Triodos vs Nationwide or maybe Starling?

Yamenja

blue.peter said:

I'd be a bit wary of ratings on the likes of Trustpilot, Feefo and so on. There's a tendency for unhappy customers to vent their spleen there, whilst the contented ones keep quiet. Of course, that's not to say that you can't learn anything useful from the comments. Sometimes, you can.

Yes, I took the 'disgruntled factor' into account. Starling rated very highly, and all the regular banks I checked looked bad, but I don't really need bells and whistles. The card reader thing is annoying, but much better than text interactions for me, so I don't mind too much.

[Deleted User]

Just be aware than Nationwide don't offer Post Office access with cash or cheques nor do they even have the app option for cheques. It's one of reasons that I don't use them for my main account but they are okay for the basics.

Have you also considered Metro Bank - particularly if you are within their branch network area?

[Deleted User]

While Starling do have online (desktop) banking now, you still require the mobile App to be able to login even with the desktop version.

blue.peter

Deleted User said:

Just be aware than Nationwide don't offer Post Office access with cash or cheques nor do they even have the app option for cheques.

True, but you can always post cheques (with their paying-in form) to their Swindon HQ. Obviously, this'll cost a day or two plus a stamp. They do also have a pretty decent branch network, so (if you're within easy reach of one, e.g., within range for a lunchtime stroll from your office) you can do the old-fashioned thing of depositing a cheque there.

How often do you have to pay cheques in? They're getting quite rare these days, I find. I can't remember the last time I received one. And I've only written one cheque myself in the last couple of years or so.

Neil49

Deleted_User said:

While Starling do have online (desktop) banking now, you still require the mobile App to be able to login even with the desktop version.

Quite right. 

Starling is basically a mobile based service (much like Monzo) which provides a desktop option to generally cover occasions where mobile access is unavailable.

I use Monzo and the desktop version only provides limited functionality compared with the mobile app.

Under the circumstances I think you should disregard Starling as a possible contender. 

Yamenja

Thanks so much for these pearls of wisdom, guys. The Post Office issue isn't a biggie for me, especially as I am planning a move that will make branch access for Nationwide easy. Although I don't usually handle cheques much, I have been doing recently, as executor and beneficiary of a will, especially as I'm keeping the deceased premium bonds account for a year. So grateful for the warning about Starling's desktop access not being adequate. Will look at Metro but thinking Nationwide will probably win the day, thanks to all your help. 

[Deleted User]

blue.peter said:

Deleted User said:

Just be aware than Nationwide don't offer Post Office access with cash or cheques nor do they even have the app option for cheques.

True, but you can always post cheques (with their paying-in form) to their Swindon HQ. Obviously, this'll cost a day or two plus a stamp. They do also have a pretty decent branch network, so (if you're within easy reach of one, e.g., within range for a lunchtime stroll from your office) you can do the old-fashioned thing of depositing a cheque there.

How often do you have to pay cheques in? They're getting quite rare these days, I find. I can't remember the last time I received one. And I've only written one cheque myself in the last couple of years or so.

Posting cheques into any bank/building society is not traceable (if they get lost) plus receiving non-personal cheques are still fairly common certainly in my experience. I find Nationwide's branch network geographically limited plus has had minimal opening hours recently - exacerbated by lacking alternatives like the PO or App deposits that other providers offer.

Definitely an MVP type banking service but your YMMV...

Yamenja

Deleted User said:

Posting cheques into any bank/building society is not traceable (if they get lost) plus receiving non-personal cheques are still fairly common certainly in my experience. I find Nationwide's branch network geographically limited plus has had minimal opening hours recently - exacerbated by lacking alternatives like the PO or App deposits that other providers offer.

Definitely an MVP type banking service but your YMMV...

As I've been with the Co-operative Bank since 1993, with an account based in Manchester, which I've never lived anywhere near, the limited branch availability and posting cheques doesn't bother me. I started the switch to a Nationwide online account today. There's a branch in the town I'm about to move to, where cheques can be paid into a machine, and I suppose knowing my way around their site already, and  maybe the cash incentives tor switching all helped nudge me towards them, along with the reserved support for them here. Thanks again, people! 

[Deleted User]

Yamenja said:

Deleted User said:

Posting cheques into any bank/building society is not traceable (if they get lost) plus receiving non-personal cheques are still fairly common certainly in my experience. I find Nationwide's branch network geographically limited plus has had minimal opening hours recently - exacerbated by lacking alternatives like the PO or App deposits that other providers offer.

Definitely an MVP type banking service but your YMMV...

As I've been with the Co-operative Bank since 1993, with an account based in Manchester, which I've never lived anywhere near, the limited branch availability and posting cheques doesn't bother me. I started the switch to a Nationwide online account today. There's a branch in the town I'm about to move to, where cheques can be paid into a machine, and I suppose knowing my way around their site already, and  maybe the cash incentives tor switching all helped nudge me towards them, along with the reserved support for them here. Thanks again, people! 

Hope it works out well.

Previously when I had a local branch, it was it was adequate but lack of a local branch coupled with their scant opening hours highlighted the gap of not having alternative channels to use. 

Grandad2b

I've been with Nationwide for many years and in general I'd say they're pretty good. The ability to pay in cheques at a PO would be useful but I also have a TSB account so would use that. I have to say I have not been impressed so far with Triodos but I'm not operating a current account with them so can't compare directly