O/T Change of Bank

[langy]

OK i think it's time i changed banks. I'm currently with the Woolwich and they have f*%ked me around a few times, i have transfered my mortgage to someone else and they are now telling me i have to close my account to get the ex girlfriend's name removed from the account.

So do i stay with them, go back to the HSBC or try someone new   if go elsewhere, has anyone got any recommendations ?

Cheers

Sean

[Boxerman33]

I have my mortgage with the Woolwich and agree that they're sh*t.

Barclays are OK but I keep hearing good things about 1st direct and Egg. But only if you bank online.

[peterg]

I have several accounts with Lloyds TSB who are OK, and Intelligent Finance (part of Halifax) which is easy to use online and you can have debit card/cheque book/credit card accounts all linked.

Not tried them personally (yet) but I know lots of people who have recommended First Direct as being the nest to deal with  

[Martin Keene]

I was always unsure about how good Barclays were, until SWMBO moved in... She is with Lloyds TSB and the amount of sales crap she gets is unreal. Telephone calls, mail, etc. Ad when she actually wanted tem for a loan they wouldn't give her one!

I never hear a peep out of Barclays unless I ring them. And their telephone banking is first rate. 24/7 with direct access with a pin code. They will let you set up standing orders and direct debits, change them to and move money between accounts all over the phone. Never have to go to the bank anymore.

[adhawkins]

I switched to Smile a few years ago. Sensible interest rate on the current account, good rates on the savings, isa and visa. Never had a problem with them.

Andy

[Stuart]

Been with First Direct for years.  Very good indeed.  Do most on line with the odd phone call.  Only thing I dislike is all the junk mail they send me, but I suppose you get that with all of them.

Highly recommended.

[langy]

Cheers for the responses (does anyone on here actually do there day job ) anymore recommendations ?

Sean

[gadrego]

I currently have Abbey, Lloyds and HSBC accounts (don't you just love ex-students).  Abbey are awful to deal with and at times plain rude.  Lloyds seem ok but do tend to fill the letterbox up.  HSBC are excellent to deal with and have been very helpful at times.  Hearing good things about the internet banks but I like the fact the I can go into any of the high street banks and speak to someone face to face if I'm being messed around.

[potster]

Halifax are excellent. Been with them about 16 years and have not one single complaint.

That includes savings, current account, mortage etc.

[Martin Keene]

does anyone on here actually do there day job

Sorry, doesn't compute...

[Tubs]

They're all much of a muchness, but the analysts do say that Bank of Scotland, or HBOS is the standard setter for customer service.

The main thing is to manage them and your account. The bank may sound kind and caring, but their job is to make money out of you . So check the small print and be aware that if you do something wrong ie go over your O/D limit, then that is normally their chance to make money.

Personally, I use Lloyds TSB and they've always done as they're told.

[Ted]

Been with First Direct for 8yrs, no complaints. Phone banking and Internet banking, bought my Westie with a loan arranged over the internet whilst out in the desert!! They have refunded me interest charged on my credit card when I forgot to make a payment as a gesture of goodwill and are always quick to sort any problems/queries.

All in all very happy with them and just wish more companies had as good customer service

TED

[JeffC]

Highly Recomend abbey national , never have any issues with them on a mortgage, they were the only people that would stick there neck out when i first went self employed, no junk mail from them...

also recomend barclays... they have a car park right outside so you dont have any hassle parking    

[Mrs Westy]

We left Barclays because their interest payments were too low and their bank charges too high.  If you have regular internet access, many of the internet banks give much better rates. The only thing to watch with internet banks is whether there is somewhere you can pay cash directly into for immediate use; we are with cahoot and can pay cash into the Post Office but it still takes 3-4 days to clear which isn't a lot of use if you have a Direct Debit to pay in the meantime!

If you don't want to go internet based, have a look on the web at the interest payments/bank charges.  It will give you a pretty good idea of where you're getting screwed.  Incompetence with general banking issues is often a matter of your local branch staff, so personally I'd go for the rates/charge approach and ask locally if your local branch of whoever has the best rates/charges is any cop.

[Guest]

Have had very good experiences with HSBC over many years, both internet and in person.  Always get a good response to queries and helpful in things like international transfers.

Cheers, John