View Full Version : Is there a decent, reliable bank out there?
So, yesterday I found out someone had managed to use my card online & there were 5 payments to play.com of almost £1000 so phoned up the understaffed phone lines of HSBC and got my card cancelled & money refunded.
This is an exceptionally bad time of year not to have access to money! I assumed it'd be simple to walk into a branch on a Saturday and get someone to help me withdraw some cash.
How wrong I was. First branch were understaffed & said even if they had someone to help the most they would give me is £50 - what use is that amount of money!? Second said they have no access to the safe.
Anyway, I'm going on a bit - ended up transferring money to my mums account & going to a cash machine!
Its times like this when without a card I wish I had a second (emergency) account that I keep some money in but never use for online transactions.
The trouble is every time I hear someone talking about their bank its about how bad they are.
Is there a decent bank out there that I could open such an account with?
My mum suggested I open a savings account with Tesco - shes got one and says its pretty good. Its a sad day when you have to go to a supermarket to provide your banking requirements!
Any suggestions?
Justsomebloke
11-12-2010, 17:01
I have a couple of accounts with Nationwide, my own local branch has 2 machines indoors & one outdoors & 5 tills & a separetly manned help desk.
I don't like Q's but happily bank with Nationwide.
As said on twitter - First Direct. Consistently good and sensible banking. No complaints.
I was going to say first direct... however the in branch experience mentioned made me refrain as First direct are part of HSBC and for branch stuff you use HSBC
leowyatt
11-12-2010, 20:32
I only tend to go into a branch if I have to pay anything into my account. When I do that I use the automated machines. I've gone to a HSBC branch to get cash out when my card was canceled.
I think the main problem for you is it being a Saturday. I went in on a Saturday to pay some money in and was told it wouldn't even be touched until Monday morning :( so HSBC hasn't been great but First Direct have been brilliant.
That is true Lozza, but it's all done by First Direct who instruct the HSBC staff on what needs to be done in branch (as I understand it). You do all the arranging and discussing on the phone and only go in the branch if necessary. When you do, it's all already arranged (i.e. the money is there waiting for you if you are withdrawing, and you only need give the passcode & show ID) and if there are any issues, they will speak to them directly via your phone or a branch phone to tell them what to do. Basically, you aren't restricted by the HSBC stupid rules.
That's good to know.. I've been with first direct for ages and have only ever gone into a HSBC to pay in money - not needed to use them for any other reason, even cash withdrawal I just use the machine as I find £500 a day limit is plenty!
Pumpkinstew
11-12-2010, 23:23
I've never had any real issues with Lloyds in the 10+ years I've been with them. After a litany of bad experiences with Barclays the wife has switched to them too and seems happy enough.
Natwest : Branches everywhere, staff who are helpful and failing that- managers who will ensure things get done.
I've used them for personal, joint, business and savings accounts for many years and can't think of a single time I've been inconvenienced. :)
Not had a good experience with any bank, however both Halifax and Natwest have been useful to me when I've had cards canned and I needed to take money out. Often taken money out of Natwest after I've "forgotten" my PIN using a form of ID, and Halifax let me take out 1k to take to another bank after they sent out a new card and cancelled my old one without telling me. They're both still useless but at least I know if I get stuck I can do things in branch.
Blighter
12-12-2010, 03:25
I've been with HSBC since the Abbey annoyed me and have never had an issue with them.
Nationwide. One huge advantage being that they're not a bank but are a building society. That means they're non-profit. Any and all profits feed back into the building society for the next year. Interest rates will tend to be higher too. In general I've found that Nationwide continues to see me and treat me as an individual rather than a number.
I've been with HSBC since the Abbey annoyed me and have never had an issue with them.
Me too. I also have Fraud protection.
BB x
semi-pro waster
12-12-2010, 11:24
I changed to NatWest after Santander/Abbey were useless for me (still don't have a replacement bank card from them although I'd start the process again to get a new one) and they've been fine so far. I'm sure NatWest have their faults but there's lots of branches close to me and they've managed not to annoy me yet so they'll do until I hit a problem they don't sort.
