Dear Editor,
I am writing to express my extreme dissatisfaction with the consistently slow service at the ACB Caribbean town branch.
On multiple occasions, I have encountered excessively long wait times, with a full bank line and only two tellers servicing customers.
This is simply unacceptable. In today’s fast-paced world, time is a precious commodity, and no one should have to waste hours of their day waiting in a bank line.
The lack of adequate staffing is a clear indication of poor management and a disregard for customer convenience.
I urge ACB Caribbean to address this issue immediately by increasing the number of tellers available during peak hours.
Customers deserve efficient and timely service, and it is the bank’s responsibility to provide it.
Sincerely, Frustrated Banker
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This is common in Antigua banking system,
all bank have 1 or 2 tellers.
Long line of people waisting time.
Govt have to fix big problem just like Pm told all banks loan officers get out of office and go lend people money.
ACB and ECAB are running neck and neck for worst bank in Antigua.
ACB’s ATMs are constantly down. I tried depositing on multiple days last week to no avail. Looked at the lines in the bank and said, no way.
It’s just ridiculous. You’re wasting time in the bank but then the alternative of ATMs isn’t there.
We need an international bank back in Antigua.
Things have gone downhill since they left.
This is an issue with all banks especially since the end of the COVID pandemic lockdowns.
I’m in the Virgin Islands and travel frequently to PR and Miami and it’s the same.
I think they’re forcing people to use online banking. That’s my opinion.
You are a frustrated customer not a banker; and you are the victim of many things:
1. The who you know syndrome that’s common in both the government service environment as well as in private businesses.
2. Further there is no need for banks to invest in staff of technology when the Government has not interest in the simple things that affects public life unless it affects them.
Private companies on Antigua are bullied into many things by the Government, including keeping their mouths closed.
There is world outside Antigua and Barbuda where banks will now charge their customers for going up to the tellers window. They want their customers to use their ATMs, their phone or computer.
Bank outside of the Caribbean invest in digital portals and platforms to be competitive in the market place. The Caribbean Banks seems to think their is some type of prestige to be seen in line like in the Colonial days
It’s laughable when the politicians and the ECCB offers up ridiculous and false promises about banking and measure life by GDP growth only when the rest of the world the measure experiences of customers.
The Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister is now the Minister of Finance who chairs the ECCB. The ECCB is planning on visiting Barbuda for its next meeting.
At least when you visit ECB in St.Johns you stand in line inside with AC.
In Barbuda customers stand on line outside in the sun.
It’s also interesting to observe so many with MS. MBA and Phds prancing around with their degree on their chest in a country that operates in many ways as if it still in the 1950s.
I’m waiting for a day to see a seminal paper that speaks to the many archaic ways in which this country operates.
So Mesrs Banker/Customer when there is another anouncement of someone with their degree; congratulate them and challenge them to push the Board of Directors of ACB to join the 21 century in banking.
That’s how change comes about.
This is s result of a combination of weak regulator: The ECCB, and the uncaring Prime Ministers of the ECCB member banks; as well as the weak and myopic medias of the region.
I say weak for none of them will explore, investigate and report their finding to the public; giving the Eastern Caribbean public and communities the information and tools to bring pressure on the responsible institutions.
All banks in Antigua are the same, they want everyone to do online banking, not everyone is tech savvy, it’s the banks responsibility to please the customers after all they depend on the public for their business then behave as though they are doing us a favor, hate CIBC with a passion
This has become the norm at all banks in Antigua and it is purposely done to force the customer to do everything online. And they charge you for going into the bank. I know that most people cannot read a financial statement but ACB earned more money/profit from charges to customers than on loans. And I agree that these are the issues that concern the common man but our politicians on both sides are indifferent.
The Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), Timothy N. J. Antoine, visited Antigua and Barbuda as part of his Country Outreach Mission on June 14, 2023
During this visit, in Antigua he engaged with various stakeholders, including the Prime Minister, the Governor General’s Deputy, and members of the Barbuda Council.
