Editor,

I am a Ecobank client and have been one since 2002. I cant believe that it was once the bank of choice. It was the bank that brought us the first ATM’s. Sure, they didn’t work sometimes but at least, the former BCDI was a bank that was a bit innovative as compared to the other domestic banks.

However, for awhile, I’ve been extremely tempted to switch banks. On Sunday, I went to the one open Ecobank bank in Kigali, the Remera branch, sat down and waited.

I noticed there was no action on the cashier’s desks and when I asked, I was told that ‘network’ was down. Now, I’m not an expert…but I’m assuming that its normal good practice to have a back-up system. Obviously they didn’t. So I went home without a dime to my name.

On Monday, assuming that they would have fixed the problem, I went to the KBC branch and was shocked to find that the same problem.

Now I am not normally shocked by a lot of things, especially when Ecobank is concerned, but this was madness. This time, the network glitch was citywide. What did they want their customers to do? So, there I was, broke but with money lounging in a bank vault.

I demand an explanation and apology from Ecobank or, help me God, I’m closing my account.

Edward Rwego
madogz2002@yahoo.ca