AI reviews summary
Pros
Cons
Verdict
Individual branch staff are highly regarded for their professional and personal service. However, systemic issues with long wait times, unhelpful automated systems, and sudden account restrictions cause significant frustration. The contrast between positive face-to-face interactions and a perceived lack of digital and phone accountability is a recurring theme.
Avoid like the plaque! Went into my Moree branch. Said going overseas for two days. Gave the dates. Also. Want to update my new mobile number. All done. Get to airport. Order uber foods. Commonwealth bank asks for four digit number to submit. I RECEIVED THE NUMBER on the new mobile number. All good. All done. Then. Commonwealth bank says I… Read more
submitted wrong numbers in. So asked for another resubmitted four digit number. Waited and waited. No answer. Resubmitted again. Nothing. But. My old mobile number now comes up!! On my NEW mobile number. Of course I phone Commonwealth bank right away. Around 6pm. Waited ages. (Commonwealth bank gives, no time factor given for wait time period). Finally. Got very rude man. Said that I cannot have changed/given new mobile number/change. I said yes. Because I got a four digit number through, on the NEW mobile number. I explained, how, when asking for another four digit number to reset it. My old mobile number came up. On my NEW MOBILE PHONE. He asked me what day I went into bank? to change the number?, I told him. He cut me off. Totally dead phone. Back to square one. Do you think it is professional? At least let people know an approximate time wait. I will leave my account details so you can chase up the rude man who works for you. Get him some customer training?. Probably not, as I would imagine I would not be the only person he cuts off when it suits him. I would imagine other people complain. So that is how Commonwealth bank operates. Anyone looking to bank with Commonwealth bank? Go elsewhere. My main bank is St. George. Been there for years. Nothing is a problem. All friendly helpful. Avoid Commonwealth bank, why? Because, when you really need help? They are far from professional. Leave you stranded. I did all the right things. It is proven 200 percent. You cannot say I did not give Commonwealth bank my new number. WHEN COMMONWEALTH BANK SENDS FOUR DIGIT NUMBER TO MY NEW MOBILE NUMBER! Again. Commonwealth bank then sends it to my old mobile number. ON MY NEW MOBILE PHONE NUMBER! Simple. Too simple it explains itself. No lies. Just the plain simple truth. Cannot see a simple proof of execution. So ends conversation. That is the Commonwealth bank people.
Wauchope (NSW) finally installed a new ATM, I needed to withdraw $1400 to pay bills. The new machine (luckily I had asked it to print a receipt) paid me $0 and shut down. The screen displayed ‘technical fault’. I went into the bank and after sometime was given a notice of ‘ATM Shortpay’. It will take up to 21 days for them to get back to me or… Read more
even 45 days and along the way they will provide monthly updates. So my bills remain unpaid and trust a CBA ATM? Never.
Fantastic experience with Jaco van Staden, senior lending manager CBA Morisset. Jaco is very supportive, helpful and professional. He is very contactable and returns call quickly. I was able to achieve my goal with his valuable support. Show details
Reviews with attachments
Not transgender friendly , or teretz syndrome friendly, said i would get a warrning , and didnt give it and still they terminated my banking with them , inc power of attorney abilitys
Two weeks ago I wrote a review on the state of the two ATM'S at the Grafton branch. This time I took a couple of pics, It just goes too show all the billions they make."profit" comes before hygiene.
3rd world country run loan sharks – They make it easy to have your acc info hacked online, quick to take fees, have you driving around for endless hours looking for a atm that isn't out of order, and i can't even send MY MONEY I WORK FOR Back home for donations to my Marae. Thieves liars and scam artists Show details
Don't trust their coin counting machines. Should have checked my receipt before I left. Found out when I got home and checked my receipt, I was short-changed by $5.40. Too late to drive 50 kms back up the highway. All coins were counted into correct denomination bags, but the counter kept throwing back $2 coins, then accepted them 2nd time around. Suggest you take your coin to the counter and make the tellers do their job and you can watch them
Open banking completely bungled by CommBank. We registered early 1 April, and are still shown as registering in the CommBank online banking. But then they disconnected us, and we could not reconnect - message see below. Staff could not understand why, so said we need to register again. So we did. Then the Open banking team said that we were already authorised so they could not process the new form Show details
Recently, CBA decided to shut down its Awards program, which of course is their right to do. However, I’m very disappointed with how they are handling the points redemption. They say, *“We are currently experiencing a technical issue affecting digital gift card redemptions”* and that the issue is being worked on. I’ve waited several days, but the… Read more
same message is still there. It makes me wonder whether this is really a technical issue, or simply a way to discourage customers from redeeming points for gift cards. For example, redeeming points for cashback gives customers much less value than redeeming them for gift cards. So it feels like CBA may be using this situation to push customers towards lower-value options and, in turn, reduce the cost of closing the Awards program. If that’s the case, I don’t think it’s a fair way to treat customers.
