Who would you bank with now ?

[John Dorian]

I'm planning on opening another bank account and I am currently with Natwest and have been for about five years. I would happily stay with Natwest, as they have all of my accounts, but I am looking at the other options available.

So, Iv asked around, been into the banks and have got all the leaflets...and now, Northstandchat will decide !! I do want to go down and do it today, so the majority vote at 3.30pm will win it...How dya like the POWER !!

 

[Napper]

Poll?

Nat west is best, Can ring direct to branch and not go via India

 

[Titanic]

NatWest - after all you own 70% of it!

 

[Barry Izbak]

No hesitation in recommending First Direct.

 

[Benny Seagull]

even though i'm with barclays now i'd most definitely change. i owe them money so little difficult for me. plus i can't be arsed with the hassle.

if it were up to me i'd look at all the different cards and just pick my favourite. no matter who you're with it'll be run by tossers.

 

[Notters]

They're all the same

 

[NS Herald]

They're all the same

The customer service from Lloyds is non existant and I would suggest you try someone else.

 

[Ding Dong !]

Stick with natwest. Like someone said, their call centre is UK. That alone is worth it's weight in gold.

 

[glasfryn]

I have used the Co-operative bank for years and never had any trouble with them online on the phone or writing
a most excellent bank and one I might say that has not asked to be bailed out by the government

 

[TWOCHOICEStom]

Never had a problem with Nat West myself

 

[surrey jim]

Im with Lloyds- have a platinum account so have mobile insurance/breakdown cover/travel insurance/ID theft protection all bundled in for £17/month never had a problem. Their call centres are all in the UK. (in fact all credit card related issues are dealt with in Brighton)

The only issue is if you are bothered about what your debit card looks like avoid them with a 10 foot barge pole. They have the 2012 olympic logo splattered over their cards - look horrendous.

 

[beorhthelm]

They're all the same

no, they really are not.

I've found Halifax to always be helpfull and friendly, across about half dozen branches i've used. they seem to have kept the building society mentality, at least in their customer services and any problems are sorted quickly. they are pretty good, no complaints.

I have also used Lloyds and Abbey, they seemed indifferent, i worry how they'd react to a problem.

I have also banked with HSBC since the days it was Midland and they are not good. they still have paper pay-in slips they insist you use, they think its acceptable to make their branches into coffee lounges with only 2 counters and generally act like you are getting in their way of selling loans. they have sent me a replacement card for no reason twice without telling me, the first time to my old address (while sending statments to the correct one) and once stopped my account because i had used cheques books out of sequence (again, because they sent a new one i didnt ask for and didnt need).

but a friend of mine says he's never had a problem with them, so it somtimes down to branches i think.

 

[Tesco in Disguise]

co-op. the only ethical bank. and in an industry of snakes, a refreshing change.

 

[clippedgull]

Royal Bank of Scotland, effectively the same as Nat West as both are under the Royal Bank of Scotland Group.

Also as someone said earlier, we own the majority shareholding

 

[smiler]

I have used the Co-operative bank for years and never had any trouble with them online on the phone or writing
a most excellent bank and one I might say that has not asked to be bailed out by the government

Totally agree, been with them for 40 years and not one problem

 

[Hotchilidog]

I'm with smile, the internet branch of the Co-op absolutely no problems with them at all. They were also far removed from all the meltdown earlier in the year.

 

[Jack Straw]

It pays to decide, Nationwide.
Should be safe as houses.
Been with them for over 30 years.
Never had any problems.

 

[nail-Z]

No hesitation in recommending First Direct.

I wouldn't have contributed to this thread a couple of years ago, but having switched to FD since then I honestly believe they're better than any High Street bank by MILES.

When switching to them they also do all the work for you too. (Transfer direct debits, standing orders, etc)

When I moved a couple of years ago, they also gave me a £100 introductory payment and promised that if I wanted to move away after 6 months they'd pay me another £100. A month or so later also sent me a case of wine.

Customer services spot on, all based in Leeds. 24/7, never a problem.

 

[tinx]

Another vote for first direct here, they have been brilliant since I switched to them a couple of years ago, far better than NAtwest who I was with for 30 years before that.

 

[Bob!]

I've left both NatWest & Lloyds because of poor service. am currently with Barclays by default ( was with Woolwich until they merged).
If I was choosing now I'd go to The Co-operative Bank.