Which bank to use?

[davek_964]

Currently with Natwest, and have been for years. However, considering moving for a couple of reasons:

- I'd like 2FA for online banking, and they don't offer it
- I've seen too many stories about them refusing refunds when scammed, when other banks did pay out - and they seem happy to let transactions through which other banks question or block
- A personal one this, but my g/f has one of their premium accounts which provides travel insurance etc. Getting run over by a car in Thailand, resulting in stitches in her face and a shattered ankle - which she is still visiting hospital for 3 months later and may still need an operation - was apparently not sufficient for the travel insurance to pay her Thailand hospital bill.

I only want a (few) basic accounts - not into paid accounts where I get benefits I don't want.

Current favourite is HSBC - my mate rates them - any reason to go somewhere else?

[Jimmy Recard]

Do you want one with a lot of branches or are you happy to try an online one?

Happy with having a savings and current account with different banks? I mainly use Marcus for savings and Starling for current account and they have both been great. I don’t know if any benefits suit you, it’s just an example of online-only banks working well

[davek_964]

I do most of my banking online, but think I still want one with branches.

Although I have <some> savings with the same bank, the bulk is elsewhere - so it's only really for current account type activities.

[Triple7]

My wife is with HSBC, awful outfit imho. First Direct on the other hand is 1st Class.

I’m with Lloyds & FD. I’ve been with Lloyds since 10, got to the point that a computer algorithm determins everything, prob the same with most retail banks. Metro gets good reviews, but are in trouble?

If you want old school, try Handlesbanken. Each branch is run independently, with all decisions made at branch level, by the branch manager.

[C0ffin D0dger]

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/compare-...

Invariably you can get a switching bonus of £100 or so as well. Forget High Street banks, disappearing at a rate of knots. Kept my Barclays account open as they had a branch local to work, that went down to being open 3 days a week and has now gone. At least I can pay in a cheque by taking a photo of it in their app which is something Santander who I use for my main current account doesn't let me do yet.

Of course this being Piston Heads you should be banking with Coutts or the likes

Edited by C0ffin D0dger on Wednesday 5th June 13:32

[worsy]

First Direct is the answer, part of HSBC so you can use the HSBC high street banks. The FD app uses fingerprint.