Which banks have these features?

wmb194

Stuart_W said:

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. 

Chase can do four weekly as well.

EarthBoy

confederated said:

Miles86 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.

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

Amazing. You think offering extra help to certain potentially vulnerable groups of customers is discriminatory? Those most affected by bank closures and the increasing move towards online banking are older customers. I applaud what the NatWest group is doing. Would you prefer they remove the over 60's support numbers? Would it make you feel better?

I'm over 60, but I don't see why I should get a superior service to other customers. 

Barkin

wmb194 said:

Stuart_W said:

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. 

Chase can do four weekly as well.

As can Lloyds - so probably Halifax/BoS too.

gt94sss2

confederated said:
I suspect most forum members on here are over 60

I would be very surprised if this was the case.

Kim_13

confederated said:

Miles86 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.

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

Amazing. You think offering extra help to certain potentially vulnerable groups of customers is discriminatory? Those most affected by bank closures and the increasing move towards online banking are older customers. I applaud what the NatWest group is doing. Would you prefer they remove the over 60's support numbers? Would it make you feel better?

You could go the other way and say that those under 60 (as early retirement is likely 60 these days) have to work, they don't have the time to wait half an hour or whatever it might be on hold. And as we all know, it is sometimes necessary to call again because the first person doesn't understand the problem. If a branch visit is necessary, very few are now open on Saturdays - the one day of the week they would rely on to be able to get to a branch if needed. No one should have to take annual leave to sort out a banking issue. 

Broadly, I agree with such measures - but the simple fact that it is over 60s means that there are vulnerable people to whom the support is unavailable. There are under 60s who are vulnerable just as there are over 60s who are not.

EarthBoy

confederated said:

Kim_13 said:

You could go the other way and say that those under 60 (as early retirement is likely 60 these days) have to work, they don't have the time to wait half an hour or whatever it might be on hold. And as we all know, it is sometimes necessary to call again because the first person doesn't understand the problem. If a branch visit is necessary, very few are now open on Saturdays - the one day of the week they would rely on to be able to get to a branch if needed. No one should have to take annual leave to sort out a banking issue. 

Broadly, I agree with such measures - but the simple fact that it is over 60s means that there are vulnerable people to whom the support is unavailable. There are under 60s who are vulnerable just as there are over 60s who are not.

So you'd like them to withdraw the over-60's helplines? This is the first time I've ever heard of anyone favouring a diminution of service from a bank. I'm flabbergasted! 

Nobody's asking for the helpline to be withdrawn, only that it should be open to all customers, instead of just some of them.

Kim_13

confederated said:

Kim_13 said:

You could go the other way and say that those under 60 (as early retirement is likely 60 these days) have to work, they don't have the time to wait half an hour or whatever it might be on hold. And as we all know, it is sometimes necessary to call again because the first person doesn't understand the problem. If a branch visit is necessary, very few are now open on Saturdays - the one day of the week they would rely on to be able to get to a branch if needed. No one should have to take annual leave to sort out a banking issue. 

Broadly, I agree with such measures - but the simple fact that it is over 60s means that there are vulnerable people to whom the support is unavailable. There are under 60s who are vulnerable just as there are over 60s who are not.

So you'd like them to withdraw the over-60's helplines? This is the first time I've ever heard of anyone favouring a diminution of service from a bank. I'm flabbergasted! 

I thought it was clear from my last sentence that I think there should be a vulnerable customer helpline. Let their circumstances dictate whether they are vulnerable, not their date of birth.

confederated

Kim_13 said:

I thought it was clear from my last sentence that I think there should be a vulnerable customer helpline. Let their circumstances dictate whether they are vulnerable, not their date of birth.

Your post intimated that you disapprove of age-related benefits so my conclusion was that you would rather they not exist. Age and other similar broad categories are often used as a qualifier because they include the most needy in a target demographic, even though some do not need it. It's like offering free school dinners to all children because you know the most needy will be covered. It is pretty normal practice by companies and government agencies and is often less expensive and a lot easier than trying to target a more precise cohort. I still have no idea how you think the over 60's phone line negatively affects other customers. If a company offered extra perks to, say, pregnant women, I can't imagine a scenario where I would be complaining about it. It's bizarre. 

Rob5342

Kim_13 said:

confederated said:

Kim_13 said:

You could go the other way and say that those under 60 (as early retirement is likely 60 these days) have to work, they don't have the time to wait half an hour or whatever it might be on hold. And as we all know, it is sometimes necessary to call again because the first person doesn't understand the problem. If a branch visit is necessary, very few are now open on Saturdays - the one day of the week they would rely on to be able to get to a branch if needed. No one should have to take annual leave to sort out a banking issue. 

Broadly, I agree with such measures - but the simple fact that it is over 60s means that there are vulnerable people to whom the support is unavailable. There are under 60s who are vulnerable just as there are over 60s who are not.

So you'd like them to withdraw the over-60's helplines? This is the first time I've ever heard of anyone favouring a diminution of service from a bank. I'm flabbergasted! 

I thought it was clear from my last sentence that I think there should be a vulnerable customer helpline. Let their circumstances dictate whether they are vulnerable, not their date of birth.

I agree with you. Most over 60s can cope with something as simple as online banking, it's an old very established thing after all, but there are younger people with learning disabilities etc who might need extra support. It's like having over 60s seats on buses instead of seats for anyone with mobility problems. 

Rob5342

I've had a look on their website and they have a banking your way service where you can tell them what support needs you have. That seems to cover everything as far as I can see, I don't see any reason for them to deny phone support to someone that needs it just because they are under 60.