Decent banks

Anthorn

Quick update: The Tesco savings account has eventually been done and is up and running. My first instinct is that first impressions count, to close it and run like hell every time I hear "Tesco". But their interest rate is comparatively good and that was the reason for opening it in the first place.

In conclusion not a good initial experience but I'm banking on having a good relationship with them in the future.

Archi_Bald

Anthorn wrote: »

Quick update: The Tesco savings account has eventually been done and is up and running. My first instinct is that first impressions count, to close it and run like hell every time I hear "Tesco". But their interest rate is comparatively good and that was the reason for opening it in the first place.

In conclusion not a good initial experience but I'm banking on having a good relationship with them in the future.

Tesco savings accounts are by a rather wide margin the most functionally rich of all savings accounts in the UK market, and have been so for several years now. To avoid further disappointment, perhaps you shouldn't hope for any grand relationship as banks haven't done relationships for the last decade or so.

Mr_Goodkat

Archi_Bald wrote: »

Tesco savings accounts are by a rather wide margin the most functionally rich of all savings accounts in the UK market, and have been so for several years now. To avoid further disappointment, perhaps you shouldn't hope for any grand relationship as banks haven't done relationships for the last decade or so.

Spot on sir

takman

Anthorn wrote: »

Quick update: The Tesco savings account has eventually been done and is up and running. My first instinct is that first impressions count, to close it and run like hell every time I hear "Tesco". But their interest rate is comparatively good and that was the reason for opening it in the first place.

In conclusion not a good initial experience but I'm banking on having a good relationship with them in the future.

You must be joking?. Why have you not opened a Tesco Current Account if all you are after is the interest?. The current account will pay 3% interest!.

bigadaj

Archi_Bald wrote: »

Tesco savings accounts are by a rather wide margin the most functionally rich of all savings accounts in the UK market, and have been so for several years now. To avoid further disappointment, perhaps you shouldn't hope for any grand relationship as banks haven't done relationships for the last decade or so.

I always get my valet to deal with tradespeople.

Jlawson118

I keep hearing numerous reports of First Direct being unable to handle mortgages lately, which is a shame because I think they're a great bank, apart from I had a bit of friction with them last year over a different subject but I'm still with them for their good interest rates on savings..

Anyway, in terms of good banks, I just opened another account with Halifax in which signing up was easy, and switching another current account to them was easy. They just seem like a really great bank and I don't know why I haven't signed up with them earlier..
I also have another account with Lloyds bank, but the only reason I have that one open now is because I have a good credit card with them, otherwise they're not an amazing bank..

Anthorn

takman wrote: »

You must be joking?. Why have you not opened a Tesco Current Account if all you are after is the interest?. The current account will pay 3% interest!.

You're assuming that I didn't attempt to open a Tesco current account. Next comes the question of how I know about the account opening process. In fact I did start an application but then withdrew because I couldn't face more of the same which I started to get.

My problem is a low regular income coupled with a relatively large cash balance which has to be instant access so the Tesco current account would have been ideal but I don't need the interest that badly.

ptoner27

After a farcical few months with HSBC and 25 years of loyalty, I got tired of their nonsense and decided a change was needed. (More of us ought to be doing it to keep this lot on their toes.)

I've gone with a relatively new bank in the South East called Metro Bank and so far, the experience is hassle free and they are totally geared towards Internet banking et al.

Can't speak about them in the context of mortgages though...

Anthorn

ptoner27 wrote: »

After a farcical few months with HSBC and 25 years of loyalty, I got tired of their nonsense and decided a change was needed. (More of us ought to be doing it to keep this lot on their toes.)

I've gone with a relatively new bank in the South East called Metro Bank and so far, the experience is hassle free and they are totally geared towards Internet banking et al.

Can't speak about them in the context of mortgages though...

Oh I would love a Metro Bank account. Back to the good old days when I got carpeted by the bank manager. Next best is probably Handelsbanken but doesn't appeal.

takman

Anthorn wrote: »

You're assuming that I didn't attempt to open a Tesco current account. Next comes the question of how I know about the account opening process. In fact I did start an application but then withdrew because I couldn't face more of the same which I started to get.

My problem is a low regular income coupled with a relatively large cash balance which has to be instant access so the Tesco current account would have been ideal but I don't need the interest that badly.

Just do it!. All you have to do is apply online wait for some letters and sign one and send it back. Yes it may take a few weeks but it takes little effort and once it's opened you put your money in and leave it!. All very hassle free.