Who's the best bank...?

[Bri w]

After yesterday's heated discussion with the lying bank manager, and the horrendous c0ck-up's they've made this year that have now, twice, cost us money its time to move banks.

But then there's Dyzio's post about the problems he's having, one or other examples posted up + Tim's comment that they're all as bad as each other.

After looking at numerous, glitzy, websites last night I'm not much further forward in making that choice. I've not put up every bank because it has to be mainstream, in the High St for when you need to talk to them and not the Natwest coz my cuz works there.

Who are you with, and why/what have they done for you?

[JamesMio]

I absolutely detest banks. Hate them. I can barely walk past a branch of the Clydesdale without feeling the urge to be violently sick over their front door. HBOS are little better.

However, having shifted to RBS when I went back to college, about 9 years ago, I've hardly had a single reason to complain.

Their online banking is spot on, staff at any of the branches I've been in we're good and actually able to sort things out there and then.

Can't fault them tbh, and please don't underestimate just how much I despise banks on the whole!

[Epic Monkey]

I use Natwest. They've been incredibly helpful in the past including stopping transactions going through to call and ask if I wanted my overdraft extended to avoid the fees - which was super helpful while I changed jobs.
I also use their advantage gold account. Small cost each month but I use a few
Of the extras like free mobile insurance for all "my" phones and free greenflag breakdown service.

[Bri w]

I absolutely detest banks. Hate them. I can barely walk past a branch of the Clydesdale without feeling the urge to be violently sick over their front door. HBOS are little better.

However, having shifted to RBS when I went back to college, about 9 years ago, I've hardly had a single reason to complain.

Their online banking is spot on, staff at any of the branches I've been in we're good and actually able to sort things out there and then.

Can't fault them tbh, and please don't underestimate just how much I despise banks on the whole!

I currently bank with the RBS, see earlier post, and although the branch in Manchester is fantastic, our local branch is like brown smelly goo.

[missyburd]

I've only ever been with HSBC but can't say I've had much issue with them (seeing as I'm still with them) and their online banking is spot on and staff are very helpful. But then I've not attempted mortgages, loans and paid off my overdraft as soon as I left uni and haven't ventured into it since so can't comment on that side of it!

[keith_d]

I've had the same Natwest account for 25 years and they've been boringly reliable. Even their online banking system has been available 99% of the time. I think I was among the lucky ones that weren't affected by their data systems glitch a few weeks ago too.

Every couple of years they suggest a review. So I pop in and meet one of their salesmen who goes through my financial and insurance position and completely fails to sell me anything. Always good.

There are a couple of niggles. I can't manage my (tiny) shares ISA through their online banking system because investments are a separate business unit. And the interest they pay on my rainy day money doesn't amount to much.

But on the whole they've done what it says on the tin.

[pookie]

bank of mum and dad ( AAA rating) or hsbc. The online banking is a bit of a faff with the new keypad thing otherwise all other functions seem ok ( they were pretty aggressive on getting mortgage business a little while ago.)

[454697819]

I moved from 15 years at lloyds to nationwide and they have been very good for my needs over the last two years,

good account, good credit card, good mortgage and a loan when I needed it - Staff pleasant and on-line banking pretty good.

[Sir Trev]

The problem is everyone's had a problem at some time with every bank. Been with Barclays ever since I found they had a sub-branch on campus when I went to uni in '87 and on the whole I've not had any issues. The only time an online payment failed they stumped up the late payment fee. Not overly competitive with savings or mortgages (even for long time account holders like me) but the current account has been fine.

[dizzyblonde]

I've banked with the Halifax since I was about 12, when I first got z cashcard account. Sure there's been ups and downs, and I've had several loans, mortgage deals, and accounts with them.
The only time I've seen trouble, is when Peg had a very very large sum put in his account as compo from his accident, and when he started utilising it, paying lots of things out, they shut it down for fraudulent activity!!!!!! Needless to say they did apologise, but they hsvent been the most fair with their charging system at times either.

As an aside, the Co-op is in a takeover bid for Lloyds, so might be worth checking out what they do.


I refuse to use online banking, I don't trust it, so can't comment about anything like that.

[Aidan]

I moved to firstdirect about a year ago. They paid £100 to move to them and £100 if you decided to leave. They're so good I'll forgo the second £100. Call them 24/7 and you are immediately answered by a human (in the UK!). There's no being put on hold. You can use HSBC for payments in and counter service.

