Halifax as a bank?

[docevi1]

Any good?

I'm with Barclays at the moment and have no problem with them as a bank, but their opening hours are less than my working hours - Halifax open on a Saturday and are much easier to get to...

[tvrbob]

Only an opinion but I don't rate Halifax very highly. I have had problems working with them and contacting them on the phone. They do not permit calls to the branch and if you don't have your account details the call centre will not accept your call.

If it's a building society bank you're looking for the Nationwide has a friendly customer approach and does not use call centres.

[grahamw48]

I'm with both, but only do internet banking.(Why don't you do that ?)

I'm sure they'll be as good as each other at encouraging you to get into debt.

Take it steady if it's your first job. Those banks aim to suck you dry.

[docevi1]

I do Internet banking all the time and rarely have a need to visit a branch in truth.

My problem is I'm sitting with a Student Account and can't change it and can't discuss my options with anyone - Barclays only allow that discussion with your account manager face-to-face and they aren't open when I'm not at work... Similiarly when I called to arrange a meeting, I was told they'd call back. That was 3weeks ago now and I'm yet to hear anything. At this stage (nothing on my account bar wage), it's very easy to move

I'm starting to make more money than I ever have so want to start some savings for house / nicer car etc but can't get any advice from my current bank you see. The Halifax is open Saturdays in the MetroCentre (free parking about 2mins from where I work).

[alfaman]

I bank with Abbey and am satisfied - good internet and phone banking service - they are now closing their Indian call centre ops - so will all be based in the UK.

[fido]

i'm mostly happy with Natwest, though i know alot of people that aren't. you certainly get treated 10x better if you are a Premier customer, though even as a student i had no problems with them (that was some time ago i'd admit...)

[selwonk]

I banked with the Halifax since being about 10 (I'm 33 now) and binned them last year for current accounts, mortgages and credit cards. Absolutely hopeless customer service. I now have an Alliance & Leicester Premier account and I'm very pleased with their service...

[tvrbob]

Stefan, if you're looking for a BS/bank to advise and guide you then the Halifax is honestly one of the worst. They really don't treat customers well when compared with their competitors. I banked with them several years ago and had to deal with them again when managing someone’s estate. It was never an enjoyable relationship.

There must be other Saturday trading banks and building societies in the Metro Centre.

[kgb1]

If you travel overseas frequently then Nationwide are worth considering, there are no charges for any overseas transactions. I was being charged 2 pound for every cash withdrawal and 1 pound for every credit card transaction with TSB (not a lot but soon adds up). Nationwide were very good with the appointment and opening of the account and as I know are the only one not charging for overseas spending.

[staceyb]

The Barclays Bank on Grainger St is open on Saturdays and I'm pretty sure the on Northumberland St is open too.

[andy_b]

I tend to believe its very much to do with where you live. I've been with Halifax for years now and also have my mortgage in the UK with them. They gave us a normal mortage rather than a (more expensive) buy to rent one. I've never had a problem in 10 years with my bank accounts and been in three areas (Bristol, Farnborough, Andover).

Contrast that with my brother in law, who have had problems after problems since he moved from Farnborough to Glos)with loosing deposits, continueing direct debits ec, over charging etc.

[Docevi1]

staceyb said:

The Barclays Bank on Grainger St is open on Saturdays and I'm pretty sure the on Northumberland St is open too.

The manager / some staff members in Northumberland Branch annoyed me more than you can possibly imagine and as such I boycott the place.

I've an appointment with the Grainger street branch (which I had forgotten existed). Shall give Halifax a miss

[KB_S1]

Bank of Scotland used to be great until it merged with Halifecks.
Gone rapidly downhill since.

[simpo two]

docevi1 said:

My problem is I'm sitting with a Student Account and can't change it and can't discuss my options with anyone - Barclays only allow that discussion with your account manager face-to-face and they aren't open when I'm not at work...

If you can't change your student account, why not open a new account somewhere else? I use First Direct (HSBC) - no problems at all. I've never known a bank to refuse money, so if you turn up with £100...