by Kennedy wilson » 26th October 2011, 18:29
Dear Zambia,
I write to seek guidance from the THINK TANK on this forum.
I started up a business in Zambia a couple of years back as a pilot project. Did well for a few months, and decided it was time to implement the plan fully. Unfortunately it took a lot of time to break even, and had to struggle a little bit, just like every good business. In my struggle,i took out a Barclay loan, through my then employer as i was full time employed and doing the business in question on part time basis. I quit my job, and all my terminal benefits were paid into bank to offset the loan. I spoke with Bank of my situation, and told them i would not make regular payments on the remaining loan amount as i was out of employment for quite sometime, and left the zambia, after hiring someone help on my business.I have all the time maintained my Barclay personal account, as a conduit for servicing my loan. It took me some long time before i could start making payments towards the loan, though in the meantime the bank would once a while go into my personal account and withdraw sums like 13 MILLION kwachas , though not regularly. I called the bank and offered 2.5 Million kwachas monthly while my business picked up. It was agreed, and for the past 12 months they continued to deduct that amount. All of a sudden i work up one morning check my statement, i discover they had deducted 5million k, and also 20million k, in the same month, without my permission, no prior notice of any form of communication sent to me. I felt violated,and financially insecure for a moment...
My question is how much power do banks have in zambia to go into my account and get money from my account.....without my consent? I know this happens in other countries but only with a court ruling ,i have never seen or experienced anything like this. Before i persue the legal route against the bank, i wanted to learn from you guys....
I know owe the bank, but how much say do i have? i was accumulating money in this account infect to pay them off, but i felt abused when this happened.... Is there anywhere i can read about bank rules in zambia or anything helpful? i tried bank of zambia website, didnt get much help
Any help welcome