Decent bank anyone?

[Countdown]

I'd still recommend First Direct but wait times for phone banking have become increasingly lengthy recently. (It might be because I use the 0345 number rather than 0845)

[drainbrain]

My current favourite's the call telling me the reason for the call's a secret which can't be revealed unless I go through security for data protection purposes. But I reply that before I divulge personal and confidential details how do I know who's on the other end of the (unsolicited) phone call? Could be anyone, especially with withheld or 0800 style numbers. And anyway, how did they get my number, name and the knowledge of who I bank with? Apparently it's on my record. So I ask them who they think it is on my end of the phone whose details they are using? They think it's me. So why are you asking me to verify it's me when you know it's me, and I don't know for certain who you are? Well you can call us back if you like? Unfortunately because I call you back and it's answered "Joe's Bank" doesn't mean it is Joe's Bank, and anyway I've no reason to call you back. It's you who called me. Well unless I go through security they can't help me. Okay. I didn't ask for or require any help anyway. But here's a solution which should satisfy all these data protected security requirements. Stick it in a letter and post it to the address you hold.

Very rarely does any letter ever arrive. Presumably because it was a scam from the word go.

[bugmenot]

I have accounts with various high street banks.

The Barclays and Lloyds/Halifax mobile apps are very easy and convenient to login. When it comes to desktop internet banking you are able to do many things with Santander, Lloyds/Halifax, Nationwide.

I rarely have reason to call any of them but I have found Barclays and Nationwide to be consistently bad on the phone. To me, there is quite clearly a training issue and their staff often give out incorrect information.

[piers1]

First Direct all day. 25 years with them, still 24hrs a day and the most helpful people when they answer. Never cocked up my banking either

[sunnydude]

I like Barclays; they have lots of branches in convenient places (i.e. not only in pedestrianised town centres), and their Barclays phone apps are good. I also like the fact that their online security system asks you to put your current debit card into a PINSentry device, enter your pin, which then gives you a code that you type into the website to allow you to log in.

[Russwhitehouse]

First Direct , no contest. Been with them over twenty years and see no reason to change. Barclays are beyond dreadful and have elevated it to an art form!

[Behemoth]

First Direct are ok but online facilities aren't set up for international transfers. Their forex dept is woefully understaffed on the phones. You get through the main desk then wait 5-10 mins before being connected. Last week, the phone line quality was poor and they made a mistake (and the forex operator didn't repeat back the tx he was making). Ultimately I got a refund for the mistaken transaction & fees, plus a free transaction next time around. Luckily, this time it wasn't a critical transfer. But it could have been (imagine if I was trying to close a deal on that barn find €10k Miura in the Alpine foothills? ).

So if you do international stuff often, think twice before heading for First Direct.

You might have thought they could patch in HSBC's international software, but sadly archaic software the banking fraternity tend to use just doesn't glue together easily.

[audidoody]

sunnydude said:

I like Barclays; n.

Barclays is fine. As long you don't EVER need to talk to a manager (or any human)

[drainbrain]

audidoody said:

sunnydude said:

I like Barclays; n.

Barclays is fine. As long you don't EVER need to talk to a manager (or any human)

Funnily enough, mine called me today following my email to him asking him to phone. Mind you my Santander manager is even easier. I just phone him.