Applied for a personal loan and given me 20.5% interest, I was ripped off , I needed the money so I just sacrifice paying for a very high interest plus monthly servicing fees omg this bank is a scam, I have been with this bank for so many years. But still I got ripped off, don’t get a loan from this bank go with Plenti instead they are good and fair company.
ive ben with commbank for 20 yeqrs i've never had to show a photo ID before my birth. Certificate was fine and another document. I mean, what's all the fuss about anyway? I don't have that much money.\n So all of a sudden after 19 years, my account gets locked. Every single card is locked. I have no more access to the app or internet banking or… Read more
phone banking completely locked out because I need to show some photo ID when I've never had it.\n Now I was unable to pay for anything because I didn't have a card.My money was logged in the account and then I had to make arrangements with the new bank.So it put me in a bit of a situation and no matter what , they would not unlock the account i've got 2 credit cards with them that are maxed out so I can't pay those back and\n I had recently lost my job, and it was in Melbourne on vacation. So it was making things very, very difficult.\n But they didn't care, they just wanted that photo ID, no matter what, like why does it post a big deal?\n To have to do that to someone just for a photo Ike If I had known that was the case , then I would have avoided this , and probably just got really bad luck and I don't know what's happened, but, you know, I hope this doesn't happen to anyone else, but, yeah, yes, what happened to me.
[Content Removed] service Tried 3 days in a row but everytime it takes over 1 hr and no guy picking up the call. Just tired of this [Content Removed] Bank with [Content Removed] attitude . Their CEO braggs all [Content Removed] Show details
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I am extremely disappointed and honestly shocked by how I was treated. On 18 February 2026, I received an email informing me that all my bank accounts were being closed due to a “commercial decision” and that no reason would be provided. I was immediately locked out of my accounts and unable to access my own money. No notice. No warning. No… Read more
explanation.
I could not log in. I could not transfer funds. I could not use money that legally belongs to me. This created immediate financial hardship and significant stress.
The email stated that a cheque would be sent for the remaining balance, but it did not explain clearly whether I could withdraw funds at a branch or how long I would be left without access to my own money.
When I called for clarification, the first staff member transferred me and the line disconnected due to “outside business hours.” The next morning, I called again at 9:45am. The male staff member who answered did not introduce himself and spoke to me in a dismissive, condescending tone.
When I explained that I had been locked out of my accounts and could not access my funds, he repeatedly asked, “So how can I help?” as though the situation was somehow my fault. He then told me that account closure and accessing funds were “different issues.”
He eventually said I could go into a branch to withdraw my money but wasn’t even sure what the withdrawal limit would be. This completely contradicted the email, which said a cheque would be sent. When I pointed this out, he responded, “That’s why you’re calling now.”
The most disturbing comment was when he said, “We do this 100 a day and unfortunately you’re one of those.” That statement was deeply offensive and made me feel as though I was being treated like a criminal.
All funds in my accounts are from legitimate wages and transfers from my partner. I have no debts, no suspicious activity, nothing improper.
If the bank chooses not to continue a relationship with me, that is their decision. But locking customers out without clear communication, causing financial hardship, and treating them with disrespect is unacceptable.
Customers deserve transparency, dignity, and basic professionalism.
