METRO BANK TIME WASTED

BODHISATTVA_2

I drove 44 miles yesterday to Birmingham to open a one year fixed-rate cash ISA. On my arrival at 12.35 pm at their plush reception there were two customer service assistants behind a long desk set out for around six people. In other parts of the reception there were two or three other staff at computers dealing with other customers. The queue to see the CSA's was already 12 people strong ahead of me.

I waited patiently and was seen at 12.45 and explained the reason for my visit. The CSA said there was no-way I could get an appointment today(!) as the ISA is so popular and they are having so many people go into the bank to open one. I asked how do I book an appointment? He said they don't have a booking system. I politely expressed my frustration and he said if I waited till 4 or 5 pm I may be able to see someone. I made two comments to him. One, that the CSA service desk was clearly under-resourced (not his fault [and a lunchtime visit should be no excuse - it's the busiest time of the day for customers]), and secondly it should be made clear on the Metro Bank website of the waiting times to see a member of staff to open an account, and that they don't have a booking system.

A total waste of my time!

la531983

So how do you book an appointment then? What was the answer?

MattMattMattUK

It is not 100% clear, but it does appear that if you already have a Metro account, you can open this account online as well rather than needing to physically attend a branch, but I could be wrong. 

Albermarle

Why do Metro Bank make applying for their top rated fixed ISA so difficult? — MoneySavingExpert Forum

friolento

Metro Bank would yield £1,022 on £20,000 after 12 months. Your next best ISAs £1,018 and £1,016 respectively. Both of these can be opened online in minutes. I would opt for the Zopa one as I know and like their app.

auser99

MattMattMattUK said:

It is not 100% clear, but it does appear that if you already have a Metro account, you can open this account online as well rather than needing to physically attend a branch, but I could be wrong. 

Absolutely wrong unfortunately.
They have specifically made this ISA very difficult to get hold of for anyone. 

The top of market easy access account you could at least apply for through the app (though oddly not through the website), but the ISA, you have to go early and hope you get in, but expect to be told to come back later, or another day.

BODHISATTVA_2

Thanks for the replies. No appointment schedule is available. Just wait all day and if you're lucky you may get to open one.

Looks like I'll be going elsewhere...

boingy

Yep. Vote with your feet.

VXman

Similar experience

See my thread here
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/80431907#Comment_80431907

I gave up and went to Virgin instead. 

VXman

BODHISATTVA_2 said:

Thanks for the replies. No appointment schedule is available. Just wait all day and if you're lucky you may get to open one.

Looks like I'll be going elsewhere...

Mine could make an appointment but only on the day. they have a certain number available per day. you need to go in early to book an appointment.

mrkds

friolento said:

Metro Bank would yield £1,022 on £20,000 after 12 months. Your next best ISAs £1,018 and £1,016 respectively. Both of these can be opened online in minutes. I would opt for the Zopa one as I know and like their app.

This is my view. I also recently opened Metro's ISA in branch but found you can't make payments in their app, you can only do it over the phone, which is a dealbreaker for me. I also found the Metro app to be quite buggy in other ways. I'd go for Zopa over Metro for this reason. Happily trade an odd 0.1% interest for a better user experience.