[Help] Best bank/building society?

[TomandJerry]

I'm looking to leave my current bank, I've heard good things about Halifax and Nationwide...

Just wondering if anyone else has switched recently?

 

[Wealden Seagull]

When I worked for the CAB a few years back my abiding memory of banks was steer clear of Santander, personally have had many nationwide accounts over the years and no issues at all.

 

[Husty]

Starling

 

[juliant]

If your looking at Nationwide then they have a £200 cash back for switching on the flexdirect currently. They all do the same thing pretty much nowadays dont they. Give you little interest and an app. Unless your looking for one on the high street local

Currently switching to them now. I make it a grand in 7 years now i have earnt by switching banks , they are not loyal to me so im not to them

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

Starling.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Nationwide is a true mutual, still owned by customers and borrowers, with no shareholders to require dividends.

 

[Rugrat]

Pretty much commodotised products/services now ... they all do the same thing and when they work they are fine, when anything goes wrong they are all gash. In saying that First Direct still score highest from a customer satisfaction perspective

 

[Official Old Man]

Same here. Natwest have decided to close their Uckfield branch, something we knew was on the cards for years, and now I need a local branch of a bank to be able to walk in to.

 

[Biscuit Barrel]

I have used The Coventry BS for a number of years now. They are brilliant. I can call them on the phone and can speak to a human being within a couple of mins.

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

First Direct have always been good to me.

I also have Starling as a back up (primarily for overseas usage)

 

[W3 BHA]

Another vote for First Direct - been with them for over 30 years. Exceptional service during that time AND you can ring up and talk to a REAL PERSON (!) 24/7 if that's your thing.

 

[Weststander]

I’ve been with First Direct since they started. Always excellent customer service at their call centres, without having to go through zzzzzzzz menu options and they actually speak clear English.

Starling are rated the best bank by Which.

 

[B-right-on]

I recently moved my business account from Rats Nest who aren't great after moving there from Barclays (awful awful bank) years ago, over to Monzo.

If you want an on line account, they are brilliant. Great app, website and service.

Have another account with Starling and they're good too.

 

[LamieRobertson]

Starling …use them for both business and personal app works really well and on the few times I’ve needed to use customer services they’ve been efficient and friendly ….although do use a Santander 123 for bills they pay cash back on….

 

[Seagull27]

If you don't need to pay in cash/cheques regularly then I'd definitely go down the Monzo/Starling route for current account. Their banks are designed around app usage and everything is so much more seamless than most high street banks, plus they are great for using abroad - no charges and MasterCard exchange rates. Both are pretty good for customer service I think as well, though it's all done through the app rather than speaking to someone.

They don't have good interest rates in savings, or switching bonuses though.

 

[danielson81]

Another vote for Starling here. You can also pay in cash at any post office and upload a cheque via the app.

 

[sparkie]

They mostly all will treat you badly when you need their help the most. Computer says "kick them when they are down and levy the highest charges on those least able to pay".

I'd just judge them on who has the nearest most convenient branch which is still open.

 

[The Rattler]

Midland/HSBC - for letting me steal a living for nearly 37 years, whilst doing about 20 years’ worth of work

 

[mwrpoole]

I changed to Virgin Money last year and they've been pretty good. The debit card is free to use overseas which is handy.
They pay decent interest on the current account up to £1,000 and give you a savings account paying the same interest. They have a sweep facility so as you spend the balance is maintained by moving funds from savings to current account, assuming you have the necessary funds!

 

[Weststander]

By coincidence, Martin Lewis covered this in detail on R5 this Wednesday.

From 10:40 minutes.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001cyfs