I recalled he also planted a tree at Novell Richards jr. school
The claim of visiting Barbuda was a fly over PLH and stop at Nobu Restaurant for sushi.
He never set foot in Codrington Village. Let’s hope the next visit is not the same.
That’s one of the primary characters who can bring an end to long lines
@Biggs
I wholeheartedly agree with you. Banks get away because the regulators/ politiciand allow the to get away.
ECCB has revolving chairman who is the Finance Minister of the country whose turn it is to be Chairman.
Turns out our PM Gaston Brown is the man of the moment.
If he wants too, he can out it on the agenda and get time tables for what ever the change they wish.
Troy Allen proved pressure from the right party can make water go up hill. His mother got treated even others were neglected
These guys who we elect as leaders will force you to drink pond water, if you allow them to.
@Barbuda j’aime
Spoken like a true Barbudan – rambling, incoherent, nonsensical and pure hogwash. As many of the contributors have pointed out, the problems have more to do with unsatisfactory banking policies and practices in the context of changing technological times. How the hell does it become the Hon
Gaston Browne’s fault how private banks operate in Antigua and the Caribbean??? And where does Troy Allen’s mother fit into this discussion. You guys are so full of hate that you make it most difficult to even like or support you.
A terrible bank!
Can’t get them on Customer Service, ATMs not working, pure garbage!
@ Faithful National #1
I don’t expect anything better from a Gaston Brown troll, who is faithful #1 with limited knowledge outside financial and regional issues, but is quick cast dispersions while broadcasting your stupidity
Banks are regulated businesses. In the Eastern Caribbean they are regulated by the ECCB who has they authority to set reserves among other policies, including some operating policies.
The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) offers a variety of banking products and services. Here are some of the key products:
Interest Rates: The ECCB sets various interest rates, including the call rate, discount rate, and fixed deposit rates for different terms
Currency Management: The ECCB manages the Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD), ensuring its stability and availability for transactions within the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union
These products and services help support the financial stability and economic development of the Eastern Caribbean region.
They also introduce banking products which the banks are required to use.
They have been trying to introduce some type of digital portal for merchant purchases
Soon they be introducing a credit rating system, and it will be digitized and catch slot of people by surprise
In many jurisdictions there are ACTs such as the Urban Redevelopnent ACTS. Government imposed regulations on the operations of banks for and closings of branches.
G aston Browne currently serves as the Chairman of the Monetary Council of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB). As Chairman, Prime Minister Browne plays a crucial role in overseeing the monetary and financial policies of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union (ECCU), ensuring financial stability, and promoting economic growth in the region. Should be see fit; among the policies to improve productivity and economic development would be policies to shorten waiting on line which is one of the most unproductive things imaginable.
Is there anything else you’d like to know, of any doubt you have about the ECCB or Prime Minister Browne’s role id ability to call for change? He has leverage
As for Troy Allen: his mother was gravely sick, and she sort medical attention at SLB medical center but was triage like any other patient.
Mr Allen being concerned about her grave medical state reach out for help and proved that having the ability to call Political Minister, may have saved his mother”s life.
What does Paul Allen have to do with it?
If the writer waiting online had political status, she would have pulled a Troy Allen
Adios
Talking about shitty ATM check out CIBC Caribbean they are the f***ing worst
@Faithful National #1
The Paul Allen situation with SLB Medical Center was seminal moment for Antigua and Barbuda.
It proved that if you have political connection you can get service that the public pays for but do not generally get.
Until Paul Allen write his now famous letter the emergency room at SLB Medical Center was where done waited to die.
It’s a measurement of the political directorate daily neglect.
But as # 1 defender of Gaston I oktty you
Blessings 🙌 All. I just love all the comments which are worthy. Having said that do you think that those in Authority are paying attention to our comments 🤔 I don’t think so. However ECAB in my opinion is the worst in every aspect. ACB & CIBC tie for second place.
