Which bank to change accounts to?

taliwillow

Hello,

I am looking into changing my bank from Halifax to either The Co-operative Bank, Lloyds TSB, Smile or Cahoot. The reason I am changing is that due to a back problem I can no longer get to the banks in town so want to use a bank that I can pay my cheques in at the post office (as I can drive there). I like the way Halifax online banking seems to be clear and easy to use and transfers are very quick. I recently opened an account with Barclays but I hate the faff of Pin Sentry so really don't want to go to any bank that has that kind of security. I want to be able to log into my bank account anywhere, even if I don't have my card with me.

Does anyone have any experiences of the banks I am considering, good or bad and could you advise on how easy it is to use their online banking? I have been with Halifax for as long as I can remember so it's a bit scary veturing elsewhere. I'd also like to have some childrens savings accounts that I can put money into and out of online (rather than have to go into the branch with the book like I do in Halifax) if such a thing exists.

Thanks

Taliwillow

okie363

im A BIG fan of llyods, they are very quick and efficient, cards arrive within a couple of days.
interest rates are very reasonable
if you do Accidently get over charged they also admit it and refund you perfectly within hours

the online experience is also very good and simple to use, just a password and a couple of letters from your memerable word.

Quiet_Life

I was with the Coop and then changed to Smile, just suited me better.

Smile does the fast transfers, next day payments. They issue you with a card reader which you have to use if you are transferring funds outside of Smile or Coop a/cs.


Don't know about the children's a/c, am interested if anyone knows about them

taliwillow

Thanks for your replies. I just called Halifax due to a problem with some money I put into my chilrens accounts yesterday (it's not showing that it's gone in on my online banking) and asked at the same time if I could pay in cash and cheques at the post office (the post office website had said only cash which is why I considered changing) and he said, funny you should say that because we had an e-mail about it this morning. He has given me a number to contact to set up the facility of banking in the post office but said he couldn't tell me any more as they don't really know much about it at the branch at the moment as it's all new to them.

moneypenny2k

I'd suggest first direct, I've been with them for over 16 yers and I find them faultless. You can bank over the phone or online.

Cheques can be posted in for credit or paid in at any hsbc. Plus you get £100 bonus when you sign up, providing you meet terms.

If you look on the referrers board you'll find plenty of people offering to refer you and give you £25 of their £50 referrers reward as well as you getting the £100.

All this and a bank that is consistently at the top of the satisfied customers league.

sheff-spud

Smile or the Co-op as they're the same bank. Only benefit of smile is online you can send secure messages to the bank to ask questions or ask for something to be done on your accounts. Of course you can call too, just sometimes a secure e-mail is more convenient I find. The secure message isn't available on co-op internet banking, just smile.

You can withdraw and pay-in cash and cheques over the Post Office counter - very convenient as well as using Co-op Bank counters.

To use smile or Co-op Bank online you just need your sort code and account number to log in. They do send you a card reader for making external transfers, setting up SO and bill payments etc but a recent change to the banks system now allows you to make transfers and amendments to accounts you've set up previously using the card reader and used before without the need to use the card reader every single time. This has made life a lot easier now, so you'll only really need the card reader if it's a brand new instruction.

Main thing about Smile and Co-op is the staff (I find) are always friendly and they're based in the UK (Manchester, Stockport, Skelmersdale and more recently now the group includes Britannia... Stoke on Trent).

As for Children's accounts. Funds transfers to Co-op kids accounts sent from Smile and Co-op are instant. Not sure how you'd withdraw funds online if it's not your account but I'm sure the lovely staff could explain.

sueeve

I've been wth lloydstsb for 24 years without a mistake or having to make a complaint, with a variety of accounts, classic + vantage, savings, Isa, and I often pay in cheques at the post office. You phone for a supply of envelopes with which to pay in and that's it. The online banking is easy, and when i have had a query eg iSA rates, have never had to waith long on the phone, whatever 'Which' might be saying at the moment.

southantrim3

I'd stick with the Halifax to be honest. I've been with them for 6yrs and haven't experienced any difficulties, and from threads in here with regards to other banks I'm gonna stay with them.

You should try and investigate more the stronger links they are putting in place with the post office and see if you can get that set up. Hope you get things sorted out.

DrSyn

The Co-op Bank normally has over 80% customer satisfaction in all polls I have seen. Smile is its online brand and also their personal customers seem happy with it.

Cahoot is connected to Santander Bank. So it may have similar problems to Santander (well listed on this forum site).

Try running a here and on google with " Problems with _____ bank"
and see what turns up.

Have a look at the "Which.co.uk" for unbiased advise.

premierfella

sheff-spud wrote: »

As for Children's accounts. Funds transfers to Co-op kids accounts sent from Smile and Co-op are instant. Not sure how you'd withdraw funds online if it's not your account but I'm sure the lovely staff could explain.

I have used the Co-op with adult and designated children's accounts (i.e. where the accounts are held in the adult's name re: the child - in my case nieces). These are included in the adult's account list on internet banking and transfers made between the "child" account and adult account.

Where the account is in the child's sole name I assume it would not show up on the adult's internet banking (but then that would be common for all banks)!

paulmcerlean

Lloyds. Great bank.