Recommend a decent premier/private bank?

Night-owl_6

HC wrote: »

I believe I might have seen the thread, now you remind me. I recall the bit about them ordering the card 5 times.

What a frustrating situation. I can understand that you wouldn't touch them with a barge pole from now on.

Impossible for someone who's looking for a bank to know whether to go with them - two such conflicting experiences. Same with so many organisations, I suppose.

Who did you go with in the end?

A&L although a good bank have been let down, I have found the best bank to be RBS, no problems at all.
I wouldnt mind if Natwset cared to look into the problem and sorted it but no one seems to want to or know why I havent received anything.
I wouldnt mind using there bank however the way they have operated to this I hate to think if I had aproblem with money in the account:eek: how they would deal with it.
One down point on A&L there seems to be very few branchs around

HC_2

Night-owl wrote: »

A&L although a good bank have been let down, I have found the best bank to be RBS, no problems at all.
I wouldnt mind if Natwset cared to look into the problem and sorted it but no one seems to want to or know why I havent received anything.
I wouldnt mind using there bank however the way they have operated to this I hate to think if I had aproblem with money in the account:eek: how they would deal with it.
One down point on A&L there seems to be very few branchs around

One thing I don't like about NatWest is the interest rate - something like 0.0000000001%.

There are banks which give quite a decent rate for current accounts. Although our savings are elsewhere (we are a good MSE couple, of course!) we do keep £1000, as a 'buffer', in our current account at all times, for emergencies.

I know we should change banks for this reason alone, but the great service we get from NatWest discourages me - as well as the hassle of moving.

Night-owl_6

HC wrote: »

One thing I don't like about NatWest is the interest rate - something like 0.0000000001%.

There are banks which give quite a decent rate for current accounts. Although our savings are elsewhere (we are a good MSE couple, of course!) we do keep £1000, as a 'buffer', in our current account at all times, for emergencies.

I know we should change banks for this reason alone, but the great service we get from NatWest discourages me - as well as the hassle of moving.

I really have to say, I have been with most high street banks over the years and the best one I have ever come across is the Royal Bank of Scotland, the staff are always to pleased to help, advise you best they can and they have high security, you even have to use your PIN to make a deposit of any kind.
I would recommend to you there IPCA, Intrest paying current account offers 18% APR on balances over £1000.

ShelfStacker_3

neil9313 wrote: »

Its First Direct, outstanding Bank :T its part ot HSBC but better rates, you may even get £100 pound for opening Acct! Your salary needs to be £24, 000 for free banking! But you can just move money about! Again outstanding bank!

First Direct most certainly don't have better rates than HSBC! Their cash ISA only pays 5.75%, whereas HSBC's is 6.25%, putting it near the top of the table. I won't bother mentioning HSBC's 0.10% on the Bank Account, considering that FD don't pay interest on current accounts anyway...

Also, FD banking is free for the first 6 months or if you have one of their other products (like a credit card or whatever).

Night-owl_6

ShelfStacker wrote: »

First Direct most certainly don't have better rates than HSBC! Their cash ISA only pays 5.75%, whereas HSBC's is 6.25%, putting it near the top of the table. I won't bother mentioning HSBC's 0.10% on the Bank Account, considering that FD don't pay interest on current accounts anyway...

Also, FD banking is free for the first 6 months or if you have one of their other products (like a credit card or whatever).

How much does FD charge after 6 months for banking???!!!

neil9313

ShelfStacker wrote: »

First Direct most certainly don't have better rates than HSBC! Their cash ISA only pays 5.75%, whereas HSBC's is 6.25%, putting it near the top of the table. I won't bother mentioning HSBC's 0.10% on the Bank Account, considering that FD don't pay interest on current accounts anyway...

Also, FD banking is free for the first 6 months or if you have one of their other products (like a credit card or whatever).

You are right re the rates, sorry i have an offset mortgage with them so my rates are going to be better! still recomend the 1st account though for service , and i dont think you pay after 6 months! But i have been with them from nearly the start!

skyrider007

You just need to keep an online savings account (£1 will do) open or have a CC with First Direct to avoid being charged monthly fee (something like £10).

isofa

I've been with TSB, which then became Lloyds TSB for tens of years, and although I've had one or two problems, as soon as I've complained, it's been sorted out. I'm a good customer, all my family and business banked with them, so I have a bit of leverage if anything goes wrong, and I certainly don't stand for being messed about by banks!

Personally, I'd not bank with Barclays again, was very unimpressed years ago with the service.

But the one I'd not use even if they were the only bank in the World is Abbey, I've never been treated so badly by any bank or even a shop when compared with Abbey. I shut all my accounts with them recently due to atrocious service and incredible rudeness from staff, (including upsetting a recently bereaved relative). There are many threads here and articles in the press regarding their shoddy service and lack of response to complaints..

But the best service and quality by miles is from Skipton, I couldn't recommend them enough, very professional, wish I could use them more for things.

rathernot

Don't even get me started on Barclays.

So far Cater Allen at still looking the best bet, no frills as such, just apparently decent without requiring me to be a millionaire.

storminbalder

I keep saying this. But would seriously recommend Yorkshire/Clydesdale Bank (depending where you live).

Been with Midland/HSBC nearly 20 years. Went to Nationwide for a year (big mistake).

But then been with Yorkshire Bank for 15 months and have found them fantastic. Not the best rates of interest, true. But good old fashioned style banking, which I believe is what the OP wanted.

I am surprised that they get so few mentions either positive or negative here or in the media. Perhaps because they are somewhat smaller than the others. But that in itself I see as an advantage, which is why they are much more personal and traditional in their approach.

I certainly wont be moving.