Bank/Building society recommendations.

[Super Sonic]

Anybody got any recommendations for the above? Not necessarily looking for maximum interest rates, but good customer service, convenience, access to cash. Pref not online or phone banks, but local offices w helpful staff
Thanks everyone :-)

[Harpoon]

If you want a local branch, then recommendations are probably pointless as all the recent branch closures may mean you have very little choice. Or no choice now some towns have no banks left.

It's also possible what is a local branch now here 3 closed in the future, so you might as well go for somebody with a good phone service like First Direct.

[vulture1]

In Scotland on bank of Scotland have branched in almost every town.

their counter point is halifax are there many of them in England?

[Simpo Two]

Super Sonic said:

local offices w helpful staff

That, and a bank, may be mutally exclusive...!

[Rob_125]

Paying in cash, just something to consider. As I found out last week, you cannot pay cash in at a post office to a building society. Wasn't a massive issue as I'm with nationwide and santander, but if you only have one account. It is a consideration.

[I 8 a 4RE]

As you’re looking for local, a building society is probably your best bet for friendly and branches … however … only Nationwide (which isn’t exactly your local BS) and Cumberland do Current Accounts.

So for savings and mortgage go to your local Building Society and Current Account; give Chase by JPMorgan a whirl, their US based accounts are brilliant and are investing top dollar to replicate in U.K.

[Carbon Sasquatch]

If you want a local branch with friendly staff, there's no point asking on here - you need to go to your local branches, walk in & see what reception you get.

[Rob_125]

Carbon Sasquatch said:

If you want a local branch with friendly staff, there's no point asking on here - you need to go to your local branches, walk in & see what reception you get.

That is if the branch hasn't already closed/is about to close and you can get there between 10am and 2pm on a neap tide.

[pb8g09]

My missus banks with Halifax and it meant that we were able to get out mortgage offer within a week with them.

Might be worth considering this as a factor if you're looking to re-mortgage/buy in the near future.

[Rob_125]

pb8g09 said:

My missus banks with Halifax and it meant that we were able to get out mortgage offer within a week with them.

Might be worth considering this as a factor if you're looking to re-mortgage/buy in the near future.

As a heads up, we weren't with Halifax. Recently placed offer on a house on the Friday evening, managed to secure an online mortgage meeting on the Saturday, valuation was conducted on the Monday, completed 4.5 weeks later. I just think Halifax can process mortgages super quick regardless if you are a current customer or not!

[mickymellon1]

hands down First Direct,

you can do any traditional banking at HSBC branches and their customer service are all based in the UK and very helpful vs the likes of Santander where the majority of their staff don't understand money, geography or have a bank account themselves (only a rigid script)

[edthedead]

Metro Bank seem to be the only one investing in high Street branches

[Super Sonic]

vulture1 said:

In Scotland on bank of Scotland have branched in almost every town.

their counter point is halifax are there many of them in England?

One in my local town centre (south coast)

[Super Sonic]

edthedead said:

Metro Bank seem to be the only one investing in high Street branches

That could be a winner thanks :-)

[Super Sonic]

Thanks everyone for replying.