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!

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]

Originally Posted by 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!

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.

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.)

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.