Re: New bank account
 

Aren't they the same as HSBC? I am sure I could storm out of there instead.

Nationwide are totally incompetent. Unfortunately I have been with them since my first bank account, a recent complaint with them proved how completely and utterly useless they are.

Even the chief executives assistant f*cked up 3 or 4 times with my complaint.

Re: New bank account
 

The best bank? I'm not sure there is such a thing - but if there is it's the branch, not the company.

In my experience Barclays have been far and away the best, but that's because of the lengthy and positive relationship I've had with the people in the branch, not because it's Barclays specifically.

Re: New bank account
 

I've been with First Direct along time and never had any reason to even think about changing, their online banking portal and app for iphone are excellent, and when I do need to talk to a Human being, their telelphone customer service is excellent as well.

Re: New bank account
 

Lloyds TSB

LPH do you ever go in branch?
I refuse to pay out in for me old man now as I've waited 45 minutes in a 5 person que (5 people on and everyone paying in ahead) more than once.

Re: New bank account
 

Nationwide.


It's not a bank it's a building society. If you keep your money with banks you lose any right to criticise the mess they've got into and continue to keep us in, find a building society, any building society and give them your business, just give the banks two fingers (for the sake of full disclosure my mortgage is with a bank but on that amount of money I couldn't afford not to)

Re: New bank account
 

yes you can and I forgot to mention about the £100, I took advantage of that. I think they possibly give you £50/£100 if you leave them after 6 months out of unhappiness with them - I didn't leave them.

Their service is good (and yes you can use HSBC branches) but their 'unapproved overdraft charges' are ****ing ridiculous...however when you kick off they do tend to overturn them in fairness to them.

Re: New bank account
 

I've been with Lloyds for well over twenty years. I had a couple of moments when I was skint after I finished Uni, but they were down to one manager and I managed to get myself assigned to one with more common sense and I've not had an issue since (I was being charged £20 every month for being less than £10 overdrawn. The original manager refused to waive just one month's charge, despite having the authority to do so. Her replacement was a bit more sensible luckily). We also use Nationwide who are pretty good. Especially if you go abroad as they are one of the few who don't charge extra to use the credit card

Re: New bank account
 

Have you considered the Santander 123 account? Gives you cash back on your direct debits! I get about £7 back a month - just for setting up water, gas + electric etc...

Re: New bank account
 

Another vote for Natwest here. I've been with them years and they've been completely boring.

There was a brief phase where they tried to sell me an 'account upgrade' but I think I've disabused them of that notion now. Otherwise I've had no problems at all.

Keith.