I want a NICE current account!

jonesMUFCforever

feesh wrote: »

Sorry, I guess I didn't explain myself enough - by "nice" I really mean "good customer service".


And when I say I have got fed up of the major banks, I am talking about over the past 16 years or so since I had my first grown up account, it's not a recent development!

First bank was Natwest when I was 16, but they made an error which made me overdrawn (aged 16!!!) and charged me. Mum kicked up a stink and we closed the account.

At Uni, I encountered terrible customer service with Lloyds TSB and Barclays, both of whom seemed intent on leading me into more debt and not actually helping me to live within my means. They were fine when they were giving you the hard sell, but if you tried to do something useful like reduce your overdraft they didn't want to know!>>>>>>>>>It is not a bank's job to tell you how to live within your means that's your mum's job(see above paragraph) - it is utter !!!!!!!! that they would not accept a credit from you to reduce any debt that you might have had with them. I take it you had 2 student accounts then when you should have only had one?

For most of my Uni life and about 8 years after I was with HSBC, who used to be fantastic, but a couple of years ago started to give me the hard sell almost constantly. I asked a few friends who work for them in the City and apparently the staff were on sales-related bonuses. Add to that a previously very friendly and helpful Leeds call centre being moved out to India, and suddenly the A&L account looked very appealing!

A&L have been OK, as long as you don't need anything extra from them or have to deal with their call centre, they are OK, but their staff are pretty surly and unhelpful on the phone.

I am a bit annoyed by their exhorbitant bank charges though, as due to my amazing !!!!-up this week of managing my accounts, I've racked up over £100 in charges already, with more to come. Yes it is my fault, it's been one hell of a bad week! However....

I know that by claiming back these charges under Martin's technique, they will end up closing my account.

The overdraft could be super balance-transferred to my Egg card and I'll pay it off with my bonus.

In the meantime, I would like to start a long term relationship with a bank that has good customer service, doesn't try and give me the hard sell, and has nice friendly people on the end of the phone if I ever need them!

I am particularly attracted to Smile or the Co-op bank because of their ethical banking policy, but would love to hear of people's experiences with them (or any other recommendations of good quality banks).

In today's world the bank you want does not exist.
If you are rich enough (or your city pals can pull a few strings) try Coutts!

DontDoDebtKids

Dylanwing wrote: »

I have found Nationwide to be OK.

I'd echo this - they also have the advantage over smile that they have lots of branches.

topher_2

Depends if you need to use a branch much. If you bank with smile you can use co-op branches and you can pay money in at the Post Office.