TSB - anyone offer an opinion?

teddysmum

Charlton_King wrote: »

Great. This is what we're looking for.

We've been quite happy with the Co-op over the years but they closed our local branch some time ago and now I believe the next nearest is under threat. I am totally uneasy about the whole concept of internet banking with whichever supplier. The only aspect left is phone banking at which the Co-op used to shine but now even this is on the slide. Yes, I'm a fan of 'ethical' but frankly this isn't going to retain us if no other 'plus' is offered.

If you use online banking and have a problem, you can ring up and get help, even if not registered for telephone banking.

OceanSound

If you are looking for excellent telephone support and customer service you will more often than not experience this with first direct. They usually top each and every ranking for c. Service under the sun. Here's one:
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/banking/2018/03/first-direct-tops-our-banking-customer-service-poll-again---check-how-well-your-bank-did-

If you want branch support, pop into an hsbc branch. If not, pop in to your local post office. You can do things like withdraw cash, pay in cheque etc.

JuicyJesus

TSB aren't great. The branch people were OK but they had a tendency to make nice promises to get me off the phone and then not actually deliver on them. I wouldn't have minded so much but it actually involved wasting my time with branch appointments and such.

They're mid-tier. Better than Santander, about as good as HSBC, not as good as Nationwide.

colsten

JuicyJesus wrote: »

They're mid-tier. Better than Santander, about as good as HSBC, not as good as Nationwide.

By which criteria?

JuicyJesus

colsten wrote: »

By which criteria?

Just my general thoughts about their service levels. Nationwide have been good for me, HSBC generally competent with a couple of issues, Santander dire.

colsten

JuicyJesus wrote: »

Just my general thoughts about their service levels. Nationwide have been good for me, HSBC generally competent with a couple of issues, Santander dire.

So it's your personal opinion, based on your personal experience. Hardly objective.

Here's my un-objective view, based on having current accounts with all the UK providers that offer them: they are all much of a muchness. Different ones have different weaknesses and different strengths. Bottom line is that they all offer the essentials a current account needs to come with.

With the Current Account Switching Service, it's now also easy as pie to switch provider if for some reason people just don't want to stay with a given bank.

Trying17

I like TSB, as already said old fashion style banking.
Had local branch phone me, asking if happy with service , ( newish customer ) and at the moment interest and rewards every month are quiet good.
The mobile app can be a bit flaky at times though.

eskbanker

colsten wrote: »

So it's your personal opinion, based on your personal experience. Hardly objective.

To be fair, as per the thread title, OP was asking for opinions!

Whether there's actually any value in soliciting inherently subjective opinions from random strangers on the internet is another matter but hey ho, each to their own....

Charlton_King

Yes, I was asking for opinions and it's probably a case of 'the more, the merrier' to get at least some kind of statistical base for an 'average'.

I appreciate that everyone's experience can differ and we all need to relax and keep that fact in mind.

Any other opinions still greatly appreciated.

Oh yes and can anyone confirm that they will not issue paper statements on the 'Classic Plus' account? I really do not want to go down the internet banking route.

System

Although I commented favourably on the TSB earlier in this thread a few month ago I switched to the Co-op - I had come to the end of the debit card rewards and the Co-op was offering £125 (+ £25 to charity) and an on-going reward of £5.50 a month. What tipped the balance was that I was watching the Manchester Pride procession last August and the Co-operative Bank had a big contingent. Support of minority groups like this is important in my book. To be fair, Barclays is always represented at Pride events too. So far the Co-op has been excellent and the couple of phone calls I have needed to make were handled very professionally and courteously. I'm not too bothered about who currently owns them, as long as their ethical stance remains intact.