Contacting your bank

rsbright

Does anyone out there have an account with a bank that lets you call your branch direct without going through a call centre?

skyrider007

I am with HSBC and when I asked to speak with the manager they will transfer my call to the branch and most of the time the manager himself will answer your call.

annettetabs

Natwest - I can call my own branch direct :j

Scousebird_2

annettetabs wrote: »

Natwest - I can call my own branch direct :j

sometimes you get the support teams at the contact centre who answer for the branch if the branch are not taking calls. They are an extension to the branch but because RBS call centres/Natwest call centres are in the uk-you are none the wiser.

Kavanne

Scousebird wrote: »

sometimes you get the support teams at the contact centre who answer for the branch if the branch are not taking calls. They are an extension to the branch but because RBS call centres/Natwest call centres are in the uk-you are none the wiser.

Would you rather NO ONE answered the phone? If no one is available in the branch, yes you are put through to the support team. You can request for someone from the branch to call you back though if you really want.

Scousebird_2

Im quite happy to speak to anyone as long as they deal with my query-anyone whether they are a contact centre or a branch can help with peoples banking needs and I don't see why Natwest use the fact that you can speak to your branch direct as a marketing tool when it's not always the case. It makes no difference who you speak to really. My bank has call centes in offshore and I find them very competent so my point was, I really don't mind who I speak to, as long as my query is dealt with. I am not desperate to speak to my branch direct as they can do exactly the same as a central centre-in fact sometimes, they can do more as branches often have to refer things to central units for authorisation eg-Loan referrals or referred applications etc.

annettetabs

Scousebird wrote: »

Im quite happy to speak to anyone as long as they deal with my query-anyone whether they are a contact centre or a branch can help with peoples banking needs and I don't see why Natwest use the fact that you can speak to your branch direct as a marketing tool when it's not always the case. It makes no difference who you speak to really. My bank has call centes in offshore and I find them very competent so my point was, I really don't mind who I speak to, as long as my query is dealt with. I am not desperate to speak to my branch direct as they can do exactly the same as a central centre-in fact sometimes, they can do more as branches often have to refer things to central units for authorisation eg-Loan referrals or referred applications etc.

I actually use Natwest Actionline for most of my queries - and I have never "touch wood" had any trouble with them actioning any of my requests, in fact they are more than helpful. I have only had to contact my branch direct twice and I did get through to the person I needed to speak to almost immediately, however, they couldn't give me an answer to my question and was directed back to Actionline. I am not really bothered whether I can speak direct to my branch or not. As long as i can speak to someone preferably in the UK and can get an answer i'm happy. I am also quite lucky as I can get to my branch within 10 mins if I really need to.

cifpower

My Halifax branch manager gave me a card so I can call the branch direct but I have never had to because the online and telephone banking are excellent.

Bungarm2001

The manager at the branch where I opened my Alliance and Leicester account gave me his direct phone munber, but I've never used it. It's just nice to know it's there IF I ever did need it.

olly300

I've found with a certain building society their customer service staff over the telephone are much nicer and know more than the staff at the branch.

gt94sss2

rsbright wrote: »

Does anyone out there have an account with a bank that lets you call your branch direct without going through a call centre?

It depends on why you want to contact your branch.

In my experience, I have found that quite often branch stuff have less 'power' to do things then those in a call centre - and thus for many things talking to a call centre is actually better for you.

Alternatively, First Direct is heavily recommended and calling their call centre is basically the same as calling a branch.

Regards
Sunil