Changing Bank

Another happy Halifax customer here. Our branch staff are lovely and helpful and they don’t all change every week. I can do most things online and if I have any form of query you get a U.K. based person on the end of the phone.
We also have a credit card from them as they do not charge for any foreign currency transactions.
I have found a proper Building Society to be the best when it comes to interest rates - the one I use is modernised old fashioned and you need to go up to the counter to do your business.

I havent any personal experience with Handelsbanken, they are Swedish, and are very popular here in Sweden. At present they are the only Bank where you can get cash, every other Bank around just have machines, and not many people to help you.

I agree it depends on your local access.

After 30yrs, I ended up with TSB when Lloyds TSB split, and was irritated. However my local TSB branch is so lovely, I can highly recommend the bank.

My late mother in law was with Danske bank and when she died my husband had a hell of a time dealing with them,anyone else find this bank difficult to deal with?

I moved all of accounts to Nationwide and we’ve been satisfied with their
service.

TSB gets my vote - smiley, friendly, helpful staff.

when my father passed away back in June I had terrible problems with HSBC - everything was a hassle as we were given wrong information all the time. My brother, sister and myself all gave our names/addresses when we went in to notify them (I'm the executor) for payment once everything cleared, my sister went in with the funeral bill which they said they would pay - because she wasn't the executor, even though her name was already on the list, they wouldn't do it without me or the copy of the will, I went back with her just said I was the executor and they did it then. When I actually closed the account for transfer they wouldn't split the payment it had to go into my account, said it would take 2 days - 10 days later still no money so I went back in absolutely fuming - they said the girl shouldn't have told me that as it takes 10 days. After complaining about everything I had the money 10 minutes later in my bank but no compensation for the hassle.

I have since been executor for a friend of mine - no hassle whatsoever with the other 3 banks, everything done in minutes.

Three of our banks have closed in the past year. I have to go to another town if I need to go into the branch

I would say Nationwide. When I joined the person who recommended me got £100 + so did I. Lovely!
Apart from that they have always been pleasant + efficient when I use the branch. I also use their app which is easy to use + you can have fingerprint recognition if you want for extra security.

Rosina, snap! We have just moved to Nationwide from the coop and for the same reason. We've been very happy with the change so far. I suppose time will tell.

I would recommend First Direct very strongly. I love how you speak to a trained and helpful member of staff when you ring and there is a charm and pleasantness with each transaction. It makes such a difference. We had occasion in the last couple of years to have some interaction with Barclays due to an automatic transfer of some funds over which we had no choice. It was a disaster, our phone calls were handled off shore and by such inefficient personnel that all it did was enrage me. The sooner we closed those accounts the better. Staff in our local Barclays too were insignificant and a disappointment.

Like some other posters, I've been with First Direct for years. Never waited more than a minute or two (and generally get straight through, if I need telephone advice). Always top of polls on customer service. I'm not sure, but think there's a minimum monthly amount needed for new accounts.

Santander for me. The staff are friendly and helpful , there's interest on my money and they tell me if there's any scheme to earn a bit more. I was with NatWest for donkeys years, was a fool to stay loyal all those years.

I have been with Lloyds for over 50 years and have always found them polite and helpful. I have been with different branches as I've moved around, and every one has been kind with prompt and efficient attention.

HootyMcOwlface (oh i wish i had a name like that!) is on the money. See what Martin Lewis says then see if there's a branch near you (if you want one near you that is.)

Can recommend Nationwide Flex Plus account. Free travel insurance and breakdown cover plus mobile Insurance. Our local branch is really friendly. When I say free you do pay a monthly charge but you also get interest which pays half of this.

I've been with First Direct for over 20 years - never a problem. A friendly voice answers very quickly if you ring them, and the online banking system is really simple and easy to use.

I bank with both Natwest & Lloyds, when I moved 3 years ago to a small Devon Town we had branches of both Natwest & Lloyds. Natwest branch was closed nearly 2 years ago but we still have Lloyds. Post Office is very useful as they deal with both deposits & credits, only problem is if you pay in it takes an extra day (even cash), my solution is to pay in at Lloyds & transfer online. I can draw cash over the Post Office counter which helps. It's a "route march" in my largest Town to the Banks but at least they are all together.

When DH died I found all the Banks I dealt were efficient & compassionate, maybe I was just lucky.

35 years with Lloyds and I moved to Santander ... no idea why I didn't do it sooner!
Santander couldn't have been nicer - they have lots of branches in some areas (depends on yours obviously) and their online banking is simple and friendly too and their phone app is a dream.

PS don't forget to check Martin *moneysaving expert) and bag about £100 for changing once you've decided where you'd like to go!

I don't use a bank, I've been with Nationwide BS for years and have found them friendly and helpful whenever I've had to visit one of the branches. I use internet banking these days, its easy and convenient. I hardly use cash, preferring to pay by card for practically everything, and just get cash-back from supermarkets as and when I need some.

I don’t know why people use banks! The only place for me and it has been for many years - the Nationwide Building Society.

We switched from Barclays, who were an absolute nightmare, to Santander. The Youswitch system worked perfectly, apart from Barclays trying to stick their oar in and demanding we fill in a form to confirm that we had the audacity to want to leave them, We are very happy with Santander and the 123 account which pays interest and do most of our banking online.

Handelsbanken have been in the UK over 40 years and now have 208 branches. They do provide a very personal service but there is a monthly fee. Why not check out the website. My husband is a branch manager with Handelsbanken.

I think it depends on which banks have local branches and which of those have helpful staff. I find NatWest always helpful and efficient. Santander are both unpleasant and inefficient and Barclays just not very helpful or efficient.