I've had enough of HSBC.

 

Today the cal centre bloke (in India) took 20 minutes to tell me I had to go to my branch.

 

Drove across town to my branch, explained what I wanted and they said 'Call the call centre'.

 

I told them I wanted to close my account. THe woman said 'Theres only me here so you cant'.

 

They've made lots of mistakes recently and I've lost confidence in them.

 

Can anyone recomend a bank - preferably one that'll do all the work, change all my standing orders / direct debits etc. I'm thinking the Halifax (always liked that Howard with his big swan).

 

Any recommendations or views on the Halifax?

The Man on TV says Natwest is your answer ;)

Don't go to Woolwich or Barclays then,,I have just offshored the helpdesk...hahaha

Halifax, everythin is nice and simple, and proper British accents on the help lines ;)

 

I went into HSBC once to do a transfer. Is there any desks? is there fook! Just a bunch of people standing about. It was weird. The guy was pretty helpful tho lol

Halifax is ok. HSBC closed my account without me knowing once because I was not using it enough even though I still had money in their. I wrote a letter to the Bank Manager and he sent me £25 hush money as well as what was in my account.

he sent me £25 hush money as well as what was in my account.

 

I think you have to give him that £25 back now lol

I would recommend HSBC :D never had a problem in 20 years.

Nat west have given me no problems for over 8 years now but I have heard of people being dissapointed with them? Must be different from branch to branch. But I have banked with all the major high street banks and second IMO to Nat West are Royal Bank of Scotland.

I would recommend natwest actually, use them for business banking,

I'll second the HALIFAX, moved all my accounts there two months ago they did it all DD and payments all you have to do is sign one form. Good service I say. There Online banking is a bit pants but it's getting a makeover soon I was told.

Why must it be a bank mate ??

 

Closed my Royal Bank Of Scotland account due to it being totally unreasonable and moved the lot to the Abbey, Building Society.

 

They do all my Direct Debits, Mortgage, Switch card etc etc.

Even do a split account. When the wages go in, a set amount is automatically transferred from my Current Account to my Savings Account.

You can do it with t`internet and alter amounts as and when. Both accounts are available through the hole in the wall machines at the touch of a button. Just a thought.

Alan.........

Abbey

First Direct, part of HSBC but British call centre, been with them nearly 20 years from when they first started up and never had a problem.

Avoid Natwest like the plague, thats my 0.02$

1st Direct - been amazing & very helpful :)

Would recommend nationwide. Stay well away from abbey, bunch of twocers :xxx: their charges are ridiculous!

Halifax is ok. HSBC closed my account without me knowing once because I was not using it enough even though I still had money in their. I wrote a letter to the Bank Manager and he sent me £25 hush money as well as what was in my account.

£25? He makes that in about 10 seconds mate, i would have threatened to go to the papers for anything less than a grand ;)

Ive used Halifax since 1991 No real problems as such. The odd hick up here and there but generally good ;)

my top tip is to join a commercial/business bank as a sole trader you will get free banking for 6-12 months with most and have dedicated UK staff...this should give all the features of a personal bank account and maybe more...flat rate fees usually run @£10 per month thereafter...worth every penny...personal banking IMHO sucks because its free basically...and you get what you pay for...ie nothing...:)

Alliance & Leicester, ve had an account with them for years, never let me down, staff always helpful.

 

Also got an account with Woolwich, fairly good customer service, but thats about it.

 

Ive heard nothing but good things about first direct thou!

 

 

Come'on down, the choice is yours :D

lloyds tsb i find are good was with halifax for years and switched to their current account now i was paying in towards 2k a month and they gave me........£50 overdraft and would not increase the limit went to lloyds they gave me £350 overdraft

First Direct, part of HSBC but British call centre, been with them nearly 20 years from when they first started up and never had a problem.

 

Agree here too :bow:

 

I can't praise them enough. A girl at work used to bank with HSBC and switched to First Direct on my recommendation and is thoroughly chuffed.

 

Natwest are a bunch on c*nts - Julia banked with them and and they are shite. So are Lloyds.

 

BTW that Natwest advert where the old lady's bank is now a trendy wine bar - load of b0ll0x. Apparently more former branches of Natwest have been turned into pubs than any other bank!! :D

 

Richard :smw: