya) and gave a signed instruction to transfer to Selayur branch. They promised about a seven day ETA. But till March, when I left for US, nothing moved. After my return, when I wanted to check the status, Vidyodaya branch staff was having a different story to tell. “When was the instruction given?”, “Which date?”, “Can you give another instruction so that we can process it? You also need not date it. We would take care of the loss of previous one.” were the responses from ICICI CustomerCare. Vidoyodaya staff had another strategy to escape from me. If the account holder is called, they would say since I emailed them, they want to talk to me. When talking to me, to escape the spurt of queries that I pose and tight-corner them, they would say they would talk to the account holder.
They managed to continue this fun till August 2007. When I again reminded them of the pending request and this time drew the attention of Head Service Quality, it was Phase II of the fun. They were unrelentingly managing the same fun show. All along the account had been steadily incurring negative balance since we didn’t want to operate the account as long as it was with such poorly managed branch like Vidyodaya.
In September, I contacted Velacherry branch. There was one interesting guy called Surya Prakash. He was giving a different story like ‘Account holder should come’. Then within minutes he was confused on the account closure procedures and then he was redirecting to nearest branch and parent branch.
I let go this fun for a while at least patiently waiting for whether the branch would do some background work to set things right.
Come January and again a steep negative balance instruction came. I just thought better to close off the account. But this time, Vidyodaya had three interesting dadagiri staff (Aparna posing as branch manager, Jayakumar appearing like a drunkard and Nithya, looking as if she was sitting to entertain and mesmerize Jayakumar). I doubt whether Aparna was a branch manager since her percieved attitude problem made me doubt that way.
When I took the counter service token and met Nithya, she was really egoistic and she even refused to take up the application form. I really didn’t know what she wanted to whisper over the intercom to Jayakumar (Counter Number 3 yesterday) and he was giggling and then asking me to contact Aparna. Are they trying to fool around the customers? I think if they really wanted to do such activities, they should do with local finance organizations and not with Internationally Recognized Branch like ICICI. The intercom facilities provided by ICICI is for legitimate business purposes to serve ICICI and I don’t think it was a wise gesture for her to misuse towards tormenting a customer.
Aparna was again one more distinct identity of how bad a customer relationship can be broken down. She was adamant and was pronouncing the following arrogant sentences:
- CustomerCare can reverse but she can not (or will not ?) do. It seems to be her wish.
- Go and complain to customercare and she does not seem to care or least bothered to.
- She arrogantly told the names of the trio when demanded for.
For (2), I just gave a very calm and collected reply to her: “I don’t just talk to CustomerCare. ICICI Bank as an institution and organization is more dear and near to me. I don’t want to waste time with you anymore. Learn to be loyal to your organization which is feeding you everymonth with wallet-full of wealth”
My simple query is ICICI branch is paying them in good only to serve the organizations goals (http://www.icicibank.com/pfsuser/webnews/Code_Commitment_Customers.htm) but given by the arrogant, inconsistent attitude and reply of the staff, we ought to seriously ponder over and place a check on such parasites’ that prey over the organization’s goals.
Vidyodaya branch had been the good when it was extension counter of Nungambakkam and when Bharathi, Lavanya etc staff were there. I had the privilege of opening one of the first few accounts as part of Agenda Net Marketing. But the current state of Vidyodaya branch with such poor quality chaps and staff seems to be really challenging eyesore to ICICI branch.
I wrote this incident to headservicequality. Now they took the full query in investigation. Velacherry bank offered to look into the issue trying to address at least the small malady that their staff did. And the account got closed the third week of January.
But even two days before closing the account, I got a reply from CustomerCare about paying the negative balance when the branch had waiver clauses builtin if there were problems because of them.
Now this incident is again one more strong emphasis that we should not depend on ICICI for any banking relationships.
February 2, 2008 at 2:40 pm
Hi, I have been associated with ICICI bank since a very long time. You can say almost since it’s inception. I have seen the service quality go down,like anything. The earlier staff was very good. They made you feel important – as in ” we want your business”. Now the crass attitude of the staff – from manager to the temp is ” you have a problem with us … then fuck-off, take you buck some place else. We have plenty in our kitty”. The problems that I face with the bank range from minor to major ones. To cite some:
1. It took 15 days to receive a cheque book for an account recently.
2. ICICI life insurance guys forged my signatures and personal details to issue a policy for a home loan I took. This policy I had never applied for. I have received an apology letter from their office. Due to time constraints I never took legal recourse – I could have received a good compensation from them.
