Who Do You Bank With (and why)?

anotheruser

Hot on the heels of Martin's appearance on TV about banking, who do you consider your "main" bank account to be with?

I realise people spread their money between banks, have six different current accounts and what not but there must be one that stands slightly above the rest.

I currently bank with HSBC for my main current account, Santander for my main joint account. I chose HSBC in voting.

HSBC: I only bank with them because my parents did. Their online banking is pretty good but there are small things which make me sad such as advertising mobile banking but not having a link to it on that page. They do nothing to innovate and try to be the best. Other banks have good mobile apps but HSBC has a "read-only" app. Yes, new one coming soon but it's been like that for 6 months now. They also don't care to develop an app for Windows 8 / Windows Phone. When visiting their site using a mobile, I get the full website, not the mobile site like (for example) the BBC.
They also told me they didn't load any charges when using credit cards abroad.

Santander: Seem nice. Not been with them for too long, but their online banking is straight forward and the android app is pretty good. No Windows 8 / Windows Phone app as yet but I keep reminding them there is a need.
Decided to bank with them for the cashback. It's a shame their 123 credit card doesn't allow free payments abroad like Halifax's Clarity CC.


No multiple voting | Poll closes on the 29th of October.
Vote now!

poolforever

Halifax.

Just for the £160 for the year

Archi_Bald

You shouldn't have Lloyds lumped together with TSB, or First Direct with "other branchless"

Tiglath

Natwest for the past 28 years, same branch where my parents had an account since 1956. They've been really good and very helpful over the years - no complaints whatsoever.

marleyboy

Natwest for the past 20 Years. I don't trust online banking and would not even consider the risks involved with banking apps on my phone or contactless bank cards for shopping.

wiseshark

My main current account is with the Halifax which generally I'm happy about and the service they have provided.

Have other current account as I don't keep my eggs in one basket and will jump ship if necessary. Loyalty is unlikely to be rewarded and often misplaced.

Bloomberg

I use Barclays, they have an excellent website and mobile banking app - the mobile pinsentry is brilliant. They are extremely innovative and offer an excellent service. Their iPad app is also top notch, as is the Pingit app. They have an excellent showcase of products.




Although I rarely visit a branch it is good that they have so many of them just in case I need one. I know that their interest rates are poor but I only use them for banking, I use other institutions for saving and investing. I don't think that you can normally get everything you need from one bank.




Finally I think that it is very sad that people appear to be so swayed by the joining incentives. A one off gift does not compensate for years of bad service. People should look at their requirements and comare these to what a particular bank offers. If it so happens that the bank which is best for them offers an incentive then that should be regarded as a bonus.

stclair

NatWest - Because it's part of my contract of employment.

Lloyds - because I just liked them as a bank at the time and to transfer my salary into so my employer don't know how and when I spend my own money.

matttye

Santander - because they pay me money for paying my bills.

TSB - I always liked Lloyds as a bank and kept my account open for my emergency fund when I switched to Santander as my main bank, but my branch got switched to TSB. I couldn't be bothered to close it and open a new account with Lloyds when they're not even my main bank at the minute.

oldagetraveller

Co-op/Smile are not on the list. Therefore "other" vote.
I also have a Lloyds account to which I am gradually swapping everything over. So in a few weeks it will be Lloyds.

SailorSam

Your poll only lets us choose one.
I've got different accounts for different things.