Is there a decent, reliable bank out there?

Joe 90 · 11-12-2010, 16:57

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.

Kitten · 11-12-2010, 18:15

As said on twitter - First Direct. Consistently good and sensible banking. No complaints.

Lozza · 11-12-2010, 18:58

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.

Kitten · 11-12-2010, 20:51

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.

Lozza · 11-12-2010, 22:26

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.

Jingo · 11-12-2010, 23:26

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.

Steeps · 12-12-2010, 00:37

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.

11-12-2010, 16:57	#1
Joe 90 Absinthe Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Chester Posts: 2,345	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? __________________ 360 Blog \| Join GiffGaff \| Twitter

11-12-2010, 17:01	#2
Justsomebloke The Night Worker Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 5,228	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. __________________

11-12-2010, 18:15	#3
Kitten Spinky-Spank Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: 668. The Neighbour of the Beast Posts: 11,226	As said on twitter - First Direct. Consistently good and sensible banking. No complaints. __________________ "You only get one life. There's no God, no rules, except for those you accept or create for yourself. Then once it's over... it's over. Dreamless sleep for ever and ever. So why not be happy while you're here?" Nate Fisher

11-12-2010, 20:32	#5
leowyatt Chef extraordinaire Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Infinite Loop Posts: 11,143	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. __________________ "Dr Sheldon Cooper FTW!"

11-12-2010, 20:51	#6
Kitten Spinky-Spank Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: 668. The Neighbour of the Beast Posts: 11,226	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. __________________ "You only get one life. There's no God, no rules, except for those you accept or create for yourself. Then once it's over... it's over. Dreamless sleep for ever and ever. So why not be happy while you're here?" Nate Fisher

11-12-2010, 18:58	#4
Lozza Appreciates the very fine things in life Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Simplicity Posts: 457	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

11-12-2010, 22:26	#7
Lozza Appreciates the very fine things in life Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Simplicity Posts: 457	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!

11-12-2010, 23:23	#8
Pumpkinstew Absinthe Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Mostly Oxford, Sometimes Bristol Posts: 1,156	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. __________________ Get old, or die tryin' PSTEWREVIEWS - Chunks of Meaty Reviews, Mixed with Your Five a Day of News, Comment and Opinion, Floating in a Broth of Suspect Grammar and Seasoned Liberally with Mixed Metaphor. Tasty.

11-12-2010, 23:26	#9
Jingo Smother me in chocolate and eat flapjacks with it! Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: North Somerset Posts: 1,854	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. __________________

12-12-2010, 00:37	#10
Steeps Long Island Iced Tea Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bedfordshire Posts: 143	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. __________________