3. For inward foreign remmittences they charge Rs 500 plus service Tax. When I asked them to show in writing, they refer to some email some one from their Mumbai office sent few months back, and I never received. They do not have a copy of that and are unable to procure one. Unlike many good banks the forex inward charges are not mentioned on their web site. So we are changing our bank and are very happy with the services of the new bank.
4. They offered an OD limit on my company Current account and charged Rs 3000 for that and promised that it will be a one time charge. Following year a person again came to my office for renewal. Again he started asking for renewal charges. I refused and they stopped my OD limit. Till date they have not reduced my security cheques. To avoid returning them my OD limit has been reduced to Re1.
So on my part I inform every one not to venture near ICICI bank. Some may ask that why I am still sticking along. Reason being with time several things get linked. Like my family has FDs, savings account, my company has the current account, I have a home loan. But gradually as a matter of policy we are shifting out.
This ICICI Bank people are crooks by design and not by chance. It seems their staff gets targets – that you have to generate so much by way of other income. Some one with analitical bent of mind should compare 10 banks – 5 nationalised, 3 private and 2 foreign banks and find out how much extra income these ICICI buggers generate. I am very sure they would come out on top.
May 11, 2008 at 6:38 am
Hi,
I do have a similar kind of problem, when i started working (2003), i was given a Salary account ib ICICI Bank from my employeer.
I just received one month salary, and they asked me to maintain Rs. 5000 as balance (my salary was Rs.3,500. I withdrawn the first month salary and my employeer instructed to leave the account and stated it will get closed after 6 months due to inactivity and I did so.
After 2 Years (2005), I received a statement stating the account is dormant with nil balance and requesting to activate the account and intrested and contacted the customer care and they asked me maintain Rs.5000 as min balance and I decided not to go with ICICI.
Later in 2007 i received a statement with a negative balance around 3K +, when i contacted the customer care over phone they asked me to pay the amount and I visited the Selaiyur branch and asked them why they have been silent for almost 3 years and suddenly asking for payment, they replied that it is for maintaining the account, which is dormant. Now it has grown to Rs.8500.
Can anyone helpme to sort out this.
Regards,
KK
May 25, 2008 at 3:42 pm
I am too facing a -12000 negative balance problem. What is you situation now?
Please reply to haricnair@gmail.com
December 17, 2008 at 4:31 am
Guys,
Awesome thread. I have also gone through most of these phases during the last 8 years of business with ICICI. Unfortunately I am not able to move out of this bank at this time becasue I am so f***ing tied up with this bank. Have my demat holdings likned to my salary account, my current account belong to the same debit card, etc. But anyone wanted to open a new relationship with this bank, PLEASE BE AWARE!!!!.
Please read through my review on mouthshut.com about ICICI Bank’s personal banking experiences.
December 31, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Pl give me account closing form
January 19, 2009 at 7:20 am
ICICI is thirdclass bank. Indian government should ban it
January 23, 2009 at 7:23 am
Hi,
Well your all experiences remind me of the one i had the last year but the outcome was sweet which i had not expected at all.
It all began in 2002 when i opened my ICICI account in Goa. All was well when suddenly after 2004 i for some reason stopped using it. Since i had not maintained the AQB was getting the Quarterly statement in negative.
It kept on accumulating year on year.
In 2008 i read an article how various banks cheat their costumers by different means one was through dormant accounts balances to the tune in lakhs of rupees. It was an eye opener for me as i too thought would be a prime bait after some years. But by then i received my statement showing -12000/-
I immediately rushed to my branch and narrated my story to one official and told him that since it was ignorance on my part i am ready to pay the Balance but to please cose the account.
He gave a patient heearing to me and in the end told that if the Amount was below -10000/- this branch has the authority to waive it off since they have some Quota, but since this was above the limit it has to be forwarded to the main branch and that he shall try his level best to waive the total negative amount and close the account.
After 2 weeks as told by him i visited the bank carrying a cheque of 12000/- but to my utter surprise the whole amount was waived off and the account closed as of August 2008.
