recommend me a bank?

[grand cherokee]

seems a simple question but experience shows its a minefield

currently bank with Nat West -what a load of idiots

six weeks to get a meeting with my 'private banker' - wtf

if you watched the BBC - Banks - a matter of life and debt with Nat West you would see my point

filmed in Nat West, Huddersfield - what a total joke

a manager of thirty people getting just over £20K - peanuts and monkeys spring to mind

so, who can recommend a good bank?

I could get a Coutts account as my friend is a manager in London

Edited by grand cherokee on Saturday 27th June 14:29

Edited by grand cherokee on Saturday 27th June 14:35

[scottri]

First Direct. Brilliant service from people in the UK and who don't just read from scripts. Maybe not the best rates of interest etc but more than happy to give that up in favour of good service.

[grand cherokee]

thank you

[Sharted]

Curious to know why you would want to meet a private banker?

I would go for a simple online account and avoid meeting anyone unless you absolutely have to.

[carreauchompeur]

Sharted said:

Curious to know why you would want to meet a private banker?

I would go for a simple online account and avoid meeting anyone unless you absolutely have to.

When you're a director, you need SERVICE.

[NordicCrankShaft]

MetroBank, I only usEd them for 12 months just before leaving the UK and I thought they were fantastic. Great customer service where you can actually talk to someone about your money.

[MauiJim]

I bank with First Direct for my everyday banking, Coventry Building Society for less day-to-day things (although I do have a current account with them) and American Express for my credit card service.

All the above were chosen based on their customer service performance. The vast majority of the time everything is seamless and I do not need to contact them, however, on the very rare occasions I have had to they have all been brilliant and surpassed my somewhat high expectations.

[limpsfield]

grand cherokee said:

I could get a Coutts account as my friend is a manager in London

I love this bit but I am not sure why.

It's almost anti PH. I can't get a coutts account because I am too much of a pov, but my mate will sort me out.

Another vote for first direct here , although I had to apply in the usual way as was sadly bereft of banking acuaintances.

[simonrockman]

I cycled up to Coutts in the Strand and was just locking my bike to the flagpole outside when a flunkie came out to tell me that it wasn't allowed. When I said I was there to pay in a cheque he told me to bring the bike inside and he'd look after it.

Coutts are good but I plan to also open a Metro account.


Simon

[ikarl]

Surely it depends what you'll be using the account for, or what your primary concerns are. If you want to see a manager within 24hoyrs of asking/ or a high interest account etc... Different banks do different things better

[ecs]

I was with First Direct - they're fine if you only like doing stuff over the phone. Their online banking is terrible, it looks like something from the 90's and the mobile banking app is featureless.

I've got a Club Lloyds account now which gives you phone insurance, AA membership and some other crap. It costs as much as the AA membership alone a month so was worthwhile for me as it was something I was already paying for. Their online banking is great, as is their mobile app so it's one I'd recommend.

[IanA2]

scottri said:

First Direct. Brilliant service from people in the UK and who don't just read from scripts. Maybe not the best rates of interest etc but more than happy to give that up in favour of good service.

Agreed.

[ChrisNic]

grand cherokee said:

if you watched the BBC - Banks - a matter of life and debt with Nat West you would see my point

filmed in Nat West, Huddersfield - what a total joke

a manager of thirty people getting just over £20K - peanuts and monkeys spring to mind

Edited by grand cherokee on Saturday 27th June 14:29

Edited by grand cherokee on Saturday 27th June 14:35

I had to laugh at the conversation, the member of staff wasn't being entirely honest about her pay, an appointed manager of that branch is on substantially more than 20k.

[northandy]

ecs said:

I was with First Direct - they're fine if you only like doing stuff over the phone. Their online banking is terrible, it looks like something from the 90's and the mobile banking app is featureless.

I've got a Club Lloyds account now which gives you phone insurance, AA membership and some other crap. It costs as much as the AA membership alone a month so was worthwhile for me as it was something I was already paying for. Their online banking is great, as is their mobile app so it's one I'd recommend.

I have banked with fd for 15 years, I very rarely call them (when I do it always gets resolved straight away) I use the web banking and find it spot on, does everything I expect it to.

I would heartily recommend them.

[Cliftonite]

Another vote for First Direct. Been with them 20 years, using internet banking and telephone service.

Faultless.

[IanA2]

Cliftonite said:

Another vote for First Direct. Been with them 20 years, using internet banking and telephone service.

Faultless.

Yup, twenty plus years here too. Hardly use the phone banking any more as the online facility is excellent.

[Simpo Two]

If you just want an ordinary current account, First Direct. It just works (and I find the online service fine too).

If you want to meet someone called Gervaise and get a free cup of coffee, no idea. But they will probably charge you handsomely.

[spud989]

Regular town-size HSBC branch managers were on 30-35k basic + bonuses 10 years ago, if my memory serves me right.

[grand cherokee]

limpsfield said:

I love this bit but I am not sure why.

It's almost anti PH. I can't get a coutts account because I am too much of a pov, but my mate will sort me out.

Another vote for first direct here , although I had to apply in the usual way as was sadly bereft of banking acuaintances.

the only point about my friend at Coutts was that he could set it all up for me - he certainly cannot make exceptions as to who may/may not have an account (except staff)

[grand cherokee]

many thanks for all your advice - will speak to First Direct

was also told Nationwide are good?