How friendly are banks?

Mirey

I'm currently with HSBC. I've had nothing but amazing customer service with them over the years, from them removing late fees (I thought I had a DD set up but didn't) to just being really friendly on the phone and in the branch. There literally never been a time I've been upset with them

Are all banks as friendly? I only ask as I'm about to graduate and I'm lucky enough to have a decent graduate job lined up, so it makes sense financially to switch to a better account. But For the sake of a few tens of pounds a year, I wonder if it's worth the hassle, if it means a downgrade in customer service.

I'm likely to move to Santander. Does anyone have any experience with them?

Lokolo

Give it a go and give us your feedback

In all seriousness, if you are happy with something, why change it? If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I am assuming you are looking at the 123 account as it gives interest? Well, there is a reason why Santander have to offer money to attract customers.

onzey

No problems with Santander so far as a recent 123 current account opener.

Perhaps open an account with Santander and keep HSBC too.

innovate

Go through the board and find people's feedback on the 123 account.

As onzey says, you don't have to close one account to open another.

Lagoon

I find Natwest to be brilliant, and had nothing but trouble with First Direct.

I moved from one to the other because the FD service was so terrible. I do think that good customer service and a sense of trust is far more important than a little extra money, and so I wouldn't move for a 'better account'.

Kayalana99

I absoulty love our Santander branch...I don't know how they recruit people but I'd love to know!!

Not sure if the whole of Santander is like this but we've only been in thier a handful of times and they know us by name..ask how were doing etc.

Lovely people all round, everyone of them seem to have that 'spark' about them.

alanq

I am surprised at the "friendly" criterion. "Efficient", "helpful", "polite" yes but I can do without friendliness. Try opening an account at Metro Bank and you can have a long friendly chat with a complete stranger. That is not something I need or desire from a bank.

Santander scores consistently low on customer satisfaction surveys so not a bank I would choose. That said I have had, admittedly not major, issues with financial services providers who score highly such as Co-op and Nationwide. First Direct (part of HSBC) has been trouble-free for me...so far.

ColdIron

I think banks are like any other company, if you are friendly and pleasant with them, they'll be the same back even if there is a problem that needs sorting out

The only exception I would make is Virgin Media who are a friendly as a cornered rat

Bloomberg

Mirey wrote: »

I'm currently with HSBC. I've had nothing but amazing customer service with them over the years, from them removing late fees (I thought I had a DD set up but didn't) to just being really friendly on the phone and in the branch. There literally never been a time I've been upset with them

Are all banks as friendly? I only ask as I'm about to graduate and I'm lucky enough to have a decent graduate job lined up, so it makes sense financially to switch to a better account. But For the sake of a few tens of pounds a year, I wonder if it's worth the hassle, if it means a downgrade in customer service.

I'm likely to move to Santander. Does anyone have any experience with them?

Good service is extremely important to me personally, I also look at things like the Internet banking and having a decent fully functioning app. I like HSBC but their failure to introduce a proper app unlike their rivals has made me jump ship to Barclays. Sometimes you cannot get everything you need from one bank, HSBC for example have a great cash ISA rate for balances over fifteen thousand pounds but as I said they fail miserably in the mobile banking stakes. If you plan to save regularly then the chances are that you may have to look outside the big four for your savings account. I use J P Morgan for my investments.




In answer to your question 'Are all banks friendly' the honest answer is that as long as you are in a good financial position then almost invariably the answer is yes. I dare say that if your situation was were to become less favourable you would undoubtedly see a different side to HSBC or any other bank for that matter. All the best.

SavingSassy

I can imagine you will receive such a varied answer to this. Seeing a post above - someone had terrible service with FD, I on the other hand have had fantastic service from them. I have unfortunately experienced Santander, I thought they were good, but if they make a mistake on your account, it can take years to sort out! I have a case with the F.O due to a santander mistake. If you go on the Financial Ombudsman website, it states how many complaints the F.O has had to deal with for each bank and how many times the bank or consumer won - didn't suprise me.

What I would say though, if you have a good relationship with your bank, although you may not make much money from them, it can pay off when applying for mortgages, etc which could help you in the long run.:D

innovate

SavingSassy wrote: »

What I would say though, if you have a good relationship with your bank, although you may not make much money from them, it can pay off when applying for mortgages, etc which could help you in the long run.:D

I beg to disagree. There is no such thing as a "relationship" in their programs which decide whether you get a mortgage or other credit or not. Also, particularly for a mortgage, you want to shop around for the best deal rather than take what your friendly bank might tell you to.