I sincerely thanked the Bank Staff for doing such a fovour.
All you people try visiting your branch and tell then your real story, I hope they will too help you out there.
Thanks.
February 20, 2009 at 10:05 am
Hi,
I had opened an Account with ICICI in Kolhapur Branch (Nov.2006)thro
my Employeer,after 1 and half month i had get salary which deposited 15 days before,becz of Activation of Account not done from Bank ,the reason is they said it will taken 10 days,after 4-5 times called for A/c opening every time the answer is not same,one says 5 days,other staff says 10 days after(submitting the all documents) 25 days i visited Branch,they said that your written the name wrong and so differs with proff attached,I given 2nd photo ID and afetr 15 days,the manager (Mr.Inamdar)he said you had given incorrect proof for name,but i told him ,the fact that the zerox of my I-card taken is very dark,so the spelling of Anil–seen like Anll to ICICI Staff,the zerox taken from Bank Machine and staff,they not checked after zerox or while attaching to form,they taken 1 15 days for it,so becz of their mistake i had to wait 15 days for my deposited salary ….so my experience with ICICI is not good,so I never in future to deal with ICICI Bank …useless service and the staff who do not know basic banking are behaving wrong,they act like customers had not know any banking rules..
April 6, 2009 at 5:57 pm
I am going through the same inception that you guys gone through.
I am sorry to say icici is completely profit organisation. their motto is to take and charge as much as money from their customers by making their own rules and regulation. I have never seen service like this. It is better to open the bank account with nationalized bank.
April 30, 2009 at 5:37 pm
icici bank sucks alot, thier associates doesnt know how to deal with customer as well as problem I have even made a recording of how they handle the customer…I let my girl friend take the video in a different way which they didnt figure out…..I was given a wrong solution to call customer care….when I am at my branch where i opened my account…I just dont know as what to do with airtel and icici….I just want them to get married and go to hell….I am tried of them ….as far as possible i try to even kick on the banner and any airtel and icici…i am tryin to rin a clun anti airtel n icici….
June 28, 2009 at 4:40 am
Well Trust me the Bank Sucks Big time. I you would like to have a Bank account you Might as well look for another bank but NEVER ICICI. This bank is the Worst bank I have Ever Come Accross. They First Issue Credit Cards and Later Come to Collect on them by hacking you Banking Account for the Dues. They dont want to inform you about the same nor will they wait for you to Pay it off. They Want all their Money at once and they need it!@!! Bank ICICI SUCKS BIG TIME. I AM FILING A COMPLAINT AGAINST THIS BANK AND MAKE SURE WILL SUE THIS BANK. PLEASE GO AHEAD AND FILE COMPALITS IN YOUR CITYAGAINST THIS BANK AS IT IS NOT WORTHBEING CALLED A BANK. I AM ALSO WRITING THIS TO THE RBI
July 9, 2009 at 2:28 pm
same here man.. ICICI bank sucks .. they have deducted around 1700 or non maintenance of quarterly balance. had i read this thread before i would have never opened an account with them ..
now after reading these posts of you all people i wonder will my account be closed.
f*** ICICI bank… its a deep shit don’t dig your mouth in it ..
best of luck to all the new ICICI customers. mind it it is really a thirdclass bank , ohhh its not appropriate to call it a bank
its just crap..
October 12, 2009 at 9:21 am
What is the account closure procedures for ICICI bank.
November 26, 2009 at 12:40 am
I am also having negative balance for an account i was not using that. In other places.. if we are not using the account, they will transfer that to any account which is not payable or will cancel the account automatically.
The ICICI is charging for their services.. but if one is not using that services for years, why they charging them???
Government should step in and help the investors
its need of the hour
January 6, 2010 at 5:51 am
i want to close my account in icici bank.mine is salary account. no transaction was don eup to now. how much i have to pay for closing pls give details.
January 20, 2010 at 9:07 am
Hi,
Please write to us with your contact details and account number at care@icicibank.com (Subject line: UID 181482).
We’ll contact you and work to address your issue.
Regards,
ICICI Customer Service Team.
January 7, 2012 at 4:59 am
I want to close my account in icici bank. please give the details of procedure for closing the accounts.
