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Am thinking of moving my current account to a different bank. Anyone happy enough with their bank to recommend them? Key for me is online access, and ability to download transactions into a software program.
In reply to The Bantam: I don't think that narrows the field very much, tbh. I use Cahoot, seems OK.
In reply to The Bantam:
Happy with First Direct but don't know if it can do the latter.
> Am thinking of moving my current account to a different bank. Anyone happy enough with their bank to recommend them? Key for me is online access, and ability to download transactions into a software program.
Happy with First Direct but don't know if it can do the latter.
In reply to The Bantam: No problems with Lloyds here but I'd avoid Barclays like the f*cking plague, their irritating pocket calculator thingy for online banking is SUCH a ballache. Shocking customer service too in my experience.
In reply to Rob Exile Ward: Cahoot have been closed to new business for about three years!
In reply to The Bantam: HSBC have also now introduced a stupid little credit card size calculator thingy for logging on online and it is also truly irritating!
In reply to Pauline: The calculator thingy is a pain but it helps with security
In reply to The Bantam: I'd say lloyds is good.. It's vert secure, let's you view direct debits, standing orders etc and should you need an overdraft it let's you set up one and increase should you wish to..
Very happy with the coop bank - and you know your money is not being invested in the arms trade
In reply to The Bantam: I'm also very happy with the Coop bank, not sure about downloading (don't really know what you mean). Very nice people and when I was the victim of phishing fraud (my fault) they were lovely, gave me the money I had lost and were very kind/reassuring. I cannot recomend them highly enough.
In reply to The Bantam: First direct for me. Always been very helpful.
Quick to respond to emails, and nice to have a uk call centre.
Quick to respond to emails, and nice to have a uk call centre.
In reply to The Bantam:
First Direct will work. However, I do use Smile for my day-to-day banking, primarily for their rock-solid ethical policy. Unfortunately for an online bank their website is really not that great.
None of the UK banks are anything compared to the service and website quality I get from my New Zealand account (www.asb.co.nz). But I doubt you want to bank that far offshore
First Direct will work. However, I do use Smile for my day-to-day banking, primarily for their rock-solid ethical policy. Unfortunately for an online bank their website is really not that great.
None of the UK banks are anything compared to the service and website quality I get from my New Zealand account (www.asb.co.nz). But I doubt you want to bank that far offshore
In reply to The Bantam:
I'm with NatWest and have been for years but since owned by RBS they have got sloppy. Yesterday I ordered holiday money online, part of the process is to enter your postcode and the bank will tell you which branch the money will be delivered to. It was going to be delivered to Red Bank Road - great that being as they shut that branch down over a year ago! I went into a branch in the afternoon to get cash as the post office can have my business now and the lady reminded me it was time for my annual review. I politly told her the website story and suggested they get their own stuff in order before advising folks how to do theirs.
It seems RBS infect everything they get their deciving hands on
I'm with NatWest and have been for years but since owned by RBS they have got sloppy. Yesterday I ordered holiday money online, part of the process is to enter your postcode and the bank will tell you which branch the money will be delivered to. It was going to be delivered to Red Bank Road - great that being as they shut that branch down over a year ago! I went into a branch in the afternoon to get cash as the post office can have my business now and the lady reminded me it was time for my annual review. I politly told her the website story and suggested they get their own stuff in order before advising folks how to do theirs.
It seems RBS infect everything they get their deciving hands on
In reply to The Bantam:
First Direct work well for simple transactions and meet your criteria. If you ever want to have an informed discussion with anyone there though, you'll waste your breath.
First Direct work well for simple transactions and meet your criteria. If you ever want to have an informed discussion with anyone there though, you'll waste your breath.
In reply to puppythedog:
Ditto re Smile.
My only (minor complaint) would be perhaps the internet banking a bit, well, basic?
It's dead easy to use (No sodding usernames or funny passwords) but there's nothing to be able to drop up graphs to view my spending patterns etc.
Altho I'm not sure if there's a bank that does that though?
I'd avoid the theiving bastards at Santander like the f*cking plague and I'd also avoid NatWest because everytime Mrs 2pints goes in they're ALWAYS trying to flog her something grrr.
Ditto re Smile.
My only (minor complaint) would be perhaps the internet banking a bit, well, basic?
It's dead easy to use (No sodding usernames or funny passwords) but there's nothing to be able to drop up graphs to view my spending patterns etc.
Altho I'm not sure if there's a bank that does that though?
