Best Bank

Biggles

I'm not interested in which bank has the best customer service, as I hope never to have to use it.

I'm only interested in fees, charges, interest rates etc. And those will differ according to your needs and the use you intend to make of the account.

Bloomberg

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?

I switched my main banking from HSBC to Barclays. The main reason is that Barclays have a fully functioning app, the HSBC fast balance one is near useless. As I rarely use a branch I make judgements based on the on line service and mobile banking app.



The Barclays savings rates are not that important as the vast majority of my money is in J P Morgan and other institutions. I believe that it is rare to be able to get everything you need from one institution. I have my ISA with HSBC as they offer a market leading rate on balances over £15k.

You-kip

With my bank account I get a debit card of which works in an ATM and also has a facility to pay for goods online or in shops which then deducted from my balance.
The bank I'm with also comes with a phone number in case Something goes wrong.

gt94sss2

agrinnall wrote: »

if physical branches are important for you, then FD will be at the bottom of that list.

While I agree with your general point, I don't totally agree with this example as First Direct customers can use both HSBC branches and Post Offices.

Regards
Sunil

Anthorn

smile current account is best for lower regular income and pensioners: No minimum funding, regular income or pension must be paid directly in to the account, £500 fee-free overdraft for 12 months but interest still applies, cheque book, paying-in book, VISA Debit card, card reader.

If you have an IVA or have been bankrupt you can't have an account or if you already have an account and start an IVA or become bankrupt your account will be closed.

Herbalus

Why don't you have a look at today's poll: http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/poll/05-08-2013/how-do-you-rate-your-bank-account-service-aug2013

That should give you a good idea about who is happy with their bank.

agrinnall

gt94sss2 wrote: »

While I agree with your general point, I don't totally agree with this example as First Direct customers can use both HSBC branches and Post Offices.

Regards
Sunil

Fair point, although if you want to see a FD employee for any reason it's not going to happen just by walking into your local Post Office (I actually have no idea how you would get to see a FD employee at all).

pqrdef

To send money from a bank to some place it needs to be:

Log in to the bank and make a real-time Faster Payment.

To send money from Santander to some place it needs to be:

Log in to a bank (which has sufficient money and won't miss it) and make a real-time Faster Payment from there.

Then log in to Santander and send the money to the bank you made the FP from, which may receive it today or tomorrow or after the weekend or maybe after Christmas.

Don't attempt to make any important payment from Santander, because it may disappear into some limbo where you can't make it go, you can't cancel it, and you've got no idea what's happening. It may even reappear in your account - and then disappear again.

Santander has its uses, but it isn't quite in the big league.

Brian8888

What do you guys think of HSBC?

TheEffect

Brian8888 wrote: »

What do you guys think of HSBC?

In my opinion, one of the best Internet Banking websites if it wasn't for the secure key. The ability to see payments going in/out the next day is very handy, as is being able to message a staff member, update when you're travelling etc.

The only downside of HSBC is their app is terrible. I know they're releasing a new version soon.

Barclays seem to be quite good. Great app, internet banking and they offer small but useful things like same day debit cards (in branch).