As a CommBank Yello Plus customer in Melbourne (benefits extended to June 2026), I was excited about the exclusive Amber Electric offer: up to $150 welcome credit over 12 months for Plus tier (promoted heavily on commbank.com.au and amber.com.au/cba-yello, valid until 30 June 2026). Despite meeting all criteria (15+ outbound transactions, $500+… Read more
eligible balance for 15 days), the Amber offer simply never showed up in the "Offers" section of the CBA Yello hub. The app showed "No new offers yet. Check back later" for weeks, even after my transactions and balance updated (finally showing 15/15 after a delay). Steps I took:
Reinstalled the app (as advised by 132221 support on Feb 10). Called CommBank twice on Feb 10: Both times told "nothing wrong on your end" – just wait or reinstall (no fix). Submitted a formal complaint (CF-15151868681C) on Feb 12 via the app. Received confirmation it's under review, with a manager to be assigned in 2-3 working days (up to 7 in busy periods). As of mid-Feb 2026, it's still open with no updates, no assignment visible, and no resolution. Meanwhile, other offers appeared (e.g., Uber One, Origin Energy specials, travel credits), but Amber remained missing despite the partnership being active and promoted.
This has wasted significant time and prevented me from claiming a meaningful energy discount for my solar + battery setup. The "data may take up to 48 hours to update" excuse doesn't hold when delays stretch weeks, support provides no real troubleshooting/escalation, and the complaint process feels unresponsive. CommBank Yello promises "exclusive benefits" and "personalised offers," but in practice, it's unreliable and frustrating. If key partner offers like Amber don't appear for eligible customers, what's the point? Poor execution all around – avoid relying on Yello for anything important.
This morning (February 19, 2026), the Amber offer finally appeared in my CommBank Yello 'Offers' section .
I have been with Commonwealth for 8 years and I have decided to never bank with them again. I sold my car and as soon as I receive the fund from my buyer and my buyer took my car with him, Commonwealth decided to freeze my account ($0 shown on my account as my fund got frozen) with their reason being the fund is investigated for scam related fund… Read more
or ilegally obtained fund. How am I as a normal civillian able to run a credit check on my buyer and know exactly where his money is coming from? And then they also told me I am also getting investigated for scam or fraud. I got an email saying my fund maybe seized if its a scam related fund. So I am will be left with no car and no money. How is this not a criminal act from a bank? They told me they will need 3 days and my account will stay frozen. Am I supposed to just live in the streets cause I will not be able to pay my rent and food because Commonwealth decided to investigate matters beyond my control? They expect me to force my buyer to contact their bank, but their bank (St George) can only say that the funds are already with Commonwealth and its a Commonwealth issue as the fund is already out of my buyer’s account.
As a Commonwealth customer, I realized that commonwealth will not protect you as their only customer.
I signed up for a 5 month net bank saver high interest account. Be warned after 1 month they will change the variable component, even though their conditions online say it won't change until after the introductory period of 5 months. And then to add further insult, they don't then give you the new *introductory rate* available online, they will… Read more
put you on much less. An internal review from the manager, who is condescending AF, will give you no results. Escalating to the Complaints Team also gives no results. Oh by the way no email about the change of rate You have to dig into your account information and it's hidden away (takes about 5 clicks to find the info). Unethical conduct, no customer service and no concept of customer retention. Note the sentence attached, sentence 3, *At the end of the introductory rate period the Net bank Saver standard variable rate applicable at that time will apply*, is false. They will adjust it as soon as they feel like it. To give you all a further update, yesterday I went to close my account. I arrived into the digital queue at 12:36pm and was 8th in queue. By 1:22pm we had a message to say we were near the front of the queue and to return to the branch. We walked back to the branch arriving at 1:27pm. By 2pm, we still had not been served. Finally we were called 45 minutes later. I was rude, frustrated, and the staff member serving me, whilst trying to remain professional could see I was clearly upset, and basically told me she was refusing me service. I explained to her I had the flu, and had wasted almost three hours by now at the bank and should be home. She still refused to serve me for my 'attitude'. I wonder how she would feel if the bank changed her interest rate and made her lose over $4k in 4 months without telling her? I heard an elderly man in the next office, also getting irate and was sadly asked to leave. The bank and staff have no conflict resolution skills, other than asking you to leave. I had to back down and 'apologise' so I could move MY money and I didn't swear or