Comments on: CITIBANK NRI SUCKS!!!!!

By: Anirudh Sathe

Anirudh Sathe — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:59:01 +0000

Rajesh,
I had a similar issue while trying to enter a UK postcode in US zip code field, all you do is enter some fictious zip code (5 digits) in any case i wouldnt like to enter my address or post code on any marketing or commercial website anyway and citi being an American company their online data protection policies arent as strict as the EU/UK. The initial address & contact details are just for their operator to prepare their sales pitch. Make sure you give them the correct telephone number with country code for them to call you. I was called by a friendly sikh called Harpal Singh who opened my account and assisted me with the form. Im waiting for the ATM card/PIN and cheque book now, its been about 10 business days. They’ve returned my original documents back and debited the cheque from me too. Im keeping the faith so far. :???:

By: rajesh

rajesh — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:32:57 +0000

I am trying to contact citi bank and I am not able to find out their NRI customare care number even.
the worst part is they ask to put the detail and they will call back and unfortunately it does not let you put your ccorrect detail.
they ask yuor country detail , when you say UK then you need to type ZIP code. they flipin do not know that there is no ZIP code in UK. they have post code. If you try post code of UK it does not accept.
night mare. I call ed india helpdesk from here and inform them that I cannot enter the detail for call back. they said they will take care but…. its citi bank man..

By: Anirudh Sathe

Anirudh Sathe — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 06:16:58 +0000

After reading this post and responses Im regreting that Ive just sent the application pack for opening the citibank account. I got lured into opening as they promised me a free debit card (on international withdrawls) and in India. Also they said I would get free international transfers from my account in the London branch. I hope things go smoothly but I feel I should have stuck to HSBC which is bigger in the UK.

By: Mehul

Mehul — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:10:58 +0000

I am not finished.. I needed more space to continuing from prev. comments…
So – after talking to 15 ppl from the Chennai call center. They could not help. There is ONLY floor supervisor allowed to talk on a escalated issue. there is NO manager on top of them… they call the shots and you can’t do ANYTHING!!! they bully the clients and don’t care at all. I was furious, mad and highly frustrated… but nothing.
I have requested a transcript of my call and will distribute to the news channels and all the blogs as appropriate.
PLEASE email me if you need to see the details. HELP!!! to stop this – it is absolutely unacceptable. I WILL close the a/c and take my business somewhere else!

By: Mehul

Mehul — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:06:59 +0000

CitiNRI provides ‘THE WORST’ service ever. You have good options now with ICICI and other… do not go with citinri.
I have been sending money on regular basis for past 3 yrs. had some monior glitches most of the time, but I never paid too much attention as it was never urgent/critical for me.
When it was “REALLY” urgent and critical – BAAM! citinri services HAD TO fail… it’s been more than 10 days about 15 hrs on the phones and the funds are NO WHERE LOCATED!!! normally it takes 3 -5 days and it’s fine.
I think there is MAJOR security breach and they have lost lot of account info. hacked. They will not give the right info. and just give you tons of other numbers to call.

By: Venkat Kasibhotla

Venkat Kasibhotla — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 18:13:04 +0000

Well, i do have an account and long suffering because of it. I have been trying to talk to somebody since 10 am this morning (and now it is 2pm). Either their phone system disconnects while transfering my call, or the overly polite but stupid “citibank officers” don’t know or want to help anymore beyond their script.

What is so surprising is why is their US service is far superior to their Indian service? Why can’t they bring the world famous american style customer service to their Indian operation?

By: MJ

MJ — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:22:05 +0000

Well if you think your experience with Citibank was worst than let me thell you that ICICI is not far behind in this matter. I’ve couple of accounts with ICICI and from time to time they keep screwing with my remittances being sent from US to India. Their customer service is horrible. For people in US it seems there are not many alternatives.

By: Pankaj

Pankaj — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 07:18:58 +0000

hi friends,
going through so many comment i am really confused.pls let me which is the better one for NRE a/c

By: Nazer

Nazer — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 04:14:03 +0000

Well I am going through a similar scenario to most of the member in this board. I wish I had read it prior to making a decision.
Last year tried to call the Citi bank branch in Toronto and always an answering machine comes on, attempted to leave voice message and get “The voice box is full” answer.
Decided not to deal with a guy, who can’t even clear his voice mail box.
End of December went to India for a short trip.
Walked into Citibank Cochin branch. Listened to the guy of how great this branch is, filled up few forms, guided me to another person, same story, big sales pitches, filled some more forms. Informed me, I would get my account details in my Canadian address within 10-15 days time. Believed the guy, came back to Canada waited for a month, two months. No Documents.
Thought of calling them, went online, got their website, hmmmmmm no phone numbers.
Got their CS number from this discussion thread. Called them, narrated my pathetic situation. He took my information, put me on hold for five mins and give me the news.
“Sorry we dont have your information in our system”.
Now what?
Please send us another application.
Really! Another application! No I am not sending another application. First let me know what happened to my application.
Well, sir, I dont know. I will send Cochin branch an email. But I cant promise you any thing.
Can I have the Cochin branch number?
Sorry sir we dont have their number. I have only their postal address.
(haaaaaa India is developed country)
Well, ultimately I had to finish the conversation, because it is not taking me any where. Just making my long distance provider happy.
If I can reverse the scenario, I would never attempt to deal with these guys.
My frustration and helplessness flows through these words.
A big NO to Citibank India.

By: Pramodh

Pramodh — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 23:11:18 +0000

:???: oops…after reading so many painful and frustrating experiences..i am not thinking again to open an account with Citibank or not..thanks folks for sharing …