I'd avoid the theiving bastards at Santander like the f*cking plague and I'd also avoid NatWest because everytime Mrs 2pints goes in they're ALWAYS trying to flog her something grrr.
In reply to The Bantam: I'm with lloyds and I rate them. The internet banking is easy to use and its got the money manager feature which groups your purchases into categories and puts them into charts so you can see how much you're spending on utilities, food, transport and so on. I think you can export your statements as well. The staff are always really friendly and helpful at my branch as well.
In reply to The Bantam:
Been with first direct about 15yrs, can't recommend them highly enough.
Plus if you ever do need to call them, they are all extremely friendly, efficient & professional.
Shouldn't really get goddy about a bank, but had some major problems with one other high street bank & for me, first direct are a million times better!
Been with first direct about 15yrs, can't recommend them highly enough.
Plus if you ever do need to call them, they are all extremely friendly, efficient & professional.
Shouldn't really get goddy about a bank, but had some major problems with one other high street bank & for me, first direct are a million times better!
In reply to The Bantam: Well, I'll give you two to avoid even more than syphalis, Halifax and Santander, seriously, don't even think about it. Customer service run by stoned baboons. Halifax also likes to take money out your account for insurance premiums when you've never requested the insurance.
In reply to The Bantam:
I've just moved my overdraft from the HSBC to the CO-OP.
I've just moved my overdraft from the HSBC to the CO-OP.
In reply to The Bantam: Used NWOB for years never had a problem. Use NW and Lloyds at work and Llyods is by far the worst eg you can only download so many transactions in 1 go whereas with NW you can download stacks and stacks in 1 go.
Both use the Card Reader but it's only for setting up new payee's so it's not really that much hassle - it's very rare that you will need to set up a new payee when you're on holiday.
NW have just improved there system making it quicker but also they have got rid (or increased) the number of payee's - it was 50 but now it is ??
Both use the Card Reader but it's only for setting up new payee's so it's not really that much hassle - it's very rare that you will need to set up a new payee when you're on holiday.
NW have just improved there system making it quicker but also they have got rid (or increased) the number of payee's - it was 50 but now it is ??
In reply to Postmanpat: i'll second the First Direct recommendation - great bank
In reply to The Bantam:
Was with HSBC (9 years). Switched to Co Op about a year ago after being swayed by their ethical marketing. Have since gone back to HSBC as they had by far the best mortgage rates and I wanted everything under one roof. No complaints. Good internet banking. The Advance Account has a good telephone service too.
I like the colour of my debit card too.
Was with HSBC (9 years). Switched to Co Op about a year ago after being swayed by their ethical marketing. Have since gone back to HSBC as they had by far the best mortgage rates and I wanted everything under one roof. No complaints. Good internet banking. The Advance Account has a good telephone service too.
I like the colour of my debit card too.
In reply to The Bantam: I couldn't recommend RBS highly enough, I have had an account with them for over 15 years and they are excellent to deal with and when I have phoned the staff have always been really friendly and helpful. I have had no problems so far with them. Not sure about the downloading thing though but the internet banking is simple to use.
In reply to The Bantam:
I've been with Intelligent Finance for about 6 years, and rate them very highly. Online banking is easy and secure, you can download transactions in a couple of different formats, and the staff are knowledgable and helpful.
Downside is, it's only online. I've had to keep my old Halifax account open for the rare occasions I do need to deposit a cheque or some cash. It's not a major problem for me, but could be for others.
I've been with Intelligent Finance for about 6 years, and rate them very highly. Online banking is easy and secure, you can download transactions in a couple of different formats, and the staff are knowledgable and helpful.
Downside is, it's only online. I've had to keep my old Halifax account open for the rare occasions I do need to deposit a cheque or some cash. It's not a major problem for me, but could be for others.
In reply to The Bantam:
Avoid RBofS (and that probably means Natwest too) like the plague. They changed our offset mortgage terms and conditions so that we could no longer have direct debits coming from our offset account. This makes it much more difficult to maximise our offsetable amount. Not only did they do this, but they cancelled all our direct debits without informing us. When we found out, thankfully in time, they refused to transfer them for us, asked us to manually re-establish all our direct debits and only after we formally complained did they relent. They are also planning to charge us now for use of cash points. Despite the bail out of the RBofS, they passed a small fraction of the BoE cut in the base rate to SVR / offset customers. We haven't benefited much at all from the BoE low interest rates, but the RBofS mortgage adviser we spoke to last advised that we would be as well to fix soon, because they in all likelihood would pass on any rises in BoE interest rates. They are also closing my local branch, despite numerous objections.
