Discussion
I did, until around 18 months ago. Generally good; great service. They aren't what I'd call a 'full-service' bank though. For instance, they use HSBC for card merchanting somethgin or other, but I'm buggered if I can remember what. It was a pain in the arse to set up though, whatever it was..
For straightforward banking, I'd say yes. If you have a personal relationahip with them, then so much the better (as long as you don't mind having both under one roof). If your needs are complex, I'd suggest having a look around first, and scoping out your specific requirements.
Their online banking is pretty good, once you've got through the interminable log-in process.
For straightforward banking, I'd say yes. If you have a personal relationahip with them, then so much the better (as long as you don't mind having both under one roof). If your needs are complex, I'd suggest having a look around first, and scoping out your specific requirements.
Their online banking is pretty good, once you've got through the interminable log-in process.
Edited by Doofus on Tuesday 18th October 14:54
Doofus said:
I did, until around 18 months ago. Generally good; great service. They aren't what I'd call a 'full-service' bank though. For instance, they use HSBC for card merchanting.
For straightforward banking, I'd say yes. If you have a personal relationahip with them, then so much the better (as long as you don't mind having both under one roof). If your needs are complex, I'd suggest having a look around first, and scoping out your specific requirements.
Their online banking is pretty good, once you've got through the interminable log-in process.
Thanks for that - how come you left them if you don't mind me asking?For straightforward banking, I'd say yes. If you have a personal relationahip with them, then so much the better (as long as you don't mind having both under one roof). If your needs are complex, I'd suggest having a look around first, and scoping out your specific requirements.
Their online banking is pretty good, once you've got through the interminable log-in process.
I have a contact who has quite a good relationship with them, they set up quite a useful borrowing facility for btl property for example which is something i imagine the high street banks could not do.
Is there anywhere else i should be looking? Main priorities are good personal service, common sense on decisions etc. preferred, no call centres etc.
Metro would be good but no branches locally.
Doofus said:
For instance, they use HSBC for card merchanting somethgin or other, but I'm buggered if I can remember what. It was a pain in the arse to set up though, whatever it was..
Already have a 3rd party merchant account, so just need straightforward account for accepting transfers etc. The fact that they make decisions locally massively appeals. Does anyone else know more about how this works? So it's like an old school bank you can see the manager and put your case to them for lending etc?
Edited by trowelhead on Tuesday 18th October 15:03
I'm currently using them for my personal bank account in Norway. I've had very good service from them so far, I got introduced by my father in law who has used them for his business for fun ding on 5 cabins so they love him as he's making them quite a bit of cash, the sertvice from them is very personal.
NordicCrankShaft said:
I'm currently using them for my personal bank account in Norway. I've had very good service from them so far, I got introduced by my father in law who has used them for his business for fun ding on 5 cabins so they love him as he's making them quite a bit of cash, the sertvice from them is very personal.
Super, thanks for that! I do some property development on the side so this is interesting to me.When you say cabins, are those like holiday lets?
Look at Cater Allen as another option. You can open a free account with them with no minimum balance limits through contractoruk.com (regardless if you are a contractor or not).
No outsourced call centres, a little bit "traditional" in their approach (read: paper work emailed/faxed to do most things rather than extensive online services). But I had a problem with an online payment last week; it took 2-3 calls to sort out but each time the phone was answered straight away and I was straight through to someone who was incredibly helpful and helped resolve the situation.
I've been with them for 3-4 years and they've always had fantastic customer service and I essentially bank with them for free!
No outsourced call centres, a little bit "traditional" in their approach (read: paper work emailed/faxed to do most things rather than extensive online services). But I had a problem with an online payment last week; it took 2-3 calls to sort out but each time the phone was answered straight away and I was straight through to someone who was incredibly helpful and helped resolve the situation.
I've been with them for 3-4 years and they've always had fantastic customer service and I essentially bank with them for free!
I am just moving my personal banking to Handlesbanken having recommended them to a number of clients (I am an IFA)
The only real frustration so far is that they are very strict about each branch only taking on clients in their own geographic area. This means that it is more difficult to build a relationship with one particular branch as every client ends up at a different one! Because I live 20 miles from Southampton I cannot be looked after by the Southampton branch even though a number of my colleagues are.
I really like the 'old fashioned' ethos and having a 'real' personal bank manager empowered to make his or her own decisions. They are just in the process of lending me a significant amount and whilst thorough, have been very fair with their terms and more flexible than most. The final straw with my bank of 15 years (First Direct) was when their 'computer says no' approach, Handlesbanken seem far more open minded and flexible so long as you can put forward a persuasive case.
The only real frustration so far is that they are very strict about each branch only taking on clients in their own geographic area. This means that it is more difficult to build a relationship with one particular branch as every client ends up at a different one! Because I live 20 miles from Southampton I cannot be looked after by the Southampton branch even though a number of my colleagues are.
I really like the 'old fashioned' ethos and having a 'real' personal bank manager empowered to make his or her own decisions. They are just in the process of lending me a significant amount and whilst thorough, have been very fair with their terms and more flexible than most. The final straw with my bank of 15 years (First Direct) was when their 'computer says no' approach, Handlesbanken seem far more open minded and flexible so long as you can put forward a persuasive case.
What are they like on business overdrafts? This has been a constant frustration for me throughout our business development. At one stage we were turning over 1m a year and the bank wouldnt give us an O/D! With co op currently and at the time you had to be with them for 12 whole months with no O/D facility. We now have 10k we had to beg for but we could do with more to drive some further expansion through next year. I have heard Handelsbanken actually have bank managers that make oldschool decisions?
Edited by fridaypassion on Thursday 20th October 21:39
Good points and bad.
The best bit is the personal service. each manager only has around 50 clients, so they bend over backwards to help.
As each manager has lending authority they do get the rubber gloves on before they accept you as a client. regardless of whether you want to borrow. On the flip side, because they know so much about you, any future decisions are generally same day.
I don't have an over draft with them so cant comment, as I use them for personal banking, and property, not the insurance brokers.
The online banking is good.
FP - I can introduce you to Castleford or Wakefield if you like? ping me an email
The best bit is the personal service. each manager only has around 50 clients, so they bend over backwards to help.
As each manager has lending authority they do get the rubber gloves on before they accept you as a client. regardless of whether you want to borrow. On the flip side, because they know so much about you, any future decisions are generally same day.
I don't have an over draft with them so cant comment, as I use them for personal banking, and property, not the insurance brokers.
The online banking is good.
FP - I can introduce you to Castleford or Wakefield if you like? ping me an email
trowelhead said:
Super, thanks for that! I do some property development on the side so this is interesting to me.
When you say cabins, are those like holiday lets?
Not that I'm aware of. Have built 5 cabins at a popular ski resort here in Norway, sold 4 and kept one. Not sure what the margins are but all have been sold for around the £850k mark. When you say cabins, are those like holiday lets?
RammyMP said:
Where are you based? Mate of mine works in the Oldham branch, but their offices are territorial, he'll only cover from the M60 to the east, not Manchester.
Cheers, south Manchester, Wilmslow is the closest to me - i don't suppose anyone has contacts there?Had an email back from someone, looking for some more info with a view to setting up a meeting. So far so good!
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