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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask whether anyone likes/would recommend a bank or building society?

90 replies

ChesapeakeEmbarrassed · 28/10/2021 14:11

I know this is probably a stupid idea as I think everyone hates their bank but I want to open a new bank account. I'm currently with a main stream high street bank that have closed all of their branches and I hate them so am in the market for a change.

I want to have a current account preferably with an ok-ish interest rate on a positive balance (compared to others as I realise this is not bonanza interest rate time) and one where you can actually speak to a person in the UK if you phone them not a far east call centre and one where they are not rude or difficult.

Does this bank or buildings society exist?

Is anyone happy with their bank? Or if you have changed banks/bs and have experience of more than one, which do you prefer and why?

Grateful for any help or thoughts.

Maybe they are all as bad as each other. :(

OP posts:
AlwaysReadyForABlether · 28/10/2021 20:40

I have worked in financial services for 30+ years and would recommend first direct. In my previous job I dealt with the customer satisfaction surveys and they consistently topped the tables - but my employer used to discount them because they don't have branches! As soon as I was made redundant I switched everything to first direct!
UK call centres and you get straight through to a person without having to press loads of buttons. You can pay a cheque in using the app so no need to visit a branch. For paying in cash you can use HSBC branches and the Post Office.

CorrBlimeyGG · 28/10/2021 20:42

Sadly bank branches are becoming a thing of the past. However the Post Office withdrawal/ deposit service does all that any smaller bank branch would offer.

I'm happy with Barclays.

TotallySuper · 28/10/2021 20:43

Nationwide is the only building society, only one that's UK based so you're always guaranteed to speak to someone in the UK and small enough to care. They take complaints etc very seriously and always deliver. Being a building society they also have no shareholders to please (like the banks) so genuinely do things to help members rather than make profit for shareholders.

NotExactlyHappyToHelp · 28/10/2021 20:44

If going in branch is important to you I’d definitely choose Nationwide. They’re always really lovely helpful people on the phone or in branch and I’m pretty sure they’ve made a promise to keep all branches open for the next 5 years although I’m slightly woolly on the details.

TotallySuper · 28/10/2021 20:45

@ChesapeakeEmbarrassed

This is very interesting because my current bank that I hate has been recommended here! It's partly why I didn't identify it so as not to skew the pitch in case it was bad but not AS bad as others.

Starling which a few have mentioned I've never heard of. Is it new? A rebrand?

I do prefer to visit a branch and pay in in person but I'm reluctant to choose on the basis of what is near me as they seem to be closing at a rate of knots.

My existing bank literally closed the closest one, then the next closest one, then the two next closest so its either pay in at the post office or go on a +++ mins drive.

If you like to bank in person you definitely want Nationwide. Starling etc will be a nightmare for you, as would HSBC as you can visit them to pay into first direct but they can't help you any further than that and would direct you to the phone instead.
TotallySuper · 28/10/2021 20:47

@NotExactlyHappyToHelp

If going in branch is important to you I’d definitely choose Nationwide. They’re always really lovely helpful people on the phone or in branch and I’m pretty sure they’ve made a promise to keep all branches open for the next 5 years although I’m slightly woolly on the details.
Thats not quite how the branch promise works - its that every town or city won't be without a branch. So if they have 4 branches in one city they could close 3 and still be sticking to their promise. But they don't make closures lightly.
colouringindoors · 28/10/2021 20:49

Another vote for First Direct. Consistently excellent and UK-based customer service.

ElaineMarieBenes · 28/10/2021 21:02

Nationwide

TotallySuper · 28/10/2021 21:04

OP if you switch to nationwide at the moment you'll get £100 too

www.nationwide.co.uk/current-accounts/switch/

TunnelOfGoats · 28/10/2021 21:07

I'd recommend Nationwide

Davros · 28/10/2021 21:08

Nationwide good
NatWest bad

Thehop · 28/10/2021 21:10

I love Monzo

Salahdor · 28/10/2021 21:11

First Direct absolutely. Great when I rang them following a bereavement and couldn’t remember my pin. Very helpful and understanding. Also rang me when they’d stopped an attempted fraudulent transaction before I even noticed my card missing. Always a human and very helpful.

CityMumma78 · 28/10/2021 21:11

First Direct

My husband and I have been with them for 20 years and they are amazing and we have never had any issues! UK based call centre with lovely helpful people who answer calls swiftly and a great app for online banking.

TheHalloweenWitchGhost · 28/10/2021 21:26

I'm with lloyds and have never had issues, I go into my local branch a lot but also went into a branch while on holiday (a branch I'd never been in before) due to an issue and was just as impressed with the service there too.

1FootInTheRave · 28/10/2021 21:30

Nationwide have been fine for banking.

Do not recommend for mortgages though.

HippeePrincess · 28/10/2021 21:34

I’ve been with nationwide for more than 20 years and I’ve never had a problem.
Also been with Lloyds for a number of years and not had an issue with them either, happy with their cashback scheme and interest rates.

dementedpixie · 28/10/2021 21:37

@1FootInTheRave

Nationwide have been fine for banking.

Do not recommend for mortgages though.

Never had an issue with them for banking or mortgage
nameyouwhat · 28/10/2021 21:40

I swap banks every few years.,whenever I find a good switch offer!

nancybotwinbloom · 28/10/2021 22:00

If you do change banks op maybe link in with someone on here because lots offer rewards for recommending a friend for both you and whoever recommends you. Be nice just in time for Christmas

yikesanotherbooboo · 28/10/2021 22:05

We have been with First Direct since their earliest days and have never had a problem that couldn't easily be sorted. They perform well consistently on every marker. I have other accounts and have been with many banks for mortgages or change of interest rates or whatever but FD has been by far the most reliable performer and easiest to access.

AnnieSnap · 29/10/2021 02:28

My current account is with Lloyds (been with them just over one year). I pay for their premium account for the travel insurance. It saves us quite a bit of money, since both DH and I are in our 60s, with pre-existing health condition (which they cover). Anyone else have travel insurance with their account/accounts? How is it?

Bontanics · 29/10/2021 02:53

Most high street banks invest in fossil fuels if that's a consideration for you. Monzo, tridos and Starling are all not involved in this and are considered the most sustainable.

TrueRefuge · 29/10/2021 04:09

First direct.

sashh · 29/10/2021 04:30

I had BIG problems with Lloyds.

I have a couple of current accounts, I recently had a problem with Nat West, I was passed around 4 different people who didn't help and then the phone went dead.

So I called complaints and the person sorted the actual problem in 5 mins and said she would get a supervisor to call me.

The supervisor called, estimated I'f spent 45 mins on the phone so gave me 'an hour' ie £10 and £30 compensation.

So my initial problem I wasn't happy with them, but the resolution I was happy with.

I have another account with Nationwide, I opened it to access a savings account (you have to have a current account) and every year or so they offer me a different savings account with better interest.

OP

Have you considered staying local? There are still local building societies with just a few branches.