So if Santander are no good, who should I go with?

dan77_2

It seems that I have made a huge mistake switching to Santander, however I have noticed that with the exception of First Direct nobody on this forum has a good word to say about any bank.

I accept that in Santander's case people seem bang on, but can anyone suggest a good currect account and if so why it is good. I would like to hear some positive bank stories. I do have a Natwest account and they have always been fine, but others on here have said they are awful too....very confusing!

skint-student-nurse

I switched from lloyds to nationwide and never looked back. Great internet banking which is simple to use and find the staff in my local branch a lot happier and very friendly,too.

izools

If you're adverse to the idea of opening up a First Direct account, you may wish to go with HSBC instead.

They are a very good bank, and having been with pretty much every high street bank (no, wait, yup - all of them) over the years HSBC are my favourite by far.

southantrim3

Check out the Halifax, good customer service so far, and english call centres rather than indian ones, always a good thing. .

paulmcerlean

Lloyds offer great service and online banking.

Not sure what you have been reading by saying nobody as a good word to say about any other bank. Certainly not this site.

izools

One thing I have against Lloyds TSB and HBOS (Lloyds Banking Group) is a somewhat old fashioned approach to ATM disputes and Direct Debit Indemnity Claims.

If you ever find yourself in a position where a company has incorrectly taken a DD, or taken the wrong amount, or you are short changed by an ATM; the process is more convoluted that with some other banks. A lot of banks allow you to raise these disputes over the phone and some have a good process for dealing with them.

Lloyds Banking Group however require you to go in to branch and fill out paper forms - increasing processing time and adding inconvenience.

Something to think about

rb10

izools wrote: »

One thing I have against Lloyds TSB and HBOS (Lloyds Banking Group) is a somewhat old fashioned approach to ATM disputes and Direct Debit Indemnity Claims.

If you ever find yourself in a position where a company has incorrectly taken a DD, or taken the wrong amount, or you are short changed by an ATM; the process is more convoluted that with some other banks. A lot of banks allow you to raise these disputes over the phone and some have a good process for dealing with them.

Lloyds Banking Group however require you to go in to branch and fill out paper forms - increasing processing time and adding inconvenience.

Something to think about

If that is the greatest complaint that you have about them, then that indicates that they are doing pretty well.

It's not often that you have to do a DD/ATM claim.

DrSyn

1. Both "First Direct" & "Co-op Bank" regularly get 80% or over in customer satisfaction polls, for the simple reason they do lot correctly that their customers like. There can be no higher praise these days!

2. What about getting the CO-OP Banks "Standard Current Account". You can run it via , Post Office counters,Telephone,On Line.

3. "First Direct" 1st account.They give you money when you join. If you are not satisfied with them, they will give you money when you leave (never heard of anyone who has though). Which other bank is that confident of being the best!

Both banks have good and helpful staff. You will be happy with either I think!

jen245

I switched from Santandire to Natwest, with a Halifax reward account as a 2nd account, and haven't looked back. I've had accounts with Natwest for a few years and have never had any problems with them.

BreamoreBoy

DrSyn wrote: »

2. What about getting the CO-OP Banks "Standard Current Account". You can run it via , Post Office counters,Telephone,On Line.

I've been thinking about the Co-op, but their nearest branch is 18 miles away. If I've a problem to sort I prefer to have the whites of their eyes in my sights

[Deleted User]

lloyds tsb and co-op are excellent