Bank or Building Society?

Digital_Payback

WillPS said:

username said:

WillPS said:

username said:

I would leave TSB for one of the big four clearing banks (that is HSBC UK, Lloyds, Natwest and Barclays) if you need to pay in cash and access to a branch network or the post office. 

I can't see what difference being a clearing bank makes to ability to deposit cash in a branch or Post Office. 

It's based upon three aspects, my experience in paying in cash at the counter at the big four over the years, the fact that the PO will accept cash/cheque deposits and withdrawals for the big four universally and also that they have a branch network should the OP want to visit one. Yes I get it's a sweeping recommendation.

Ultimately the OP might want some options that will best fit with their requirements and allow them to bank as the so wish - in person,a making cash deposits to a person at the counter.

Not much point recommending routes that will have have restrictions - Nationwide don't allow cash deposits at the PO, Metro bank have no access agreement with the PO for personal clients and are in certain locations only, etc. Plus for the latter, they don't seem to be in a good place at all, hacking off everything that maybe made it once attractive.

So rather than 'go for a big clearing bank' perhaps more astute advice would be 'go for a brand with a useful branch network and ability to do the full range of Post Office services', or in other word any current account except those from Nationwide, Metro or the app-based banks - which (depending where you need branches) would include TSB.

By the way - Metro do allow Post Office deposits, just not withdrawals or balance enquiries: https://www.postoffice.co.uk/metro-bank
Conversely Nationwide allow withdrawals and balance enquiries, just not deposits.

AFAIK, Metro bank only offer Post Office banking to business customers and charge £1 for every £100 deposited.