The Nationwide seems like a good idea. I've not had a building society account since The Leeds was taken over by Halifax. I'll have a look into that. Thanks for your input, might have a gander at Natwest but I applied for an account with them online not long ago and after sending back various forms didn't seem to hear anything more from them :/
Natwest : Branches everywhere, staff who are helpful and failing that- managers who will ensure things get done.
I've used them for personal, joint, business and savings accounts for many years and can't think of a single time I've been inconvenienced. :)
Same here. Been with Natwest since I was about 13 and never really had any major problems with them. Having said that, I don't expect too much from banks anyway so maybe my levels of expectation are so low that they'll never let me down no matter what they do :D
Had no trouble withdrawing up to £1,000 over the counter from Lloyds. Did ask lots of questions when I did that, but rightly so. I did have my card with me at the time though which probably helped.
Despite having a generally good experience with them, I do wonder about First Direct given that I do the vast majority of stuff online/over the phone. Nationwide is also an option though they just closed my old account (due to disuse).
Was with Alliance & Leicester who were fab. Unfortunately they are now Santander, who are dire.
I've got a joint account with Santander and this was probably the single most stupid financial decision I've ever made. They are useless. The customers there are all scum, presumably because Santander were the only ones that would give them accounts, the staff are useless and can't resolve any problems in-branch anyway (you have to phone through to telephone banking) and their account opening procedure involved an inordinate amount of unnecessary and pointless jumping through hoops. Their charges are also astronomical.
Savings accounts are all online with various banks that I never have to deal with. Current account is with HSBC who have always been good to me and always resolved problems swiftly and professionally. Not had any fraud problems though, so can't comment on that. My other half usually comments that they aren't as good at Natwest as they are at HSBC, if that's any help :p
Doubt you'd catch the Santander lot doing this...
6rmp-JlsMEY
Shame. ;D
This has come back to haunt me. Saturday morning I got a letter from HSBC saying following their investigation they've come to the conclusion that I authorised the transactions!?! (cheeky gits!)
I started this thread just after getting it...
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.php?t=2998794
Currently HSBC haven't been much help, the team who sent the letter don't work weekends so I was told to expect a phone call between 8 & 10 tonight from them. Play.com have a foreign call centre who were also not a lot of help, told me they'd escalated my issue to the right team & they'd email me. Don't know how much use they'll be.
What do you think I can do to sort this out if the bank simply wont accept the crime? I've got copies of what they've sent me & written a complaint for the financial ombudsman which I'll get in the post tomorrow, but I've also considered going to the police. Seems like the only way to sort it if nobody else will help me :(
BCOBS 5.1.11: (1) 2Where a banking customer denies having authorised a payment, it is for the firm to prove that the payment was authorised.
Source: http://fsahandbook.info/FSA/html/handbook/BCOBS/5/1
In other words, it's up to HSBC to prove you authorised the transaction, and not you to prove that you didn't. If they can't, FSA says you win. Don't let them fob you off with that one.
Brilliant little resource there Mark. Thanks. Lifts a weight of my shoulders!
I've moved the majority of my money & bank details with work. Left a bit for iTunes app purchases(!) but they wont get more of my money until they sort this out!
They didn't call as they told me they would today either. Will call them before I leave work tomorrow and get my ombudsman complaint posted tomorrow. Feel a little uneasy about going to the police, but can't cope with the stress of all this for much longer!
Took some finding did that - I even fixed a Wikipedia page along the way. :)
Princess Griff
24-01-2011, 23:23
I have just left Santander/Abbey as they are useless little poopers. They suck.
Moved to Natwest, who seem to be pretty good so far!!!
Just been trying to get through to their fraud team again & either they keep me on hold & say they can't get through because the fraud team are very busy (is everyone getting robbed!?) or as just occurred, I kept talking to the same guy whilst he phoned other departments.
He just claimed the team I need finish at 5 (at 9 last night I was told it was 6) and also said that 'if they decide to re-open the case' he wasn't sure on the time frame it would take to resolve although it is 'usually 5 working days'.
He didn't mention the £875 pending payment at all when looking at transactions... I think I've just been fed a bunch of lies. Shall have to find some time whilst I'm at work to phone tomorrow!
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