Best bank for customer sevice?

CopperPlate_2

gorgirl wrote: »

I think I might have a look at first direct though it does worry me not being able to go into a branch.

I made the break from Royal Bank of Scotland (can't stand how they like to call themselves 'RBS' nowadays!) about 4 years ago to smile. fd was the next step and I've never looked back. Not having a branch hasn't made one bit of a difference to the way I bank. If I need to pay in a cheque, I use a cheque envelope and pay it in at the Post Office (Scotland only I think) or post it. I'm never that desperate for it to clear so it takes the usual 5 or 6 days in total from posting to being available or so. I phone them and the call is answered within about 2 rings by a person who only asks me a few security questions and ALWAYS pronounces my name correctly EVERY time. They are polite, friendly and above all when you ask for something it gets done without question. No chasing them up, no worries that they've forgotten about what you've asked them, no worries that you're just another interruption to their day. It is amazing that an organisation provides this level of 'customer service' when the vast majority of others treat you with contempt and above all take you for granted. Big mistake.

If you move to fd they'll give you £100 to transfer your banking to them. Internet banking facility is good - does everything I might need it to do, and their messaging service is answered promptly and efficiently. No need to ask another question because they've replied to you with another question and not an answer as some other banks do!

chica_fi

My customers are always happy with me!!! But I work in a funny scottish bank and it's probably not very handy for you... :rotfl:

tripled

Can't you pay into first direct accounts at HSBC branches? When I used to bank with HSBC (many years ago), they used to have both brands on the payslip.

bajamster

Halifax high interest and really friendly staff

regularsaver1

CopperPlate wrote: »

1997 from memory. Didn't get a windfall either as my balance dipped under the £100 for about a day!!!!! despite being a 'member' for about 5 years before that. Poor student days you see... Anyway, I digress - not that I'm bitter or anything...ten years on

yep and merge between Halifax and Bank of Scotland was September 2001

japitts

At the risk of doing an AOL, another vote for First Direct. Yes, their rates can be beaten - but their service cannot. Totally top drawer in every respect.

James21_2

Mark7799 wrote: »

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

RBS are better staffed than Natwest, however branches can vary dramatically up n down the country in the way they treat their customers

James21_2

regularsaver1 wrote: »

Halifax are a bank. they may not be a clearing bank, but they are a bank.

they have not been a building socierty for years. they are a plc. They are Halifax plc, within HBOS plc

yes they dont have a clearing centre so they arent a 'proper' bank like barcleys, hsbc, rbs and Natwest.

Thats why a building society is what it is, because they have no clearing centre whereas a bank does...imo halifax is not a proper bank...

Abbey trying to become a 'proper' bank as they use rbs clearing centres

regularsaver1

I was informed that Halifax applied but it was rejected by other banks??

Bank of Scotland are clearing bank thorugh - within the same group

chairman_miaow

japitts wrote: »

At the risk of doing an AOL, another vote for First Direct. Yes, their rates can be beaten - but their service cannot. Totally top drawer in every respect.

100% agree....I moved from first direct to A&L and how I miss fd's customer service (not to mention their internet banking)