May 11, 2010 at 2:48 pm
Hi!
I was in kuwait and had opened NRI account which should have balance of minimum Rs10.000 ….and now that am in India…..am unable to deposit….i don’t have any money in my account now so therfore i would like to close my account…..for your advice.
November 12, 2010 at 12:29 am
Sir or Madam, I had been using ICICI Bank Credit Card 5176377019381002.I was asked to settle the card for Rs.36750/- on Oct 7,2008 by Mr.Andrew and Mr.Udaya.I issued the cheque for Rs.36750 and got the card settled.I had been given lot of Torture by ICICI Executives.Now after 2 years they debited Rs. 69303.93 from my savings account without informing me…I am in a big trouble now..Besides this i have one more problem with ICICI Bank..When i tried to withdraw Rs.23000 on my savings account the transaction got failed..I have made a complaint for this..Though i sent so many mails on ICICI bank website no action has been taken.Moreover they are not responding to me…I am reachable at 9381789177.Kindly do the needful…
June 28, 2011 at 4:51 am
Hi ,
I have got very good experience while closing my saving account with ICICI Bank.
1.I have approached ICICI kothrud branch on 23rd June 2011 with a query regarding closure of bank account.
2.They have given me closing form with the instructions[5 minutes]
3.I have filled up account closing form and subitted to their officer with Debit Card and Chequebook as per token no.[10 minutes].
4.They advised me to withdraw cash with bearer cheque immediately.They destroyed my debit card and chequebook in front of me.They gave me Acknowledgement slip.[10 minutes]
5.I withdrew cash,thanked them and came out of the bank[2 minutes]
6.On 27th June 2011,I received letter with account closing confimation and balance cash[interest].
I was very impressed with this experience.
August 17, 2016 at 2:57 am
I am not maintaining my balance for 1 year. Is it possible to close without paying charges?
August 17, 2016 at 2:59 am
I am not maintaining my icici a/c balance since 1 year. do I have to pay for minimum balance charges before closing the account?
please help me.
July 31, 2011 at 5:14 am
No need to say….ICICI Bank is a big time looter….
I really question their practices….Are they operating in 2011 or 1971.
I am sure local grameen bank has better policies and services compared to these big time looters. If you change your mobile, you need to show up your face, gave your attendance and get it verified, then they will change it. You change your internet browser, your laptop or computer, again same story…you need OTP (One time password) which will be sent to your mobile. What if a cusotmer is located abroad (like my case), how the heck I can visit their brnach for every darn trasaction. Are they proving service or bossying us. Strange rules and regulations….Turtle in cusotmer services, hares in collecting penalties and service charges.
Attitude : These guys are neo-colonists…thinking they are ruling us like british….I don’t wonder if they become another East India company. Govt of India – are you listening !!!
September 21, 2011 at 9:57 am
I recently opened a SB Account and took a FD in ICICI Bank with request to give me OD limit. OD limit has been given but for that a seperate account has been opened. PROBLEM : I can not use my ATM and Cheque Book of SB for OD. (Although a seperate cheque Book of that seperate OD Account has been issued!)
This never occurs in other banks. What to do now, please guide. A.M
dramehta46@rediffmail.com
September 27, 2011 at 12:42 pm
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May 16, 2012 at 5:15 am
I had an account at Mukherjee Nagar Branch. When a need arose to close my a/c, I approached to the person(s) in charge to do the needful. Having known the facts, they did it within no time. I received my balanced money that moment itself. I am thankful to them.
July 18, 2014 at 12:49 pm
hello i am santu singha and i want close my icici savings account.
July 7, 2015 at 10:25 am
Closing the account is where ICICI BANK will try to give maximum possible punishment to the customer for joining the Bank…
July 8, 2015 at 12:37 pm
The most third class branch I have ever seen in my life even govt. are much more trusted then icici bank.
February 2, 2016 at 2:12 pm
i have close to salry a/c and convart to saving a/c
March 18, 2016 at 10:06 am
[…] Looks like another Part II of this story. […]
April 12, 2016 at 11:01 am
hello i am sulekha sharma and i want close my icici savings account.
April 5, 2017 at 9:23 am
Hi , I need to close my company bank account with ICICI and straggling to do so over a year, for the same reasons mentioned in your post, any suggestions?