Fed up with Lloyds current account..

[Turn7]

...Fancy switching to First Direct.

Based on 'net reviews they seem to be easy to get hold of and offer good service.

Any reason not to ?

[KTF]

What are you fed up with and what are you looking for in a current account?

[Turn7]

Ease of communication , good general service, understanding customers requirements and a good web experience .

[KTF]

Turn7 said:

Ease of communication , good general service, understanding customers requirements and a good web experience .

I have current accounts with most of the banks all of them tick those boxes for me (granted I dont go overdrawn, etc so cant comment on that aspect).

I would look for one that has offers - FD for the golden handshake, Santander for the 123, Lloyds or TSB for high interest, Nationwide for the free euro travel insurance or £10 bundled account, etc.

Have a look at the list here then pick the one you want. There is nothing that says you have to have one current account so try a few and pick the one that suits you:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/compare-b...

[jet_noise]

Dear T7,

I've been with 1stDirect twice, probably 20 years in all including at present. Santander in between (dire, although office opinion is that they're better now). Service is top notch, interest rates less so,

regards,
Jet

[tescorank]

got accounts with both, FD win hands down 24hrs a day

[tescorank]

got accounts with both, FD win hands down 24hrs a day

[Revisitph]

FD for me, but you need to be able to remember the answer to a couple of security questions (see best online banking thread!).

Note that like most banks, they're bringing in either a smartphone app security system or a keypad for all users soon.

[Simpo Two]

Revisitph said:

FD for me, but you need to be able to remember the answer to a couple of security questions (see best online banking thread!).

Note that like most banks, they're bringing in either a smartphone app security system or a keypad for all users soon.

But are there any banks where there isn't a security stage? I can't think so.

'Good morning this is Unsecure Bank, Kayleigh speaking, how may I help you?'
'Hi, I'd like to take some money out please'
'That's fine sir, may I take your name please?'
'Err, Mr Smith'
'Are you sure?'
'Err yep, quite sure'
'Thank you Mr Smith, how much money would you like?'

[Mobile Chicane]

First Direct offshore their 'Fraud Prevention' call centre.

The first you'll know of any potentially dodgy credit card transaction is when a heavily Indian/Indonesian accented 'Mike' or 'Steve' phones and asks if "He can take you through Security."

"Errr, yeah, right."

A ruse, I'm sure, for ensuring that you waste your money calling FD back rather than FD waste its money calling you.

Apart from this, FD service has been top notch. I've been a customer since the start.

[Revisitph]

S 2 - indeed, we were in agreement on that point in the online banking thread.

Fraud prevention for 1stD VISA do call from India or nearby - and, as mentioned above, I always pay a little bit to ring back rather than give security details, though the two times it has happened they were who they said they were, once a false alarm, second time someone had pinched my card number and 3 digit back-of-card number from somewhere.

[Simpo Two]

It's funny, I can ring landlines 'for free' but get caned for mobiles; you can presumably ring mobiles 'for free' but get caned for landlines. I guess each of us has our ways of picking through the tech maze that rules all our lives now, and preoccupies so many of our waking hours.

[dandam]

Tried Santander both as an Abbey customer, then transfered to Alliance & Leicester before they took over, got so fed up with terrible customer service, both online and in branch that I went to First Direct, absolutely superb though as said the interest rates aren't the best.

If I moved it would be for Nationwide only.

[0a]

I switched to co-op recently, I really like them. Mainly for the simple reason that they have not messed anything up unlike Natwest who were truly woeful in that regard. I remember trying to get a new bank card - their systems were a complete joke, the staff couldn't believe how hopeless they were either...

[Adam B]

Turn7 said:

Ease of communication , good general service, understanding customers requirements and a good web experience .

then FD it is, been with them for 20 years

[Turn7]

Adam B said:

Turn7 said:

Ease of communication , good general service, understanding customers requirements and a good web experience .

then FD it is, been with them for 20 years

I think its indian call centres that piss me off the most.

Its not the fact that I dont want to discuss my finances with somebody who has english as a fourth language, its more the contempt that I feel the bank has for me by offshoring MY care to the cheapest possible source.

[gjf764]

Simpo Two said:

But are there any banks where there isn't a security stage? I can't think so.

'Good morning this is Unsecure Bank, Kayleigh speaking, how may I help you?'
'Hi, I'd like to take some money out please'
'That's fine sir, may I take your name please?'
'Err, Mr Smith'
'Are you sure?'
'Err yep, quite sure'
'Thank you Mr Smith, how much money would you like?'

Handelsbanken, they'll know you personally

[Adam B]

Turn7 said:

I think its indian call centres that piss me off the most.

Its not the fact that I dont want to discuss my finances with somebody who has english as a fourth language, its more the contempt that I feel the bank has for me by offshoring MY care to the cheapest possible source.

weird - I always get northerners/Scottish - never spoken to an Indian in 20 years!!

I pay for First Directory - not sure if FD recognise my phone number and point me north?

[Anonamoose]

Adam B said:

Turn7 said:

I think its indian call centres that piss me off the most.

Its not the fact that I dont want to discuss my finances with somebody who has english as a fourth language, its more the contempt that I feel the bank has for me by offshoring MY care to the cheapest possible source.

weird - I always get northerners/Scottish - never spoken to an Indian in 20 years!!

I pay for First Directory - not sure if FD recognise my phone number and point me north?

I've been with FD for 7 years and never spoken to anyone other than someone with a proper English/Scottish accent.

FD are brilliant, I recently had an issue with a credit check company taking money from my account despite numerous calls to them to cancel. Called FD, they refunded me the money and stopped all further attempts. Didn't need to speak to any other departments to get this sorted. They definitely have the customer service sorted.