Best bank for customer sevice?

gorgirl

I'm looking to switch my current account from Natwest to a bank with great customer service - does anyone have any suggestions?

I'm not particularly worried about the interest rate as it will be for a current account but I have had a number of bad experiences with Natwest and I think it's time for a change.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

garagemc

Halifax or LLoyds.

Remember banks do make mistakes.

Kilty_2

Nationwide.

I bank with HBOS, Lloyds TSB and Nationwide. Nationwide are the best by a country mile in my experience.

James21_2

garagemc wrote: »

Halifax or LLoyds.

Remember banks do make mistakes.

Halifax isnt a bank

Remember that when you say you have had bad experiences with Natwest, you wil find branches up and down the country vary drastically in customer service, in the greater manchester area(where i live) i know many natwests that are great when you walk in you are welcomed etc and others they just dont give a rats !!!!, you wil get that with any bank or building society i think it depends at the branch you regularly visit and the staff that work there.:cool:

Yorkshirechick

I would say First Direct they have got number 1 for Customer satisfaction loads of times. The only thing is that they don't have branches, you have to either go into the HSBC, or post a cheque to them.

CopperPlate_2

first direct every time. Would've said smile a year ago, but fd surpass even smile. You can pay cash or cheques by post or if you live in Scotland you can pay in via the Post Office or pay in through the machines in an HSBC branch if you have one nearby.

In the 6 months I've been with fd I've not once had a bad experience with them. Smooth transition to their current account, mortgage, etc . Okay the interest rates aren't the table-toppers that some of the others are - but at least I know that when I phone them there's someone at the other end of the line (rather than a press 1 machine) who can sort it out or call me back - and they DO call you back and apologise for having to do so. If only every other organisation was like that.

kenshaz

CopperPlate wrote: »

first direct every time. Would've said smile a year ago, but fd surpass even smile. You can pay cash or cheques by post or if you live in Scotland you can pay in via the Post Office or pay in through the machines in an HSBC branch if you have one nearby.

In the 6 months I've been with fd I've not once had a bad experience with them. Smooth transition to their current account, mortgage, etc . Okay the interest rates aren't the table-toppers that some of the others are - but at least I know that when I phone them there's someone at the other end of the line (rather than a press 1 machine) who can sort it out or call me back - and they DO call you back and apologise for having to do so. If only every other organisation was like that.

But they are not competitive,and that must be a consideration ,also I like to have a branch based account with internet options.

I feel that if you are not interested in competitive banking and want excellent service ,branch ,telephone and internet ,RBS are an excellent option.Direct access into the branch and you can speak to the manager on geographical phone numbers.

Mark7799

OP has said they are looking for service, not worried about interest rate.

Don't know if RBS would be of help to her since she wants to get away from NatWest

CopperPlate_2

RBS are good. Despite their size they do offer good customer service. That said I moved from them due to excessive queuing at the local branch. 8 teller positions available yet only 3 were staffed. The place was crawling with staff yet could they be bothered with something as irritating as a customer? Anyway, RBS is a good alternative.

fd is not as competitive as say, A&L with interest rates, but I'd gladly sacrifice the £20 quid or so a year in lost interest if it meant I didn't have to keep phoning back the bank to sort out the most minor of issues as I had to do with A&L - then just gave up!

CopperPlate_2

Yes, on re-visiting the OP, customer service is up there. Again, fd gets my vote. Not going to harp on about it - anyone would think I was getting commission...

Gordon_the_Moron

Just curious, what are your bad experiences with Natwest?