How friendly are banks?

innovate

JuicyJesus wrote: »

Administrative errors basically; Direct Debits bounced when funds available, DDs or SOs cancelled by mistake, other clerical errors that can be a pain in the a*se to rectify.

Hmh. I can't see how any of this would happen if you manage your account properly.

But what do I know, I have only had several current accounts (usually at least two alongside each other) for the last 40 years.

JuicyJesus

innovate wrote: »

Hmh. I can't see how any of this would happen if you manage your account properly.

But what do I know, I have only had several current accounts (usually at least two alongside each other) for the last 40 years.

It does happen. NatWest's administration failures, for instance, are legendary. Santander's !!!!-ups also are a running joke. And, to me, competence and customer service matters more than interest when it comes to my current account. To each, their own, etc.

ERICS_MUM

Lagoon wrote: »

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'.

Nat West for me too. Been with them since 1974 and had only one major issue in that time, which they sorted quickly. I find their on-line banking very good . They were also very kind with my Mum when my Dad died - even sent her a bouquet of flowers because they didn't take Dad's name off a statement.

I would never move for the sake of a few extra ££ - what price can you put on decent products and great customer service.

Linda xx

olly300

ERICS_MUM wrote: »

Nat West for me too. Been with them since 1974 and had only one major issue in that time, which they sorted quickly. I find their on-line banking very good . They were also very kind with my Mum when my Dad died - even sent her a bouquet of flowers because they didn't take Dad's name off a statement.

I would never move for the sake of a few extra ££ - what price can you put on decent products and great customer service.

Linda xx

NatWest had the rudest staff when I banked with them in the 4 different branches I used regularly. And I only used two to put money in.

They treated all their student customers like cr*p. It was so funny seeing one of the counter staff member's and branch manager's face when I closed my account. It's like they thought they could do what they like and you wouldn't change banks.

RBS had the nicest and most polite staff in the branches but their head office, even before they took over NatWest, tried to rip me off a few times. Oh and two of my nephews' said they had the nicest to play with when they were little.

The most competent but not necessarily the institution with the nicest staff for day -to-day banking for me has been Nationwide and they have still screwed up over the years. The difference between them and the other banks I've used is if there is a complaint they sort it out quickly and pleasantly.

cockmad

This has been an fascinating and excellent thread.

IMO, I couldn't give a flying fiddlers for any bank, financial institution or even supermarket for that matter. All they care about is making as much money as they can from their customers. Loyalty counts for nothing, you are just a number to them.

I like to play them at their own game. I will use them to suit my needs and take advantage of their products. I will switch whenever it is appropriate. I don't believe in being loyal. I don't wish to be offensive, but people who remain with just one bank are naïve, complacent or brain-dead.

MoneySaverLog

Friendly whilst you're a good customer and pay them their money back.

Unfriendly, and border on harassment, when there is a threat that you wont.

Simplez.

JuicyJesus

MoneySaverLog wrote: »

Friendly whilst you're a good customer and pay them their money back.

Unfriendly, and border on harassment, when there is a threat that you wont.

Simplez.

Most companies, and people actually, will act much the same if you don't repay money you borrow.

JuicyJesus

cockmad wrote: »

I like to play them at their own game. I will use them to suit my needs and take advantage of their products. I will switch whenever it is appropriate. I don't believe in being loyal. I don't wish to be offensive, but people who remain with just one bank are naïve, complacent or brain-dead.

Or just can't be a*sed.

It's not a case of "loyalty" as to why I remain with one bank. It's because to me current accounts are a utility, not a means to make a profit. That's not to say I haven't looked into getting other benefits; but right now it doesn't bother me too much.

Again, to each their own though.

Goldiegirl

ses6jwg wrote: »

A lot of it will boil down to the individual members of staff in your local branch and/ or the individual you get when you call up a call centre, regardless of the bank.

Agreed, it's not the bank being friendly, it's the individual member of staff that you speak to.

And it's not even about whether your account is in order or not. When I used to work in an arrears department of a major lender I always managed to have a good relationship with my customers.

Caladan

innovate wrote: »

Hmh. I can't see how any of this would happen if you manage your account properly.

But what do I know, I have only had several current accounts (usually at least two alongside each other) for the last 40 years.

Clerical errors do happen, even for customers who rarely communicate with their bank, it's actually very easy for mistakes to be made, I'll admit to a few in my time.

What matters in my opinion is what the company does to rectify a mistake and re-build the relationship with the customer, any company can make mistakes, only the best fix them properly.