call her names, I simply told her how disgusted I was in the bank and how unethical it was. She threatened to make me come back tomorrow and wait again (wow!) finally she agreed to close the account. It then was sent to another staff member to come and verify. I asked about the waivering of the $30 tfr fee for all the hassles, delay and misleading information, and was told, that she would lose her job to waiver the fee. I enquired with the 2IC who came into the review my transaction, but lucky [Name Removed] (the oh so savvy bank manager had told her he had already denied me this request, way to go [Name Removed], for one of your highest saving branch customers, aren't you just a gem saving your branch $30 whilst losing my money, and also nowhere to be seen helping your staff, or trying to salvage your customers walking out the door, you hid in your office all day). In summary it took 4 staff, and almost 3 hours to close the account. i exited the CBA Orion branch at 3:26pm, sick, tired and disgusted with their threats (to make me come back another day!)The saddest part, not one person said 'how can we fix this'? To add insult, an email 'summary' came through from Primus at the Customer Complaints Team. He refused to even put me on the current Net Saver Introductory Rate of 4.45% because that was for 'privileged new customers'. Let me warn everyone stay away from CBA. After 1 month you will no longer receive the rate guaranteed, or be a new or 'privileged' customer. When I asked Primus how he would remedy this situation to retain my business, he simply said my case was closed. No attempt to keep me as a customer. Today, the most satisfying part of my day, was transferring all my funds to St George, who not only offer a better rate than CBA, but exceptional customer service at their Orion Branch . Do yourself a favour and take your hard earned money elsewhere. CBA, and & CBA Orion do not appreciate your custom. No wonder people are getting asked to leave the bank, when you treat them so poorly.
If there was a negative star review, it would be most certainly be -5 STARS Review of Commonwealth Bank Australia (CBA) – A Caution for Small to Medium Businesses Commonwealth Bank Australia (CBA) promotes its CAN campaign to attract small and medium-sized business clients. However, in practice, it appears that CBA has become increasingly… Read more
disconnected from the needs of these businesses.
One major concern is their practice of holding payments for up to 24 hours. During this time, CBA reportedly leverages these funds on foreign exchange markets, effectively "gambling" with client money while payees wait unnecessarily. To put this in perspective, imagine CBA holding transfers amounting to hundreds of millions for a full day— the interest alone on such sums could surpass what many individuals earn in a lifetime. This practice raises significant concerns about the prioritization of customer service versus bank profit.
Moreover, despite their substantial profits, CBA’s online banking platform and website experience frequent outages, causing frustration and disruption for users.
For small to medium businesses seeking reliable banking services, I recommend considering alternatives such as St George Bank (an affiliate of Westpac). Their service is more consistent, online banking is dependable, and you can speak to real customer service representatives rather than dealing with automated systems like CBA’s AI assistant, Ceba, which many find lacking.
In conclusion, while CBA remains a dominant and wealthy institution, their service model for small to medium businesses leaves much to be desired. I urge business owners to carefully consider their options — sometimes even small actions, like switching banks, can send a strong message.
Caveat Emptor.
I had so much trouble ordering a $26 meal from Menulog tonight. I’ve been ordering with Menulog for years. The bank has put a protection of scammers alert on Menulog making it impossible to order a simple meal from your credit card. I kept trying and trying to eventually locked out of my own credit card. Thanks to this bank no food for me tonight.… Read more
37 years of loyalty this is how they treat you. I made calls of 2 hours on the phone and struck some workers who I refer to as idi*ts. Waste of my time.
Latest follow-ups
Improved Telephone Customer Services – The Commonwealth Bank has improved it's communication and helping customers when struggling financially, with agreeable help. Show details
Follow-up · The Banks have taken the law into there own hands, Scam and Fraud Teams, Commonwealth Bank is the worst, one star for their helpful telephone banking support teams!
This long battle with Commonwealth Bank online, has finally been settled, in my favour, I would… Read more
Please Read IMPOSSIBLY UPSET: After 18 years of being a loyal customer my accounts have been closed without notice or explaination Usually, never… Read more
have issues. Never complained about Commonwralth bank once in 18 years...until now...Been using the City Commonwealth Branch for years and years. Usually fair customer service...
...but it has gone down hill so much.
They fob you off, ignore you, treat you like a nuiscance unless you can make them money, fob you off machines or other numbers to call. Never quality onsite help.