Avoid RBofS (and that probably means Natwest too) like the plague. They changed our offset mortgage terms and conditions so that we could no longer have direct debits coming from our offset account. This makes it much more difficult to maximise our offsetable amount. Not only did they do this, but they cancelled all our direct debits without informing us. When we found out, thankfully in time, they refused to transfer them for us, asked us to manually re-establish all our direct debits and only after we formally complained did they relent. They are also planning to charge us now for use of cash points. Despite the bail out of the RBofS, they passed a small fraction of the BoE cut in the base rate to SVR / offset customers. We haven't benefited much at all from the BoE low interest rates, but the RBofS mortgage adviser we spoke to last advised that we would be as well to fix soon, because they in all likelihood would pass on any rises in BoE interest rates. They are also closing my local branch, despite numerous objections.
In reply to puppythedog:
Me too they've always been very good since I've been with them (as a Smile account holder), the best thing for me is that using branch is very easy as it always virtually empty so I rarely have to spend my lunch hour queueing as I did when I banked with Barclays
Jason
Me too they've always been very good since I've been with them (as a Smile account holder), the best thing for me is that using branch is very easy as it always virtually empty so I rarely have to spend my lunch hour queueing as I did when I banked with Barclays
Jason
In reply to Jimbo W:
And I should add. While paying in some cheques THEY asked if I would like to discuss my mortgage arrangements. I agreed as I was thinking of doing this anyway. They arranged a lunch time meeting in my nearest branch to work. When I turned up the branch was shut / locked. I could see people inside and I knocked. They said they were closed for lunch (not advertised to be but nevertheless), but let me in when I told them I had a prearranged meeting with and advisor there. They went to their computer and then told me they had no record of a meeting. I thought I must have got it wrong despite what I'd written in my diary and went to the next nearest RBofS, 20mins walk. They were open, and took my card, and said, yes I did have a meeting scheduled for the branch I'd just been at, and that they must have screwed up, the non-local advisor thinking the branch was closed and leaving too!! So they closed when they shouldn't have, they left one of their own advisor to make a trip back to wherever he came from, and they lied to me all in the space of a few minutes. Ridiculous!!
And I should add. While paying in some cheques THEY asked if I would like to discuss my mortgage arrangements. I agreed as I was thinking of doing this anyway. They arranged a lunch time meeting in my nearest branch to work. When I turned up the branch was shut / locked. I could see people inside and I knocked. They said they were closed for lunch (not advertised to be but nevertheless), but let me in when I told them I had a prearranged meeting with and advisor there. They went to their computer and then told me they had no record of a meeting. I thought I must have got it wrong despite what I'd written in my diary and went to the next nearest RBofS, 20mins walk. They were open, and took my card, and said, yes I did have a meeting scheduled for the branch I'd just been at, and that they must have screwed up, the non-local advisor thinking the branch was closed and leaving too!! So they closed when they shouldn't have, they left one of their own advisor to make a trip back to wherever he came from, and they lied to me all in the space of a few minutes. Ridiculous!!
In reply to The Bantam:
Happy enough with Lloyds as my main bank and Halifax for some savings.
Lloyds has fairly good online banking, with csv and a couple of propriety money management formats (i think havent checked recently) downloads plus an ok online management tool. Although i am not overly happy that they lack dual factor authentication the mobile alerts do seem to work.
They have both given up trying to sell me random crap as well which is always a bonus.
Happy enough with Lloyds as my main bank and Halifax for some savings.
Lloyds has fairly good online banking, with csv and a couple of propriety money management formats (i think havent checked recently) downloads plus an ok online management tool. Although i am not overly happy that they lack dual factor authentication the mobile alerts do seem to work.
They have both given up trying to sell me random crap as well which is always a bonus.
In reply to The Bantam:
Use the co-op for personal and business banking and am very happy with them.
Use the co-op for personal and business banking and am very happy with them.
In reply to Mots d'Invers:
I've been with IF for several years as well, no complaints. I don't think they're open for new current account business though. Ref the cheques, before I moved to 10 minutes bike ride from my local HBOS branch (joint account there) I used to just post them the cheque, which given it normally takes me days to get round to going to a branch to deposit cheques wasn't a great hardship.
> (In reply to The Bantam)
> I've been with Intelligent Finance for about 6 years, and rate them very highly. Online banking is easy and secure, you can download transactions in a couple of different formats, and the staff are knowledgable and helpful.
