Good service with a bank ? Looking for a new one

jamesd

WelshKitty wrote: »

I also am a no no with HSBC

Then probably forget about First Direct as well. I used to think that the FD direct employees were OK compared to HSBC's security side which handles that for FD. Until a mistake there led to HsBC's security team deciding to change my offset mortgage to a standard one. One apology later and still told not to use my current account for transactions related to my mortgage repayment strategy I still don't trust them not to screw things up very thoroughly. FD might well be great if divested from HSBC. FD's security dongle is something they should be ashamed to be offering, probably the worst available in the UK. At least you have the option of the secure choice of not using it.

Santander is unimpressive routinely but hasn't managed to screw things up for me quite so potentially expensively. Very unimpressed by their security-related hassles but nowhere near as bad as FD for magnitiude of hassle when things have gone wrong.

I've a long record of good to decent service from NatWest. Much better consistency than FD/HSBC combined. No security-related issues from them, they just get on with delivering the service, considerably better than either FD or Santander in this respect, it's completely transparent to me.

rb10

WelshKitty wrote: »

Personally for me I call as I have health issues in which I put my partner on the phone normally as depending on whether I am having a good or bad day dealing with certain things I need to speak to a person . Otherwise I live by mobile apps

To be honest, you seem to have narrowed down the search to just a few banks...

First Direct - out as they don't have a decent mobile app
Natwest - I wouldn't recommend them, their customer service is patchy (some people have a good experience, others have a horrendous one), IT record is terrible, online banking 'average'
Barclays - no decent products

So that leaves Nationwide, and Lloyds/Halifax/TSB.

Nationwide has the better mobile banking, and (statistically) better customer service than any other high-street bank.

For me, Lloyds/Halifax/TSB have better products than Nationwide - but it might be worth you looking on their websites to see and make your own decision based on your own needs?

Bloomberg

WelshKitty wrote: »

Hi all ,
I am looking for a bank with good service .... I know I know sounds impossible in this day and age but I'm done with Santander ! I also am a no no with HSBC as I know they mainly are concerned with business people instead of personal accounts .


Has anyone had fab or great service from a bank ?

Barclays have a brilliant website, mobile banking app and iPad app. They have a lots of branches and the service is lively. With their app you can cancel lost and stolen cards as well change statement preferences - switching to and from paperless. If you forget your pin it can be viewed on line. Full on line statements are up to the minute unlike with Nationwide. They also offer text alerts and much more. Since switching to them I have never looked back.

innovate

WelshKitty wrote: »

Personally for me I call as I have health issues in which I put my partner on the phone normally as depending on whether I am having a good or bad day dealing with certain things I need to speak to a person

You need to make appropriate arrangements with your bank beforehand if you expect to need somebody else acting on your behalf.

baby_frogmella

rb10 wrote: »

First Direct - out as they don't have a decent mobile app

Total codswallop. FD have one of the best dedicated mobile apps (at least for iOS) unlike say Lloyds or Halifax which is just a mobile version of their website. In the FD app no need to faff around with many user id's/passwords, just enter 1 password and you can do many things online. As good as Barclays and Nationwide mobile apps imo.

OP, First Direct has very good customer service certainly better than the likes of Halifax, HSBC,Barclays and Nationwide. I speak from experience as i've been with the latter 4 banks and FD's support is a zillion times better.

YorkshireBoy

baby_frogmella wrote: »

unlike say...Halifax which is just a mobile version of their website.

It's been reported recently that Halifax/BoS now have a better mobile product...


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4879271

ampersand

Hello WelshKitty -
I'm about to go into my Natwest Branch for an appt. re: new e-a/c interest deal and new mob. apps.
For every recommendation you read, there will probably be a fierce 'NO!!!' from someone who has had a dreadful experience.
I will simply say that when there have been RARE blips, because online banking makes this possible, not probable,outstanding goodwill gestures have followed.

I like and trust the people I know in several Branches and value this highly, aware as I am of the nightmare of some Natwest past problems and the taint of RBS association. I have always disliked the mob rounding savagely on anything/one and judge on what I know and experience.

I like Natwest's extended opening hours over weekends.

I like their making £5 notes available in atm's around Cambridge[response to student requests].

Appt and interest rate reminders on phone are helpful. Other Banks may do this, but I like the friendly courtesy of mine, from people I know.

Best wishes in finding a Bank that fits you. You should both go to any appt then 'compare and contrast' thoughts after...perhaps over your free My Waitrose coffee/tea:-)

For me, following late OH's death, Alliance & Leicester and Barclay's were vicious, deaf, 'subject to malign influence' and 'despicable in their behaviour'[official report] Through them I lost everything.

p.s. I am not wealthy, stated this from the off, and it has made not one iota of difference. I pay nothing for either a/c; earn interest monthly.

opinions4u

I'm not sure why apps are that important. Perhaps I'm a dinosaur.

As long as I can see my cash, move my money and occasionally open a new account I'm more than happy with what gets put in front of me.

Do we sometimes choose to overcomplicate our lives by being unhappy with layout, colour and niche functionality?

baby_frogmella

YorkshireBoy wrote: »

It's been reported recently that Halifax/BoS now have a better mobile product...


https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4879271

Errrmmm no.... whilst BoS now have a dedicated app, Halifax and Lloyds still have the horrible mobile version of their desktop banking website site

baby_frogmella

opinions4u wrote: »

I'm not sure why apps are that important. Perhaps I'm a dinosaur.

Do you carry your desktop or laptop pc with you 24 hrs a day? I don't but like many my smartphone is with me 24 hrs a day.