Which banks have these features?

Miles86

I've become increasingly annoyed with HSBC recently as a current account provider.

In particular the end of Secure Messages - these useless new chat systems where the customer ends up wasting hours waiting for a response from a series of staff members who don't know what you're talking about are infuriating.

Added to the constant tinkering with the App, the latest farce being that their Balance Forecast now can't be turned off, and also can't cope with the fact I am paid very 4 weeks and I've reached the end of my tether.

So can anyone recommend a current account provider who allows you to send a one off message, rather than insisting on a chat function? And for the win, doesn't have functions which are incompatible with 4 weekly pay??

Many thanks!

eastcorkram

I use HSBC app a lot (as well as others). I've never even seen a balance forecast feature. 

IOWJJBTM2025

I have been with Nationwide for the last year and they actually have branches that you can walk into and talk to someone - even on Saturday mornings. Banking online app works well also.

eastcorkram

eastcorkram said:

I use HSBC app a lot (as well as others). I've never even seen a balance forecast feature. 

Ah......I've just looked, and it's there alright. I'm not going to activate now though!

Miles86

eastcorkram said:

eastcorkram said:

I use HSBC app a lot (as well as others). I've never even seen a balance forecast feature. 

Ah......I've just looked, and it's there alright. I'm not going to activate now though!

They tell me as part of their "enhancements" you now can't turn it off, and so beware of your next app update!

j.p

I got good results with Natwest chats. Replies are slow, but you can ask a question or leave an instruction and come back to it 2-3 hours later, on the same or a different device, and check the replies.

Most times by the time I checked the replies they had got things done. If not, it's just a matter of confirming I wanted a certain thing done, Yes or No, and it'll be done next time around. Worked well so far.

For this you have to go past the AI agent first - just ask to speak to a human. What I said above only applies to human help. The initial AI help can only answer simple questions or point us in some direction.

gt94sss2

Most banks have removed the option to allow customers to send secure messages.

This includes Lloyds/Halifax, NatWest
 and Nationwide among others.

The advantage that HSBC still has is that its chat facility is much quicker and responsive than the others in my experience.

mta999

confederated said:

NatWest and RBS have an over-60s phone number where you get straight through to a very helpful person in a minute or two. It is just as good as First Direct in that respect. I suspect most forum members on here are over 60 and thus eligible.

could you let me know what that Natwest number is please

gt94sss2

mta999 said:

confederated said:

NatWest and RBS have an over-60s phone number where you get straight through to a very helpful person in a minute or two. It is just as good as First Direct in that respect. I suspect most forum members on here are over 60 and thus eligible.

could you let me know what that Natwest number is please

0800 051 4176

Miles86

confederated said:

NatWest and RBS have an over-60s phone number where you get straight through to a very helpful person in a minute or two. It is just as good as First Direct in that respect. I suspect most forum members on here are over 60 and thus eligible.

Amazing. So NatWest think you can have good service if you are old enough? Age discrimination or what?!

Stuart_W

If you want to stick to secure message rather than chatbot shenanigans, the Co-op Bank is probably a safe bet - to pay cheques in you use a freepost address rather than scan them in so I don't think they'll be removing things like the secure message option or telephone banking anytime soon! I imagine secure message works for them as they can leisurely take a day or two to reply, but at least in my experience it's sorted with the reply. Not to mention balance forecasting which I can't ever see being a thing for them, and 4 weekly SOs aren't a problem either, but I'm surprised they are for any bank.