Best Bank

ironman1

I am considering switching banks, who can say they are happy with their bank, what makes it good, who has good customer service and why?

poolforever

Halifax

£100 for joining plus £5 a month

Total £160

robatwork

That's more of a bribe than good customer service.

First Direct consistently come top of just about every bank survey for service

rb10

Generally Nationwide and First Direct are deemed to come top for customer service.

Followed by most of the rest of the big players (Halifax/Santander/Lloyds/HSBC).

And Natwest and Barclays lurk somewhere near the bottom of the list.

Whilst I'm sure that a lot of people will come on here praising First Direct (this forum has a large pro-FD following), note that although their customer service is generally good, they are primarily a telephone bank - their internet banking and mobile app are shocking. So a lot of it depends on to what you are looking for.

MoneySaverLog

rb10 wrote: »

Followed by most of the rest of the big players (Halifax/Santander/Lloyds/HSBC).

And Natwest and Barclays lurk somewhere near the bottom of the list.

I agree with your assessment of First Direct but to put Santander above Natwest and Barclays :rotfl:

agrinnall

I would expect every bank to have some customers who think it is the best. What your question should really be is "which is the best bank for me?", and that can only be answered if we know what factors you consider to be the most important. For instance, if physical branches are important for you, then FD will be at the bottom of that list.

Archi_Bald

MoneySaverLog wrote: »

I agree with your assessment of First Direct but to put Santander above Natwest and Barclays :rotfl:

Absolutely, any day. Not only is the Santander service not any worse than that of Barclays or Natwest - - they beat them hands-down when it comes to interest paid on ISAs and current accounts.

John1993_2

ironman1 wrote: »

I am considering switching banks, who can say they are happy with their bank, what makes it good, who has good customer service and why?

Coutts seem to be about best. More branches than First Direct too...

But as others have said, First Direct seem to do well in surveys.

Archi_Bald

John1993 wrote: »

Coutts seem to be about best.

They are the worst for me since I am unable, this week, to raise the half million quid or so needed to open an account there.

dotdash79

I get HSBC advance for free and I have to say it's excellent, the service when I speak to some one is brilliant and I've not had any problems with them for years.

Would I be as happy without the advance account not sure, but I wouldn't pay for it.

wiseshark

How did you get a HSBC advance for FREE? Please tell us more.