Bank branch closures
Discussion
I'm a bit old fashioned and have banked at that Branch ( formerly Williams & Glynn) for over 35 years. I pay cash and cheques in, and can do this at the local Post Office. What I can't do is pay my monthly credit card bill , which I do in the Branch - sometimes by cash and cheque. I can also get a mini-statement or readout from the last 'x' number of days ( where x can be anything up to 90 days or so). This can't be done at another Bank or PO.
I accept I'm going to have to change bank accounts, but was interested in what others have done.
I accept I'm going to have to change bank accounts, but was interested in what others have done.
Greshamst said:
I know it's up to you, but it seems more that you're making your own life harder for yourself.
If you use online banking elsewhere, then you're capable enough to use it in general. Going into branch to pay off your credit card when you use online banking elsewhere is a bit like only using the local library computer to check the weather when you have and use the internet at home.
You can still have paper statements sent to you each month, or alternatively you can login to see your transactions for many many months...
The 2 online bank accounts I have talk to each other , and they're really savings accounts that swop the minimum monthly amount required between themselves via standing order. I keep a note of the interest paid in case it needs to be declared ( it doesn't). One is the TSB, which we all know has had IT problems recently. I did log in to check that everything was working OK during it's problems, everything was fine. Otherwise I need only to log in once a year to satisfy the conditions of the Bank - which I would do to find the interest paid for the year till April 5. If you use online banking elsewhere, then you're capable enough to use it in general. Going into branch to pay off your credit card when you use online banking elsewhere is a bit like only using the local library computer to check the weather when you have and use the internet at home.
You can still have paper statements sent to you each month, or alternatively you can login to see your transactions for many many months...
I'm well aware I could use another online bank account, but I want to use a high street branch for my main current account.
My original post did ask what others do when their local branch has shut - some might have posted that they went online and happy to do so, some might have said they now bank at the PO, less likely someone would have said they stuff their money in the mattress. It was
me wondering what others do, and perhaps there was another solution that I hadn't thought of.
ChrisNic said:
Is there a Natwest branch nearby? They should be able to handle the majority of your transactions.
There is a Nat West fairly close by - but I've been told it will do similar as the village PO - accept money and cheques but not give itemised statements or be able to pay bills.A lot of the new accounts want a minimum amount per month paid in, which is more difficult when you're self-employed and don't have a regular salary going in each month. I'm well aware that you can set up a standing order from another bank account to pay the minimum amount in and then reverse the transaction a few days later. It would be a lot easier if you didn't have to mess about with doing that in the first place.
Mezger said:
condor said:
When a bank decides to close the local branch you bank at and use regularly - what do you do?
I ask as I bank at RBS and they're shutting 162 branches across England and Wales. My branch doesn't close till November so have plenty of time to consider alternative Banks .
Join the 21st Century and use Internet Banking and the mobile app.I ask as I bank at RBS and they're shutting 162 branches across England and Wales. My branch doesn't close till November so have plenty of time to consider alternative Banks .
Only kidding. well, sort of. ;-)
A lot of TSB customers have had money removed from their account by fraudsters taking advantage of their IT problems. This is after they've not had access to their accounts for a couple of weeks. It's not that uncommon that an IT failure stops debit/credit card transactions from going through.
I would think it sensible to have a non on-line banking presence to ensure you have access to money at all times.
Just under 2 months since I started this thread and was in my local branch the other day. I wanted to cancel a 'contactless' debit card I'd just received and to get a replacement card that needed a pin number. It was some palaver and was told there wasn't an option for a non-contactless card, however, the staff member did their best and said I would receive a replacement card shortly in the post.
I also said I was prepared to go online as I'd read they used card readers for authorisation - which I do think is a secure way of online banking. However, I wanted nothing to do with mobile apps or mobile banking. The person that dealt with on-line banking was at lunch so I'd have to come another day as she needed to show me how to use it.
On a convenience level - with the bank closing in November, my account number and sort code stay the same. Also since I opened the account over 30 years ago I don't need to have a specific sum paid in each month. I've found it difficult to find a local current bank account that doesn't insist on a minimum monthly payment.
I also said I was prepared to go online as I'd read they used card readers for authorisation - which I do think is a secure way of online banking. However, I wanted nothing to do with mobile apps or mobile banking. The person that dealt with on-line banking was at lunch so I'd have to come another day as she needed to show me how to use it.
On a convenience level - with the bank closing in November, my account number and sort code stay the same. Also since I opened the account over 30 years ago I don't need to have a specific sum paid in each month. I've found it difficult to find a local current bank account that doesn't insist on a minimum monthly payment.
Further to my original post, my local RBS branch has been shut 2 months. I have been able to use my local post office for nearly all my banking needs. My main Credit card payment, that I was concerned about, has been put on an 'online authorisation' which I've used and is more convenient than going into town.
However, today I needed to get some advice about how I was to pay my tax bill as you can't pay it at the post office anymore. I also had a cheque to pay in, but wasn't sure if the RBS paying in slip still worked as there isn't a branch now. So, I drive into town and visit the Nat West branch...as RBS owns them, supposedly I can do anything in a Nat West branch that I could do in my old RBS branch. There are no traditional cashier tills there, a row of 6 computerised terminals, 2 of which you take money out - the other 4 you can pay money in. There was a single Nat West guide that showed you how to use the paying in ATM, there was a queue 6 deep for her 'help'. I needed my RBS debit card otherwise I would be charged £10 to pay my tax bill!
It wasn't a pleasant experience, and with the queue behind me building up, the guide rushed through the help by pressing all the buttons for me.
However, today I needed to get some advice about how I was to pay my tax bill as you can't pay it at the post office anymore. I also had a cheque to pay in, but wasn't sure if the RBS paying in slip still worked as there isn't a branch now. So, I drive into town and visit the Nat West branch...as RBS owns them, supposedly I can do anything in a Nat West branch that I could do in my old RBS branch. There are no traditional cashier tills there, a row of 6 computerised terminals, 2 of which you take money out - the other 4 you can pay money in. There was a single Nat West guide that showed you how to use the paying in ATM, there was a queue 6 deep for her 'help'. I needed my RBS debit card otherwise I would be charged £10 to pay my tax bill!
It wasn't a pleasant experience, and with the queue behind me building up, the guide rushed through the help by pressing all the buttons for me.
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