Switching Bank Accounts

kevin_mcnulty

In the recent Best Bank recommendations it appears that Halifax are offering a tempting deal on joining them. I was really interested in taking up this offer and changing my bank to them.
Fortunately I decided to look up their reviews on Trustpilot. I have rarely seen a more damning set of criticisms with virtually every post condemning this bank.
Their own reviews give a very optimistic view of themselves but do read Trustpilot independent reviews before making up your mind.

[Deleted User]

I opened a Halifax Reward current account earlier this year (Feb) and switched another acount to it to take advantage of the switch offer and ongoing £5 monthly reward (reducing to £3 soon).

It was a very easy process and the switch incentive was paid into the new account very quickly, even before the switch had completed. Since then I have had no problems with the account. Pay in £750 a month and pay out 2 DD's, and receive £5 a month with no hitches. I don't use the account as my main current account, though. The more you use an account the more scope there is for problems to arise, I suppose.

Just my experience.

northwalesd

My OH banks with Halifax, and we have a joint account there that pays all our joint bills (mortgage, utilities etc.). Never had an ounce of trouble with them.

I find the problem with review sites like Trustpilot is that most of the reviews will be left by those who do have issues and want to let off steam, so you'll see more bad than good.

eskbanker

There are any number of different ways of assessing banks but for those who are easily swayed by subjective opinions then you might want to try the MSE poll at http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/banking/2016/08/hsbc-bottom-in-our-banking-poll-as-first-direct-grabs-top-spot-again-

This has Halifax as mid-table but I'm sure if you look hard enough you could find some analysis that has them at the top and likewise somewhere else they'll be ranked at the bottom!

Placitasgirl

I'm sure the number of people who'll leave a review when they're unhappy or dissatisfied with something far outweighs those who would leave a review when everything is fine and working well. I recently switched a current account to Halifax and am very happy with everything. The process was quick and easy and I have absolutely no grumbles whatsoever.

Katiehound

I've now had my Halifax Reward account for more than 5 years and it is my main bank a/c. I have only once had an issue with them- they have done a lot better than my previous a/c with NatWest.

In this instance I wouldn't listen to all the complaints- they are clearly the small percentage of folk who have had major problems. No bank will ever be perfect for every customer.Trustpilot have never asked me!

These days if you switch (getting that nice little welcome gift) there is nothing to stop you switching again and it really does only take 7 days compared with the hassle years ago.

johnac

people are quicker to complain than praise, I wouldn't trust trust pilot as a representative view.

As others said, had Halifax reward for a while, no issues

jamie_02

Trustpilot apparently ranks both First Direct and Nationwide as 'bad' with one star each. These two institutions consistently rank very highly amongst consumer awards and on MSE, and the ratings do not reflect my experience as a long-standing customer of both. I don't know what Trustpilot's methodology is (I suspect it simply allows people to rant) but based on all of this I wouldn't give their 'rating' the benefit of a moment's thought.

bigadaj

So where do we get a rating of Trust pilot ?

MissDanti

I am Halifax customer. I've had 2 accounts for more than 4 years now. Prior to having accounts with Halifax I was rejected by Lloyds.
As far I am concerned Halifax has always been very helpful since day one. All the process from opening the the accounts to switching account and changing addresses was very straight forward and no fuss at all. The staff at different Halifax branches have always been so friendly. So contrary with Nationwide where I read many good recommendations online but when I went there the staff was not very welcoming so does their decision in rejecting my application.

Yawn

I've banked with Halifax for five years now. I've always been very happy with their customer service. I am much less happy with the way they have been reducing benefits over the past year (first raising the interest on my credit card 'because my benefits had changed', then removing the reward on their credit card, and now on the bank account as well).