Avoid Metro Bank if you don’t live near a branch

jaybeetoo

Metro Bank claim to offer online accounts.  I have discovered this is not completely true. 

There was a problem with my online account.  Metro Bank insisted I went into a branch even though it was an hour away.  Thank goodness I didn’t live in the Outer Hebrides or the Isle of Wight or I might never have got my money back!

subjecttocontract

Metro Bank are one of the few banks that are planning to open more branches whilst many others are closing theirs.

Gary1984

I used to do my business baking with Metro. Whilst never having to visit a branch, I did find that some things such as transfers to TransferWise for FX transactions were quite onerous, with me needing to phone them, wait in a queue and then wait for a different team to call me back to authorise.

I eventually switched to Starling and everything has become remarkably easier and can be done via their app with no fuss. If you don't plan on ever visiting a branch I'd recommend them.

mrkds

I opened a flexible ISA with them a few weeks ago and then closed it the next day when I found out you can't make withdrawls in their app. I thought that would be a pretty basic function to carry out in an app but not for Metro Bank.

Aidanmc

I tried to open an account with them a few weeks ago. I was unable to get past the address verification even though i was entering it exactly same as on my id.

Had an email from them today saying its been 15days and i can try again! No thanks.....

To visit a branch would involve a plane/boat ride!

subjecttocontract

Just to add some balance.....we've opened 2 accounts with Metro recently. It was easy & straightforward and are now getting a great rate.

Fingerbobs

subjecttocontract said:

Metro Bank are one of the few banks that are planning to open more branches whilst many others are closing theirs.

They're also the only bank whose branches are open at times when people with jobs are able to go into them. 

Although disappointingly I see they've now moved their daily closing time to 6pm. When they first opened, branches were open until 10pm. Then they changed to 8pm. I see they're gradually turning into a normal bank

subjecttocontract

Fingerbobs said:

subjecttocontract said:

Metro Bank are one of the few banks that are planning to open more branches whilst many others are closing theirs.

They're also the only bank whose branches are open at times when people with jobs are able to go into them. 

Although disappointingly I see they've now moved their daily closing time to 6pm. When they first opened, branches were open until 10pm. Then they changed to 8pm. I see they're gradually turning into a normal bank

I agree but It's no less than I would expect given their poor historical performance.....recently bailed out, new owners, a need to increase profitability & share price & attract more investment. They need to make a profit or there is no point in them existing.

boingy

I can't see that Metro are going to be able to expand or even sustain a branch network in the medium to long term. They just haven't realised it yet!

abc.xyz

subjecttocontract said:

Metro Bank are one of the few banks that are planning to open more branches whilst many others are closing theirs.

A friend of mine who works in one of the existing branches tells me some staff are about to be laid off

dlevene

Opening new branches, cutting back hours, offering leading accounts, make you go into branch to open an ISA and can't book an appointment, buggy application processes, limited app/web functionality, long phone waits...

They're all over the place.

I signed up for a Metro current account when they first launched for the travel benefits and stopped using it when they withdrew them. Recently thought I'd give them a go for their ISA. Having gone through a nightmare to open it I'm going to keep it but as soon as it's overtaken I'm gone, and I won't be back!