banks with counters

wiganshale

I have two accounts, one with Nationwide, with which I'm happy, but the other one wants me to go on-line to read "urgent" nonsense letters from them using three security checks before even asking what I want. 

So, Can anyone recommend a bank with adequate counter staff (short queues), who don't require me to make an appointment with adequate ID , for simple queries. 

I hate the run around most websites use to avoid a direct response.

I thought Tesco (close by) might be OK but I want to be confident before I approach one.

la531983

Tesco dont operate physical banks with physical counters. Its a joint venture between Tesco and RBS. Nor do they seeming offer new current accounts anyway.

Also nobody here knows which banks are near to you, or what "queries" you are wanting to make. Many banks now only want people to go to the "counter" for actual transactions, most other queries are dealt with by a person with a computer usually near the entrance.

friolento

la531983 said:

Tesco dont operate physical banks with physical counters. Its a joint venture between Tesco and RBS. Nor do they seeming offer new current accounts anyway.

Also nobody here knows which banks are near to you, or what "queries" you are wanting to make. Many banks now only want people to go to the "counter" for actual transactions, most other queries are dealt with by a person with a computer usually near the entrance.

Agreed 👍

NB: the Tesco/RBS JV ended in 2008

la531983

That long? Wow.

I think the OP is wanting to hark back to an old way of banking, which (rightly or wrongly) isnt available in the year 2023. Are the Nationwide not able to cater to your needs, given you already hold an account with them?
Personally I am glad that bank counters arent cluttered up with people wanting to do mundane things like get statements etc, and they are now directed away from them.

Grizebeck

Sorry but you need to move with the times

Exodi

I think most banks are doing as much as they can to dissuade (mainly elderly) people from queuing in branches to perform, as la531983 says, completely mundane tasks.

During the pandemic, I actually witnessed one bank position staff outside trying to teach older people how to use an ATM in an attempt to reduce the sheer amount of (mainly elderly) people going in to check their balance or to take out £20 to buy some pet food.

While you may find it a great inconvenience "to go on-line to read "urgent" nonsense letters from them using three security checks", in my experience typing in my passcode or my mothers maiden name is significantly quicker than driving to the nearest branch. I'd also be interested what these regular 'simple queries' you are making that require an appointment and ID check.

You can perform most 'simple queries' (e.g. transfers, statements, open/closing accounts, etc) on most apps.

As the two posts above me have suggested, this transition is not an accident. I am very happy with the significantly increased level of convenience - I can switch my mortgage deal, open and finance a fixed savings account and download my bank statements without even leaving my house, I definitely don't support going backwards.

boingy

Some people, particularly those in the older demographic, just prefer the human interaction.

la531983

boingy said:

Some people, particularly those in the older demographic, just prefer the human interaction.

Banks and other businesses aren't social workers. If the elderly want social interaction, go to the bingo, or to a social club, or whatever.

badmemory

Nationwide is good, Halifax not bad, but some of the others are a pain in the proverbial.  To insist on texting a code to you when your mobile signal is rubbish is a real nuisance.  Having to check that it isn't too sunny or too heavy rain before trying a transaction is annoying.  Especially when those codes expire so quickly.

wmb194

wiganshale said:

I have two accounts, one with Nationwide, with which I'm happy, but the other one wants me to go on-line to read "urgent" nonsense letters from them using three security checks before even asking what I want. 

So, Can anyone recommend a bank with adequate counter staff (short queues), who don't require me to make an appointment with adequate ID , for simple queries. 

I hate the run around most websites use to avoid a direct response.

I thought Tesco (close by) might be OK but I want to be confident before I approach one.

If you have a e.g., an iPad or iPhone with face id or fingerprint scanner it's quick and easy to open most banking apps. You just need to set them up once and then every now and again e.g., when you change device.

jbrassy

If you can get a time machine and go back to when the internet didn't exist, I have loads of recommendations. In 2023, there are zero banks with lots of branches which are adequately staffed. The best bank I've dealt with is First Direct. Yes, they have no branches and are primarily online, but the telephone banking for when you need to speak to someone has never let me down. If you need to deposit cash, go to the Post Office.