First National Bank (FNB) has ruled out the possibility of its Twitter account having been hacked to post an offensive tweet to one of its followers yesterday. This is according to Steve Higgins, FNB's retail banking spokesperson.
The bank's social media personality, RB Jacobs, caused a Twitter storm when FNB posted a discriminatory statement in response to a question about recent radio advertisements.
User @gormleystuart asked: "Where has Steve disappeared to? Your radio campaign just isn't the same."
FNB's account @RBJacobs replied: "He's some where in Afghanistan, putting a bomb under a wheelchair and telling the cripple to run for it!" [sic]
The post was deleted a few hours later. Suzanne Myburgh, acting head of digital marketing and media at FNB, said the bank is "deeply disappointed in and sincerely apologises for the tweet published on Tuesday morning 22 April 2014 regarding the whereabouts of Steve. We find the comment distasteful and in conflict with our corporate values."
The incident is still under investigation and FNB says disciplinary action will be taken against those found responsible.
Mixed reaction
Many users lambasted the bank's Twitter account as screenshots of the offensive tweet made the rounds on social media.
@Abramjee: "#FNB tweet re Steve: I am sure heads are going to roll. Yet another warning: Think before you tweet..."
@gonnatryagain: "That #FNB tweet was distasteful. Hope the culprit is found."
Other users laughed off the incident as a mistake.
@mikestopforth: "The bottom line: Let he without sin cast the first tweet."
@ErikKruger: "Can we please move on from the #FNB tweet now? They have addressed it and it wasn't THAT offensive. #smh"
@Seriously130: "#fnb tweet was almost as funny as their bank charges!!!"
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