WELL! I THOUGHT I WAS THE ONLY ONE THINKING ALONG DEM LINES, BUT LO & ON BEHOLD BOOM! THERE IT IS, SO MANY PPL IN THESE COMMENTS CANT BE WRONG BCZ ITS FACTS, NOT HERESAY, & ALSO WHEN PPL GO TO ACB ATM TO DEPOSIT THEIR HARD-EARNED MONEY, 9 OUTTA 10 TIME NOT EVEN ONE ENVELOP DEY, U HAFU TON BACK WID U DEPOSIT, CAN U IMAGINE! & THIS COMING FROM A BANK WHICH A FEW YEAR AGO BOASTED BEING THE MOST EFFICIENT IN ANTIGUA, WID ALL THE MS, MBAs & PHD THAT SOME BOASTINGLY CLAIM TO HOLD, ALL A DAT COUNT FOR NOUGHT IF U WANT TO PLAY DICTATOR & DONT KNOW HOW TO TREAT WITH RESPECT THE GREATEST ASSET OF ANY BUSINESS, I.E., THE HUMAN WORKFORCE, EXCEPT FOR A FEW FAVORED ONES, NOW THE GREAT STARS WHO WERE THERE, SOUND NOT JUST IN ACADEMICS, BUT IN COMMITMENT & SOUND COMMON SENSE, HAVE WALKED OUT ON THEM, & THEY’RE LEFT FALLING ON THEIR OWN SWORD, AS IT IS WRITTEN, PROFESSING TO BE WISE, THEY BECAME FOOLS, OLD PEOPLE PUT IT ANOTHER WAY:WA U PIT UP INNA DE AIR MUST FALL RIGHT BACK DONG INNA U TINKIN FACE.
They all have PhD just like Troy Allen.
But the PhD is fake.
Your absolutely right …..At least CUB sits in comfort until your number is call…. I appreciate that…. They need to focus on there ATM’s it’s ridiculous what happens if there’s an emergency come on…..
I don’t understand why antiguan ppl are investing in getting INET, FLOW, Digicel, ACT et al ISPs that provides a foundation to get businesses done, but yet they want to walk in a place, line up behind someone’s fart for 20minutes to an hour or more, and then to come here write letters et al of complaints.
Why? Why?
If you and your bank(s) or institution are putting money in an investment that is not yielding, please stop immediately. You cannot in this so-called modern age of internet-ting and banking and bank online-ing, expect things to be the same as 30 years ago. It is a waste of money and time. You would be investing your money and time in a never-ending dark hole.
To the banks, if you have an online presence, tell the ppl them tap come arh yah place, unless it is to drop off some physical document that the grab-a-ment (government) needs. You will need less staff, have higher yields, and have cheaper loans.
To the bank clients, tap go arh bank fu line up behind somebady fart! you already have all kinda high end cell phones on your hips that are not being used to the features and money you paid for them. Not to mention some of you have computers at home, at school, at play, at work that you can do most of your banking via. Also only go arh bank if you have to drap off grab-a-ment documents that the bank and grab-a-ment requires of you. everytime you go to the bank or any institution for that matter of fact, it will cost you more. Why?? cause the staff needs to be paid to see your face, and to smell your farts.
To the banking or organization staff, you cannot run from it, you cannot hide from it, destiny is that technology will take your jabs (jobs). the more staff there is to be paid a salary, the more goods and services are going to be expensive. for instance, when you demand your union to picket the organization for increase in your salary cause farmer Browne sweet potato and pig feet expensive to buy, is the more your organization has to increase the costs of its goods and services to the clients. A catch-twenty situation. A between-a-rock-and-a-hard-place situation. Therefore, either you get yourself ready to have niche business in a 108sq mile, or you get an online business, setting yourself ready to release by your Antiguan bank or grab-a-ment workplace. It does not matter if your grab-a-ment saying they not releasing staff, if there are 20 of you, sooner or later, the tasks will only need about 5 of you; and that 5 would be the most efficient 5 in doing some form of printing or data inputting.
You have been warned, for the past 20 years . . . retroactively.