University Don Laments Three-Hour Wait for ATM Card at Abakaliki Bank

A university lecturer, Dr. Joseph Chukwu, has recounted a frustrating three-hour ordeal at a newly reopened branch of a commercial bank in Abakaliki, describing the experience as “a test of patience in the digital age.”

Dr. Chukwu, who shared his experience in a detailed post , said he had entered the bank’s new premises at exactly 2:35 p.m., expecting a quick process to collect his ATM card — a task that had taken far less time at other banks.

The bank, which had resumed operations only the day before after its former office was affected by road construction in the city center, appeared busy with customers. But according to Dr. Chukwu, poor customer handling worsened the wait.

“One of their security men barked at me over what he called ‘wrong parking.’ I told him he was representing his bank badly,” he wrote, adding that inside, he was tagged ‘No. 3’ and told to wait for his turn — which did not come for over an hour.

During the wait, he said he observed bank staff calling out names of customers who were no longer present, suggesting that some had left out of impatience. His frustration grew as he watched a cleaner raise dust while sweeping around seated customers close to closing time.

Despite the bank’s comfortable air-conditioned hall, Dr. Chukwu described the process as “needlessly slow” compared to other institutions where ATM cards can be issued directly from machines within minutes.

“It took me 2 hours 28 minutes to get an ATM card that took me 10 minutes at Truly the First and 30 minutes at another bank,” he said. “If I had known, I would have gone with my dinner and sleeping mat.”

The don also mocked the bank’s slogan change from “Moving Forward” to “It Can Be,” suggesting it now reflected customer dissatisfaction.

He concluded by vowing to be better prepared for any future visit:

“Next time I visit for my internet banking app, I will not forget my sleeping mat and dinner pack.”