Can't decide between Lloyds, NatWest, or Nationwide?

jameschristianmartin13

I have a NatWest, Lloyds, and Nationwide bank close to me and I like to be close to a branch. I was wondering out of the three which one would people recommend?

grumbler

I don't remember the last time I was in a branch.
What exactly do you want from a bank besides a branch nearby?

MSE article: Best Bank Accounts

Paul_1977

If you want the bank for a branch, I would suggest Nationwide (not a bank).

Britain's biggest building society is planning a major investment in its branches, despite its banking rivals close hundreds of high-street locations.
Nationwide plans to spend around £300m on its branch network over the next five years, it is understood, in a ringing endorsement of its bricks and mortar operation.
The move comes as Lloyds, Barclays, Royal Bank of Scotland and HSBC close hundreds of branches in a cost-cutting drive.
As a mutual, Nationwide does not have the same profit pressures as its commercial rivals, and can reinvest profits in its services.
It is believed the organisation plans a major upgrade of its cash machines, and plans to roll out its video link service, Nationwide Now, across more branches.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/11502768/Nationwide-defies-banks-branch-closures-with-major-cash-injection.html

Lloyds and RBS may close the local branch a lot sooner than Nationwide.

shortcrust

Paul_1977 wrote: »

If you want the bank for a branch, I would suggest Nationwide (not a bank).



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/banksandfinance/11502768/Nationwide-defies-banks-branch-closures-with-major-cash-injection.html

Lloyds and RBS may close the local branch a lot sooner than Nationwide.

On the other hand, there's only one Nationwide branch in the whole of Sheffield. There are 12 Lloyds branches and six RBS.

As far as recommendations go, I've got an account with Lloyds and Nationwide. Both are fine.

planteria

of those 3, if i could only have 1 account, i would have a Lloyds account. better service than NatWest or Nationwide in my experience.. and if i could only have 1 bank account i would be selecting between Barclays, HSBC and Lloyds....but i bank with all 3, and others.

GaleSF63

With Nationwide it will depend on the account you want to open whether the branch is any use to you.

I have a FlexDirect account which pays interest on the account (5% in the first year on the first £2500) but I can't use the branch (with exceptions but I don't know what they are and they haven't happened yet).

Katiehound

personally I would choose Lloyds- with the Club LLoyds a/c if possible as it has some good perks.

Have had a Nationwide online a/c for a year. Opening it by phone was a nightmare- not at the time, but because they didn't actually open it! Has introductory interest offer for one year- a/c now switched.

had Natwest a/c for 40 years! Finally switched to get some interest, they made a mistake losing £40 but would not compensate me ( months later when the mistake came to light) because I "was no longer a customer!"

pollypenny

We've switched from HSBC to Nationwide Flex Plus, for its benefits, all of which are worth to us, especially worldwide travel.

cakeforbrains

I have an account at Natwest, and my husband switched from Lloyds to Nationwide.

Of the three, we both prefer Nationwide. It might be because they're a building society, but they seem friendlier and more able to 'bend' the rules, such as refunding charges when we call them to explain the mistake.

cornish123

halifax for the £100 switch incentive, cashback offers, the free fiver a month and the £50 fee free buffer if you get the reward account.

starM

I vote for Nationwide. It has excellent Internet banking + recommend a friend scheme which provides incentive to existing customer + new customers. Not like most other banks who incentive are for new customers only.

It is also the only internet banking in which you can track progress of your switch.

My 2nd vote goes to Lloyds - Club Lloyds is a good account with interest + free cinema vouchers every year.