Which bank is best (question for a foreigner)
Which bank is best (question for a foreigner)
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Discussion

Mobsta

Original Poster:

5,614 posts

271 months

Friday 24th June 2011
quotequote all
Mate just moved to the UK, is living in London (and will be moving again in a few months, he doesnt know where in London) and wants to know which bank is best.

I honestly have no advice to give him, other than Natwest seem to have won a great many morgage type service awards, he wont be business banking and doesnt live in a town like me...

Is there a better bank these days, or are they all much of a muchness (which is my guess. Unless you have a local, and fit birds in it like my Lloyds branch does!).

Thoughts? Or should he just join whichever is closest to his current home?

Justayellowbadge

37,057 posts

258 months

Friday 24th June 2011
quotequote all
Coutts.

Use Psychology

11,327 posts

208 months

Friday 24th June 2011
quotequote all
i know a private bank but they are so secret i am not even allowed to write their name. you need to be 'introduced' sorry.

matc

4,730 posts

223 months

Friday 24th June 2011
quotequote all
In reality they are all much of a muchness, some have better online facilties than others, so may be worth taking that into consideration. First Direct seem to have a pretty good reputation amongst most on here.

soad

34,039 posts

192 months

Friday 24th June 2011
quotequote all
HSBC or NatWest should be sufficient

sinizter

3,348 posts

202 months

Friday 24th June 2011
quotequote all
soad said:
HSBC or NatWest should be sufficient
NatWest gets my vote.

IanA2

2,891 posts

178 months

Friday 24th June 2011
quotequote all
I flitted from bank to bank for twenty two years, they were all terrible. After twenty two years I found First Direct. That was twenty years ago. They really are very good.

Mobsta

Original Poster:

5,614 posts

271 months

Friday 24th June 2011
quotequote all
Justayellowbadge said:
Coutts.
hehe I'll put that at number 1 on the list then...

chrisxr2

1,127 posts

210 months

Friday 24th June 2011
quotequote all
None. Nationwide is the best bet. Building society so customers are what matters not shareholders.

mcflurry

9,179 posts

269 months

Friday 24th June 2011
quotequote all
chrisxr2 said:
None. Nationwide is the best bet. Building society so customers are what matters not shareholders.
How long does it take to apply cash onto your account?

mcflurry

9,179 posts

269 months

Friday 24th June 2011
quotequote all
I would go for the nearest to work / home. Any issues and it's easier to deal face to face.
Once you have built up a decent history then move to the bestest / cheapest / shiny-ist IMHO smile

zaphod42

55,497 posts

171 months

Saturday 25th June 2011
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I've found Natwest very good in recent years. Even better if you can get Private.

pokethepope

2,665 posts

204 months

Saturday 25th June 2011
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Natwest have been good for me, and the online banking is very good - I don't think I've been into a bank for a year. It also only needs a customer number and password to log in, my flatmates bank (i forget which) needs that little electronic card reader just to log in, so you can only do it at home with the reader and card handy.

Burrow01

1,950 posts

208 months

Saturday 25th June 2011
quotequote all
First Direct

p4cks

7,173 posts

215 months

Saturday 25th June 2011
quotequote all
Another thumbs up for First Direct.