Some of the banks seem to have taken criticism to heart and are planning to improve their services to you after the release of a parliamentary report this week.
After widely-followed hearings into the banking industry, parliament's trade and industry committee released the report calling for the creation of a task team to examine the financial services industry so that government can step in to push the banks into providing affordable services to more South Africans.
Meanwhile, the Banking Council, which testified at the hearings, has announced that it will be releasing a new draft Code of Conduct for discussion next week.
And some of the individual banks are planning to take steps to improve their services.
Nallie Bosman, group managing director at Absa Bank acknowledges that banks have not communicated with their clients properly. Absa, he says, will be beefing up its communications with you, especially about bank charges and interest rates.
At the same time, the bank will help you decide on the best way of using bank products and services.
Absa will be taking a hard look at its code of conduct and will make sure that its branches act in terms of the code.
The bank will also make sure that any barriers to opening up accounts are removed. While there are no official limits, Bosman says, it seems that some branch managers have been setting their own criteria, such as a minimum monthly income.
Support for consumers who feel intimidated by ATM technology is also on the cards.
Bosman says if you do not understand how an ATM works, then the bank must make staff members available to help you.
Security at ATMs will continue to be monitored. Already Absa has closed certain ATMs that are considered high risk because of repeated criminal activity.
Bosman says the bank has no intention of ditching you just because you don't earn big bucks Absa, he says, has the lowest bank charges in the country.
Mike Leeming, chief operating officer of Nedcor Bank, which includes Nedbank, Permanent Bank and Peoples Bank, says the bank will look seriously at any solutions proposed by the parliamentary task group.
In the meantime, if you bank with Nedcor, he says you can expect a marked improvement in services following a substantial investment in all areas affecting customer service by the bank last year.
Regarding more and better information on costs and charges, Leeming says the bank has always supported the principle of full disclosure and will continue to do so.
A Standard Bank spokesperson says the bank is "actively addressing" most of the issues raised by the Portfolio Committee.
First National Bank is still looking at the report and is considering its response.