Good service with a bank ? Looking for a new one

baby_frogmella

TheEffect wrote: »

I've banked with nearly every high street bank (and First Direct) and I recommend Barclays.

Their iPhone/iPad app are the best out of them all IMO

I agree, Barclays have arguably the best internet banking site and an excellent smartphone app. However if you ever need to call them, then god really help you. 9/10 times you'll be put through to their Indian call centre who'll read off a script. Very frustrating.

TheEffect wrote: »

First Direct were okay, but they've fallen behind in the times. Their internet banking is quite old and basic, their app is simply a mobile website packaged as an app and it's actually quicker to call Barclays than FD these days. Also, FD don't have a free number that's included in mobile minutes or landline allowance (only one for overseas).

FD do have a dedicated mobile app and its been out for donkeys years (at least for iOS). As for calling FD, i've never used any number other than 0113-2345678 and it always comes out of landline/mobile mins and 99% of the time they answer the phone after a few rings.

TheEffect

baby_frogmella wrote: »

I agree, Barclays have arguably the best internet banking site and an excellent smartphone app. However if you ever need to call them, then god really help you. 9/10 times you'll be put through to their Indian call centre who'll read off a script. Very frustrating.

Using the ''Call Us' button in the Barclays App puts you straight through to a UK call centre. You only get the Indian call centre when calling them direct.

baby_frogmella wrote: »

FD do have a dedicated mobile app and its been out for donkeys years (at least for iOS). As for calling FD, i've never used any number other than 0113-2345678 and it always comes out of landline/mobile mins and 99% of the time they answer the phone after a few rings.

As someone who studied software engineering at university, I can safely say that the last time I used First Direct's iOS app (6 months ago), it's actually primarily a UIWebView (Mobile Website) packaged as an app.

I know they've introduced the secure key in the app since then, so it may have changed, but I doubt it.