>
> Downside is, it's only online. I've had to keep my old Halifax account open for the rare occasions I do need to deposit a cheque or some cash. It's not a major problem for me, but could be for others.
> I've been with Intelligent Finance for about 6 years, and rate them very highly. Online banking is easy and secure, you can download transactions in a couple of different formats, and the staff are knowledgable and helpful.
>
> Downside is, it's only online. I've had to keep my old Halifax account open for the rare occasions I do need to deposit a cheque or some cash. It's not a major problem for me, but could be for others.
I've been with IF for several years as well, no complaints. I don't think they're open for new current account business though. Ref the cheques, before I moved to 10 minutes bike ride from my local HBOS branch (joint account there) I used to just post them the cheque, which given it normally takes me days to get round to going to a branch to deposit cheques wasn't a great hardship.
In reply to chris j: Got whacked by Nationwide. Evening before travelling (last minute as I needed medical advice first) I found that my card had been stopped. No warning! Security thing, I may have been to a dodgy shop. The only transaction in the time frame was a railway station. Watch out for this, when it happens next time, it could be at a filling station.
In reply to The Bantam:
I think you will find that Coutts and Co; Adam and Company; C Hoare and Co or Abbuthnot Lathamare all able to provide an excellent tailor made banking service for your wealth management
I think you will find that Coutts and Co; Adam and Company; C Hoare and Co or Abbuthnot Lathamare all able to provide an excellent tailor made banking service for your wealth management
In reply to The Bantam: Don't go near anything with Santander on it ... particularly Cahoot.
Since Santander took over they have:
* Rolled back internal databases which have resulted in new cards being de-activated for use ... but been unable to identify which cards or for how long
* Changed their call centre hours from 24x7 to 12x5 (great for an online only bank) ... this also includes their card de-activation number (Lost or stolen card? Well wait until Monday)
* Had numerous issues with their website - see http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=cahoot+website+down
Wouldn't touch 'em with yours.
Since Santander took over they have:
* Rolled back internal databases which have resulted in new cards being de-activated for use ... but been unable to identify which cards or for how long
* Changed their call centre hours from 24x7 to 12x5 (great for an online only bank) ... this also includes their card de-activation number (Lost or stolen card? Well wait until Monday)
* Had numerous issues with their website - see http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=cahoot+website+down
Wouldn't touch 'em with yours.
In reply to The Bantam: smile (online branch of co-op)has always been superb and Ive been with them since they first started. Brilliant callcentre (based in Stockport Pyramid)rather than some indian thing,cash back on credit card 1/2% I think eg I run up a cc bill of £1000 one month and clear it, Smile pay me £5.00. The only bad thing I can think of at the mo is their interest rates are woefully low. I use current account and credit card and keep savings and ISA elsewhere when at one time I had a full suite of accounts with Smile. Very ethical as well
In reply to All:
Thanks all - really helpful. I think First Direct seems to have the most votes, and I think came pretty well in some survey I read. I have an IFA for the complicated stuff so just want somewhere to keep my pennies day-to-day - and download the transactions so I can get an idea of how much I am spending in the apple store...
Was with HSBC years ago and they were very inflexible - got offer free premier banking with them this time, but they couldn't tell me stuff that I was reading from their own website front page so didn't inspire confidence (I mentioned that they owned First Direct and I got an audible shrug).
The cheque thing is something I am used to currently - I actually prefer lobbing them in an envelope and posting them rather than having to plan a visit to a branch.
Thanks all - really helpful. I think First Direct seems to have the most votes, and I think came pretty well in some survey I read. I have an IFA for the complicated stuff so just want somewhere to keep my pennies day-to-day - and download the transactions so I can get an idea of how much I am spending in the apple store...
Was with HSBC years ago and they were very inflexible - got offer free premier banking with them this time, but they couldn't tell me stuff that I was reading from their own website front page so didn't inspire confidence (I mentioned that they owned First Direct and I got an audible shrug).
The cheque thing is something I am used to currently - I actually prefer lobbing them in an envelope and posting them rather than having to plan a visit to a branch.
In reply to The Bantam:
If you're paying in monthly salary >£1,500/month you get £100 free:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/compare-best-bank-accounts
> (In reply to All)
>
> Thanks all - really helpful. I think First Direct seems to have the most votes, and I think came pretty well in some survey I read.
>
> Thanks all - really helpful. I think First Direct seems to have the most votes, and I think came pretty well in some survey I read.
If you're paying in monthly salary >£1,500/month you get £100 free:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/compare-best-bank-accounts
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