[Littlepeahead]

I've been with Santander for 25 years and never had a problem. Call centre is OK. Online banking easy and you can pay cheque in at the ATM which is great. And the branch on my way to work opens at am. I have 3 accounts and it's a doddle to switch money between them. They even gave me cash over the counter when I went in with my card in 2 bits after sitting on it!

[L3nny]

I put a post like this up a few weeks ago and after doing some comparing on money saving expert I opened an account with First Direct. They have so far been brilliant, their internet banking is easy to use and on the couple of times I have called them I have got straight through to someone in the UK who knows what they are talking about.

They also give you £125 for opening an account, give you a £250 interest free overdraft and pay 8% interest on savings.

[yorkie_chris]

I'm with Halifax and they've been reasonable.

Had a couple of issues with fraud, one was when they tried to use my card for some dodgy business, they spent a quid on iTunes which was annoying as I wouldn't p*ss down their leg if their corporate feet were afire... but anyway they blocked the serious attempt.

Then later I had tried to draw some money out overseas and they blocked that and rang me with security questions etc. so can't really fault them for doing their best at that.

[dizzyblonde]

Oh yeah, I'd forgotten about that. Got a call once from the Halifax with security questions regarding why DB had spent 8k in one day through various transactions. Much better than you calling them to find out why someone has attempted that on your behalf in a scam!

[Owenski]

+1 for Natwest,
We did bank with Halifax but the accounts when compared direct to the Natwest ones natwest won every time. Note I had no complaints with the Halifax, its just natwest offered me more.

Moved to Natwest and if anything they're too helpful. As above I've had transactions declined only to get a call seconds later from Natwest asking if I approve said transaction. Their annual review is a nice touch and the features linked to the advantage gold account are fantastic. Free travel insurance for the family, free mobile insurance (any phone), free green flag breakdown.

My only complaint would be they don't have enough open branches at hours which suit my lifestyle.

[Bibio]

BOS = :rant:
TSB = :rant:
A&L = :notworthy: till they changes to Santandifyoudare :rant:

currently with RBS = :notworthy: had a small problem with an account change that was not meant to be but it got sorted and all charges reimbursed. cant fault them but i will say one thing, if you do get a problem then get a meeting with the person you have a problem with and the regional manager both together ;)

[The Idle Biker]

I've been with the Co-Operative Bank for 15 years.

I thoroughly recommend them to anyone that asks, on the proviso that you are not someone who wants to pop into a branch to do day to day business.

UK call centres, good internet banking pages,quick, knowledgeable and the deals and rates are usually always competitive.

I joined them because of the ethical banking standards they espouse but equally I stay with them because the service is good.

[dizzyblonde]

Surely they will have branches though, if the Lloyds takeover is successful? I did see on a news article how they will be dealing with Lloyds branches and their customers, mainly closing the branches and saying yer ours now to the customers.

[metalangel]

HSBC are a pain in the backside. When I first moved here and was accepted to university they refused me a student account with accompanying cards and railcard as I hadn't been in the UK long enough or something (even though I was accepted to a UK university!) so my dad went down to his branch and kicked up a huge fuss and they relented. They also gave me a useless Solo card despite the fact I had a full time job and had regular incoming going into my account.

Now I'm going back and they wanted to charge me £100 to set up a Canadian bank account so I could move cash across to get myself re-established over there. The charge is because I'm 'not a Premier customer'. Because my dad is, he was encouraged to visit his branch and his 'relationship manager' after about twenty attempts and numerous phone calls finally understood what we wanted and agreed to give me Premier status to avoid the £100 charge. Suffice it to say this wasn't properly communicated to the relationship manager in South Wales so all my forms have gone back now to him to be signed and approved as it was my dad's manager who made the deal, not mine.

They're completely hopeless if you need anything even slightly more complex than a current account, credit card or savings account. That includes a mortgage, as we made an appointment to see HSBC about getting a mortgage six years ago, our appointment was with a wide-eyed young lady who sat in front of us reading her own information pamphlets and saying 'wow, I didn't know we did that too!'.

[dkid]

Another vote for Natwest.

They're iPhone app is brilliant, don't know how I'd cope without it now.