Bank Vs Building Society Vs Internet Bank?

[Ali_Kat]

I have been advised to open a new basic bank account, one without an overdraft/visa attached to it, for my salary to be paid into from now on.

But not with HSBC, Halifax or NatWest.

I'm currently considering Barclays, Lloyds TSB, Nationwide or Smile.co.uk.

Smile.co.uk is winning in my head at the moment, but I'm a bit dubious about online banks.....

Does anyone here have any suggestions of which is the best to use, or good/bad experiences to influence my decision? - 'cause I'm all confused

Thanks

[jimothy]

Every one has a bad experience of one or more banks... I use lloyds just cos I can't be bothered to change, I've had bad experiences with most high street banks.

Though I hear First Direct gets less moaning than others. Never used them so can't really comment.

[T5-R]

I've used Cahoot as my main account for a few years now and I think they're class. Their rate of interest on current accounts is miles better than the High Street mob.

[Lurking Lawyer]

I agree entirely with T5-R - Cahoot is definitely worth a look.

[B17NNS]

Another vote for First Direct here.

[alfaman]

best High St. bank for customer satisfaction is HSBC (from industry-wide customer surveys ), First Direct is their e-banking business.

I bank with Abbey 'cos I can't be bothered to switch - service is pretty good .

IMHO internet banking is very convenient - just make sure whoever you bank with has good ATM (cash machine) coverage nationwide - you may be charged to use other banks' ATM's.

edit : I also use Cahoot - they are good too ( part of Abbey )

>> Edited by alfaman on Wednesday 21st December 13:18

[Ali_Kat]

Thanks for the advice!!

I can't use HSBC anymore, so that rules out First Direct as well, ditto NatWest and Halifax and their subsidiaries.

Cahoot are no good for me due to stuff in their small print......

[TheLemming]

Can I put in a vote for the Nationwide?

I've never had a problem with them, their internet banking is fine and available for all accounts (AFAIK) and they are generally fine, with a decent spread of branches etc.

Cant really fault them.

[gopher]

TheLemming said:

Can I put in a vote for the Nationwide? I've never had a problem with them, their internet banking is fine and available for all accounts (AFAIK) and they are generally fine, with a decent spread of branches etc. Cant really fault them.

seconded, never had any issues with them either, good service all round.

[pdV6]

Cahoot are great up until the point you need them to do something "physical", like send out a paper bank statement...

[bmwdrivernigel]

gopher said:

TheLemming said: Can I put in a vote for the Nationwide? I've never had a problem with them, their internet banking is fine and available for all accounts (AFAIK) and they are generally fine, with a decent spread of branches etc. Cant really fault them. seconded, never had any issues with them either, good service all round.

thirded (?)

[Ali_Kat]

TheLemming said:

Can I put in a vote for the Nationwide? Can't really fault them.

They have turned me down...........

So, it looks like it is between Smile.co.uk and Lloyds, both of whom I'm waiting to hear back from.

With Smile you get an automatic £500 overdraft, which I will need to negotiate with them to remove!!