Switching to Nationwide

ccdorset

Hello,

I’m just wondering if anyone uses Nationwide as their main current account provider and what they think of them?

I’m once again thinking of switching away from Lloyds and Nationwide has caught my eye, due to them being more ethical than the major banks and they also seem to have a decent customer service rating.

Also wondering how their Internet Bank and App compares to others nowadays.

Thanks :-)

Grabs39

I’ve moved most of my banking there last year, mainly for ethical concerns too.

The service has been great.  Online is fine, the only bug bear is that you need your card reader to set up a new payee, even within the App.  

blue.peter

I have two current accounts. I've got my DDs, standing orders etc split between them on a pretty arbirary, but roughly equal, basis. It's arguable whether they're both my "main" account, or neither is. One's Nationwide, the other's TSB. Anyway, my view is that Nationwide is, overall, good. It's better than TSB, Santander, Barclays and First Direct, and much better than RBS. If I wanted to limit myself to a single account, I'd be content with Nationwide.

*First Direct beats Nationwide on telephone service, but loses out elsewhere. IMO, nobody can beat First Direct on phone service.

ccdorset

Grabs39 said:

I’ve moved most of my banking there last year, mainly for ethical concerns too.

The service has been great.  Online is fine, the only bug bear is that you need your card reader to set up a new payee, even within the App.  

Thanks for your reply, that’s really good to hear!  I am thinking of moving other products to them as well, the ethical side of things has really become a priority for me.

The card reader wouldn’t bother me too much, but understand it is a bit of a hassle.

ccdorset

blue.peter said:

I have two current accounts. I've got my DDs, standing orders etc split between them on a pretty arbirary, but roughly equal, basis. It's arguable whether they're both my "main" account, or neither is. One's Nationwide, the other's TSB. Anyway, my view is that Nationwide is, overall, good. It's better than TSB, Santander, Barclays and First Direct, and much better than RBS. If I wanted to limit myself to a single account, I'd be content with Nationwide.

*First Direct beats Nationwide on telephone service, but loses out elsewhere. IMO, nobody can beat First Direct on phone service.

Thanks for your reply. That’s really encouraging. I must admit I used to bank with first direct and was considering moving back to them as the customer service used to be great, but the link to HSBC really bothers me now.

MalMonroe

Hi, I've had a Nationwide current account for the past 4.5 years. Haven't had any problems yet and I really don't mind having to use the card reader. Well in fact they give me a choice, I can either use the card reader or they can send a code by text. Doesn't take two minutes either way. 

If I need to ask a question I just use their messaging service via my online account. 

Grabs39

MalMonroe  I really don't mind having to use the card reader. Well in fact they give me a choice, I can either use the card reader or they can send a code by text. Doesn't take two minutes either way. 

I didn’t know we could do that - I’ll check the settings online.  Texting a code would be fine for me.  Thanks!

It’s not an issue now with COVID but previously I’d often quickly transfer money if a colleague went out to the sandwich van, or if I was having a meal with friends etc.  I wouldn’t carry the card reader with me so that would be a bit awkward, especially for the sake of giving someone a fiver for my lunch!

Zellah

MalMonroe said:

Hi, I've had a Nationwide current account for the past 4.5 years. Haven't had any problems yet and I really don't mind having to use the card reader. Well in fact they give me a choice, I can either use the card reader or they can send a code by text. Doesn't take two minutes either way. 

The choice of a card reader or SMS is only when logging into desktop banking. You are forced to use NW's card reader when setting up new payees and even sometimes when paying existing payees.

I have both First Direct and Nationwide FlexPlus current accounts and I find the First Direct account far superior for day to day banking - the NW account is used as a backup and for the insurance benefits it offers @ £13/m
1) FD offer an interest & fee free £250 overdraft buffer which i find extremely useful occasionally. NW charge around 40% in interest on ANY overdraft amount, as do most other banks.
2) No need to faff around with physical card readers with FD if you chosen the Digital Secure Key option. You can simply setup new payees through their app. Not possible with NW, as you are forced to use a card reader when setting up new payees - desktop or app banking. But worst of all with NW, you are occasionally forced to use a card reader for EXISTING payees!!
3) If you have to call up FD, they usually pick up the phone within 30 seconds if calling them on their 0113-2345678 number. NW can take ages to pick up the phone.

Fighter1986

I'm very happy with Nationwide. Their online banking and mobile app are very powerful; they don't dumb things down, they don't throw commecials for irrelevant products in your face, they have a bit of the "Old Guard" feel about them. Down to earth, professional banking.

All of their call centres are in-land, well staffed, and knowledgable. 

You do need their card reader to hand when setting up a new payee but I don't find that a problem. I have more than one (they're happy to send another one out on request). I don't think you need to use a card reader to pay someone small amounts via PAYM; a very handy tool for settling your share of a restaurant bill etc. 

Only niggle is their lack of support for scanning in cheques. And they don't provide paying in slips. So it's branch only for depositing cheques. Or stick a stamp on an envelope and mail it in; they don't provide postage paid envelopes either. It's rarely an issue but a frustrating niggle that came to light since lockdown. 

But by far for me what really stands out about Nationwide vs banks is how they don't patronise the customer. They expect the customer to know what's best for themselves rather than transforming themselves into "Notification City" a'la Monzo. 

Quite happy to stay put with Nationwide long term. 

EarthBoy

I've been a Nationwide customer for over 30 years, but I've stopped using them because their online and mobile banking isn't half as good as Lloyds or Halifax. It doesn't show any references for incoming payments, for a start, whether the person sending you money has included a reference or not. 
The worst thing, I find, is how they treat inter-Nationwide payments. For these, they don't show you the name of the sender, only their bank details.  E.g. if I send money to your Nationwide account from my own Nationwide account, all you will see on your statement or mobile app is an incoming payment from 07-01-16 12345678. It won't show you my name, so unless you're expecting the money you won't have a clue who it's come from.  Similarly, my statement /app won't show your name, only your Nationwide bank details, so it can be difficult to remember who I've paid. 
For payments to and from every other bank, their systems will display the account holder's name, but not for payments between Nationwide accounts.
I've been complaining to Nationwide about this for at least ten years now, but other than agreeing with me that's it's frustrating, they have shown no sign of changing it.

[Deleted User]

They are fine to use as your main banker but definitely seem a bit in the slow lane with adding new features.
Also, they don't support app cheque deposit and Post Office deposits either.