I came in on the 13/10/2026 to sort our a major issue. Again, I never once complained about Commonwealth Bank once in 18 years...until now...
Now, Commonwealth Bank is known for being one of the Big 4, therefore you have to tolerate their poor customer service and poor banking.
But after 18 years of being a loyal customer, my accounts which I opened in 2008 have been frozen and closed with an emails notice only and leaving me with no access to my money. They are apparently sending me a letter explaining things but my accounts and money were immediately made unnaccessible.
Citing a "commercial decision" I have been left with zero recourse and zero chance to fix this do I can continue being a loyal customer.
Debanking should be outlawed. People can be flagged for perfectly innocent things that just trip something. If they are notorious for crimanal behaviour and have police records then obviously thats completely different.
But those with clean records, no. Especially since banks function as public services even if they are private institutions.
Banks should also be prevented from debanking since providing a bank for your employer or to recieve government benefits to pay you is essentially mandatory, banks should not be just able to debank you since they essentially forced onto you by the government to use, they function as public organisations, so they should lose the ability to hide behind bring a private business.
Banks really need to be humbled back to reality.
Branch customer service was unhelpful, phone and online assistance has been very unhelpful, pitiful even.
All this has left me feeling like criminal.
All this scrambling has left me feeling anxious, scared and depressed and uncertain about my future.
I have formally raised a complaint with CBA and AFCA. Hopefully this catches the eye of somebody who can help and my banking access can restored which is all I want.
22/10/2026 Offered me $1,000.00 compendation to essentially go away. I will cintinue through AFCA.
This review will stand until I am rightfully granted my banking priviliges again.
In the mean time I will bank elsewhere.
EDIT: Came in about 3.15 pm to withdraw the last of money from Debanking.
Sonia, the teller did not even ask or flinch when I mentioned I was withdrawing due to Debanking. Zero concern, no initiative to query or offer support of any kind.
Says everything you need to know.
EDIT 2: Warning Stephen Dixon, the manager of this branch is, kid you not, the coldest, rudest, and most aggressive bank person I have ever encounted in my life. Talk about a smiling assassin.
Do not bank here or especially at this branch. They routinely fob you off to automated methods, numbers to call or just don't do anything and if you are still not put off from them DO NOT allow Stephen to assist you. Be very choosy with who helps you at this branch.
Ask for ANYONE else. PERIOD.
It looks like my Banking Journey with Commonnwealth Bank, after 18 years is ended. What a sour end.
Seriously friends, heed my warning...GO ELSEWHERE...FAST. They can and will debank you for no reason cited, no explaination and no recourse/appeal. Save yourself. AVOID THIS BRANCH AND COMMONWEALTH BANK
This review will stand in perpetuity as long as this poor treatment of me continues. It will stand until my banking privileges are restored and/or I recieve compensation for this disruptive, stressful and harrowful experience and/or this branch improves.
Very unhappy.
Follow-up · Please Read STILL IMPOSSIBLY UPSET: After 18 years of being a loyal customer my accounts have been closed without notice or explaination Usually, never have issues. Never complained about Commonwralth bank once in 18 years...until now...Been using the City Commonwealth Branch for years and years. Usually fair customer service... ...but it has… Read more
Follow-up · They hell bent on closing my accounts. No recourse, no cgance to prove my integrity.
Seriously friends, heed my warning...GO ELSEWHERE...FAST. AVOID THIS BRANCH AND COMMONWEALTH BANK
My recent visit to CBA Fountain Gate Branch has been an appalling experience. Staff were unapproachable and lack customer focus. DEMANDED that I provide my signature on a small piece of paper as proof though I offer my driver license as proof of my… Read more
identify. Requested more information on credit fees after 1 Oct changes as most cards have reduced benefits but KEPT FEES the same. After doing some research I found a card with similar features but fees much lower. I requested a Credit Card switch to the lower fees card and requested TWICE for a COPY of my application but was REFUSED and the reason given, the application that I signed WAS AN INTERNAL BANK DOCUMENT. This was clearly incorrect. CBA made nearly $10B profit but yet branches keep closing. Customer Service continued to DECLINE. Fees and Charges HIGHER or SAME as Benefit reduced. Banking has been pushed ONLINE where the customer do most of the work resulting in Branch Staff NOT properly trained and NOT providing proper or correct information to Customer on more complex transactions. I have therefore lodged a complaint to CBA and awaiting a response
Follow-up · My complaint against CBA is going nowhere. The matter was escalated to AFCA. A Manager Critical and Complex Complaints Group Customer Relations was allocated to address my complaint but despite a promised to contact me on Monday to discuss the issue, I have still to hear from him. Either CBA Manager Critical and Complex Complaint Group Customer… Read more
This a a follow up on my Complaint to CBA. The complaint is on SOLID ground where Staff are found… Read more (+2 replies)
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Positive reviews
I am really impressed with services rendered by Massimo at your Chatswood Branch. He was very helpful and able to provide quick and efficient resolutions to my queries。 Good job!
