Bank recommendation

peterc2609

Hi All,

I've had problems with Abbey since day 1 and have decided to move banks.

I will be moving my personal current & savings accounts, and also my business current and savings accounts.

Decision is... who to?

Any personal recommendations?

McKneff

Hello there, Im a Halifax customer, never had a problem in all the years I have been with them and they give me a reward of £5. amonth when £1k is paid in each month.

Im sure other people will be along soon. There are account that give incentives for new customers.

Note - Dont touch Santander with a barge pole, i was with them for 1 year and i have never seen such a level of incompetency in all my years

Sorry, just realised that Abbey is indeed Santander.

peterc2609

Same here...

I've been with them for 2 years and hated it.

Are there any banks left with UK only call centres?

adamc260

peterc2609 wrote: »

Same here...

I've been with them for 2 years and hated it.

Are there any banks left with UK only call centres?

Co-Op is uk only call centres i believe

Bloomberg

peterc2609 wrote: »

Hi All,

I've had problems with Abbey since day 1 and have decided to move banks.

I will be moving my personal current & savings accounts, and also my business current and savings accounts.

Decision is... who to?

Any personal recommendations?

I am not surprised that the dreaded Santander have let you down, I believe that they are the worst bank in the UK by a country mile. Personally I would recommend that you go from the world's local circus to the world's local bank. HSBC have been excellent in my experience. Another thing to bear in mind is that in these troubled times their global diversity means that your money is that much safer. Many people believe that HSBC is the safest place to put your money after government bonds.

adamc260

I'm with HSBC and although some of their rates aint fab, their internet banking is great and they also have an 8% regular saver which is pretty good!

telecomengineer

I was with Santander for 2 years had nothing but hassle...joined HSBC last month and what a difference...HSBC gets my vote

Bloomberg

It looks like a clear winner is emerging here.

adamc260

Whenever I call HSBC (Tele banking) I get someone in Malta usually and to be fair they're SO friendly!!! Speak really clear english (not like indian call centres) and cant do enough to help you but not in like a creepy kind of way where everything sounds fake!

Lokolo

adamc260 wrote: »

Whenever I call HSBC (Tele banking) I get someone in Malta usually and to be fair they're SO friendly!!! Speak really clear english (not like indian call centres) and cant do enough to help you but not in like a creepy kind of way where everything sounds fake!

It will depend what time you call.

I have a few indian's before but I also have had a very nice sounding American female *drool*

peterc2609

OK, a few wants/needs.

Personal
GOOD Internet banking
Decent interest rates, but also low overdraft rates (as self employed so sometimes invoices don't get paid on time)
Fast transfer times, between my business account and also other banks
Ideally UK call center
Good Customer Service
Low fraud occurrence

Business
Ideally FREE
GOOD Internet Banking
Instant access to money
Again, fast transfer times
Be able to use my visa card and access all of my money (I remember some banks give you a visa credit for business accounts and you can only spend so much)

Branch contact isn't vital, as I mainly use online banking, but a decent call centre service is a must.

Santander have annoyed me for all sorts of reasons, mainly awful customer service. I have had my account fraudulently accessed twice in 18 months, and have an idea that staff in branches have been involved. But thats not the reason - the main reason is as I said, the shocking CS afterwards.