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Original poster

Big 4 clearing banks

32 replies

geranium · 10/10/2005 13:21

I would like to call again on the expertise of MN members. I'm sick and tired of my bank and a letter this morning informing me that they are closing my local branch is the final straw. This bank obviously doesn't have any interest in its (low-paying) non-business customers. I would therefore be grateful for views on which of Barclays, NatWest, HSBC and Lloyds MNers consider best. I'm not mentioning my current bank as I don't want to prejudice the survey!

Thanks

PS for various reasons I want to stick to those 4 banks (rather than internet options etc) for the moment.

OP posts:
CaptainCavemansMummy · 10/10/2005 13:28

I am happy with Lloyds but their telephone support line is a tad comical. I object to using call centres in India and getting the workers to change their names to sound Western....
I spoke to a lady called Brenda last week. I might be doing her a huge injustice but I really doubt that was her name!!

munz · 10/10/2005 13:30

lloyds - v pleased with them tuoch wood never any probs - natwest- few probs esp over charges, not too keen on them. Halifax - don't touch with a barge pole. Barclays - ok when I used them b4 marriage - never o/d thou so don't know about that side.

Tinker · 10/10/2005 13:30

Don't pick Barclays.

doormat · 10/10/2005 13:35

bank with Lloyds, had one prob but other than that quite happy

LadyMarinaofSarfLondon · 10/10/2005 13:42

Only really have experience of personal banking with Lloyds but am very happy with them and their internet banking service is excellent

CountessCadburyOfBournville · 10/10/2005 13:49

we have been very happy with First Direct/HSBC. No probs, nice humans to talk to.

Original poster
geranium · 10/10/2005 14:46

What I would like to do is be able to visit a branch but also ring up at night or whenever - 24hrs a day - and find out my balance or do any other transactions. Do Lloyds winners so far) let you do this?

OP posts:
gingerbear · 10/10/2005 14:52

We are with Royal Bank of Scotland. 24hr telephone/online banking and v nice humans at the branch we use.

mememum · 10/10/2005 15:02

I'm not so impressed with Lloyds and am in the process of changing banks. They have took money out of my account for gas payments but where I live we use oil for central heating and are not mains gas so why that money went out I don't know. Also other similar payments have gone out. The staff in my local branch are rude. I went into the branch last week to sort the problem. I was taken ill and it was members of the public who came to my aid not the staff!

FrenchSorciere · 10/10/2005 15:03

am with Barclays and hate them
can't be bothered to change though...

Milliways · 10/10/2005 16:20

First Direct, Humans on phones & use of HSBC branches, + best website.

Fangache · 10/10/2005 16:23

I work for a large bank that has just announced many branch closures..... and there are more to come!

Bellie · 10/10/2005 16:33

Lloyds are have been a nightmare for us!! We rarely go into a branch, but use their 24 hour telephone service. Ever since they have moved this to India we have had problems. They have missed payments that we have set up, made payments for the wrong amount and when we try to pay some bills that we do reasonably frequently they have denied all knowledge of them being set up and so we have to start from scratch each time.
In the end they refund us with interest for missed payments etc, but not really the point as it is my time and hassle that the 24 banking was supposed to save!!
Needless to say we are changing!

piffle · 10/10/2005 16:36

Not Lloyds total arse wipes to be perfectly frank
WE find Natwest excellent but we do have primelime gold premier account, it was a bit scratchy when we had ordinary accounts.
I have had serious serious problems with Lloyds and successfully sued them in small claims

vicimelly · 10/10/2005 16:37

I have been with Lloyds for years, I've never had a problem with them, the staff at my local branch are great although I very rarely go in there I rely on their internet banking for everything - which is fantastic.
In fact they have just helped me out enormously this week, have been struggling with a few payments recently and they've really done everything they can to help me out and stop me from getting charges left right and centre so I like them a lot right now!

sweetheart · 10/10/2005 16:44

My dh and I have both been with HSBC since we were kids. I've never had any problems with them. Their call center is good and their internet banking is also brilliant.

LIZS · 10/10/2005 16:45

Nat West is part of Royal Bank of Scotland, if that influences your opinion.

munz · 10/10/2005 16:47

i'm with lloyds and have never spoken to anyone in india - come to think of it i've never gone thru automated service.

Original poster
geranium · 10/10/2005 16:53

Bother ! I was beginning to think Lloyds was the one but now having second thoughts, having read the latest posts. Have heard good things about NatWest but it sounds like there's no bank that everyone's happy with.

OP posts:
jessicaandbumpsmummy · 10/10/2005 16:56

Previous experience with Lloyds and HSBC and both were SHITE.

Switched to Natwest 18 months ago and not had any problems..... LOVE THEM.

Internet and telephone banking side of it so easy.

Your choice at the end of the day, but me and DH both HATED Lloyds and HSBC.

( If you have a Nationwide branch - they are my fave bank of all )

bubbaloo · 10/10/2005 17:31

I was with Abbey for 30 years and had such a nightmare with them this year that we've moved everything we had away from them including our mortgage,which actually cost us quite a bit,but at least I'm now shot of them.
I then opened 2 accounts with Natwest who i find very good and 3 accounts with Nationwide who are excellent.My main current account is with Natwest for easiness but I would highly recommmend Nationwide overall.
Dont go anywhere near Abbey!

tallulah · 10/10/2005 17:37

We had problems with Barclays and then with Lloyds- funnily enough, in both cases the problems started when DH was made redundant... "yes we'll pay your mortgage", then standing order refused & cancelled etc etc. Been with HSBC for 15 years. No problems at all, though haven't been made redundant . Very good internet banking service, still able to see real people at the branch. (I also have an Abbey account. If I could be bothered with the hassle I'd change it- hopeless, totally hopeless)

Original poster
geranium · 10/10/2005 18:16

ok, sounds like NatWest may be the one (bearing in mind Nationwide point but want something with loads of branches). Should come clean now and admit current, rubbish bank is Barclays.

OP posts:
vickiyumyum · 10/10/2005 18:25

bubaloo - i agree with you about abbey! last month they charged me £480 for unpaid direct debits! all ones that i ahd cancelled and moved to my new account, abbey were supposed to have done the transfer for me so that it ran smoothly!!!! am now in process of complaining to head office, been to the manager and he was useless, offered to refund £100 as a gesture f goodwill!
am now in process of cancelling all abeey accounts and moving to natwest, as my mum, dad, nan, grandad, aunts, uncles etc etc all bank with natwest and have never had any major problems. the odd charge for cheques paid and missing money but nothing that was there fault.

nutcackle · 10/10/2005 19:10

NOT BARCLAYS

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