I visited CBA branch Cloverdale, at Belmont Forum Shopping Centre, earlier today. I have been assisted by Nina who was extremely supportive, helpful and very pleasant to work with. She answered all my questions and helped me with a 'bit complicated' transaction. Thanks Nina. Show details
My wife and I were dreading our attendance at the High Street Branch regarding the consequences of an unauthorised entry on our account. We initially spoke with Karen the Concierge who in turn directed us to Nisha in a consultation room. My wife and I were struggling with anxiety and hearing difficulties so Nisha requested the presence of the… Read more
Manager, Rose GJORESKA who, very quickly calmed us with her smiling manner and at times, humorous presence. Together, they guided us through the process involving new banking cards and the ongoing consequences of that action. My wife and I would like to thank the team at this branch, Karen, Nisha and especially the Manager, Rose, all of whom are a credit to the Commonwealth Bank.
Negative reviews
I got an email saying I was being given a year free on Doordash, so followed all their steps, signed up and got 1 month only. So I googled the problem and was advised that there was a conflict between a free pass and the offer from CBA. I had do delete the credit card, delete and reinstall apps and try again, this time through CBA. This time I… Read more
was given 3 months.... better but still not a year. Googled again, and was told its an app conflict with CBA because "CBA Yello" gives 3 months but my CBA credit card offers a year. Followed all the steps again, delete, reinstall, activate doordash pass from CBA site etc etc, and its now back to one month. You know what guys, just forget it.
Trying to navigate around complex site is too difficult. Wait time when phoning is excessive & you have to listen to an enormous amount of excessive superfluous inconsequential narrative before you’re put on never ending hold. For the profit CBA is making, why can’t you employee more English as a first language Operators. Quality of online &… Read more
phone engagements is abysmal. I’ve made numerous attempts to use Ceba & it’s the most frustrating, inept, unfriendly programme I’ve ever used. It can’t understand basic questions & will cut you off after repeated attempts to seek an answer. I’ve ended up in tears with complete failure of a bot programme
This bank has no regard for its customers. Their call centre queues are 50+ minutes. They want to KYC (know your customer) and for me this is becoming a KYEC - know your ex customer. 8x multimillion dollar accounts gone as well as a significant share holdings (including CBA shares). I guess the share price is the canary in the coal mine and I should have moved sooner. Disgusted.
Recent reviews
CBA froze all my bank accounts the day before my kids birthday party, and made it difficult for me to pay the venue. All because I made a transfer to another bank which was offering over 6% interest on savings. Their excuse suspicious activity, they were unable to reverse things until their office hours opened the next day. I have begun moving… Read more
everything over to another smaller bank. Be sure you stash some cash away for moments like this if you are with CBA. No apology given to me yet.
This add is very misleading, we waited over 96 +hours and no contact except from AI Bots. Drove us nuts so we rang combank and was advised to be paitent for 48 hours, we went to a branch after 48 hours with still nothing and a lovely worker there couldnt do any thing other than try and esculate our claim...we then recieved another AI message … Read more
advising us that it will be another 24-48 hours to get a human to manually go through our application. We waited another 8 hours then cancelled the application and went with another loan company and it was all done within 24 hours and we only dealt with a human! Accelerate your frustration is more like it!!!!
I checked again earlier today and the notice was finally gone. It's a miracle that they "fixed the issue quickly".. wow