Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Money matters

Find financial and money-saving discussions including debt and pension chat on our Money forum. If you're looking for ways to make your money to go further, sign up to our Moneysaver emails here.

Original poster

Would you recommend your bank?

37 replies

BasilWhoosh · 02/04/2019 20:03

I've banked with Smile since not long after it was formed. They were always fantastic and I was always happy to recommend them to people. However they are an absolute shower of shit these days. More often than not I can't get onto my online banking. If I can access it then the functions I need don't work. I have been trying to pay a bill since 5pm tonight and have just given up. I need to switch to a new bank.

If you love your bank and their online banking works consistently then please let me know!

OP posts:
AnnieOH1 · 02/04/2019 20:10

HSBC absolutely yes 100%

Halifax - not even to my worst enemy.

Inaquandry06 · 02/04/2019 20:12

Annie - what did you dislike about Halifax? I only ask as we were looking at their children’s saver

HappyHedgehog247 · 02/04/2019 20:12

First direct are pretty good.

Disfordarkchocolate · 02/04/2019 20:13

Barclays - a shower of shit
First Direct - amazing
Nationwide - really good most of the time

Haggisfish · 02/04/2019 20:14

Royal bank of Scotland have been consistently fab for me

whiteroseredrose · 02/04/2019 20:16

First Direct are great.

Bigsighall · 02/04/2019 20:18

First direct 👍

Inaquandry06 · 02/04/2019 20:18

After reading the thread on here about The bank that sent a copy of a letter to customers violent ex partner with her new address on and have pretty much given her the run around since I would definitely vote against Barclays!

92AP · 02/04/2019 20:20

I work for HSBC and even I bank with First Direct (they are affiliated with HSBC but I dont qualify for a staff account).

Their customer service is second to none.

flamed12 · 02/04/2019 20:22

I started using starling bank. It’s all (I think) app based but amazing. So so easy to use. We have a joint account and both get instant and I mean instant notifications of money received and removed from the account.

There is also sections you can create. So we have £1000. £200 for mot, £400 holiday, £150 nursery etc. Well you can section all of them off so it’s easy to see what money is accounted for and what you have left. I love it.

Fivetoomany · 02/04/2019 20:23

Monzo, good customer service and there app is the best on the market!

stressedoutpa · 02/04/2019 20:24

Yes, First Direct

Haypanky · 02/04/2019 20:27

Nationwide, and also no dodgy investments to cloud your conscience

grannycake · 02/04/2019 20:31

Lloyds have excellent online banking and Santander pay the most current account interest. I run my MILs HSBC account and her online banking drives me crazy

RainbowMum11 · 02/04/2019 20:34

Can recommend HSBC, First Direct and Nationwide.

DianaT1969 · 02/04/2019 20:36

I've only had good experiences with Nationwide. Would recommend. I hated Abbey National/Santander though.

cliquewhyohwhy · 02/04/2019 20:38

Didn't have a good experience with HSBC, switched to Halifax and had no issues at all.

Peanut91 · 02/04/2019 20:49

Highly recommend Nationwide. They have always been fantastic

Spaceunicorn6789 · 02/04/2019 20:51

First Direct!

To be fair I don't have much dealings with them... But their app is good and the couple of times I've had to phone customer service they've been great!

cashmerecardigans · 02/04/2019 20:52

First Direct are fab. Just got HSBC credit card and had awful service.

Original poster
BasilWhoosh · 02/04/2019 21:06

Thanks for the feedback. It looks like First Direct might be the one to go for. I just can't understand what's gone so wrong at Smile!

OP posts:
cortex10 · 02/04/2019 21:15

25+ years with First Direct and never a problem

Squickety · 02/04/2019 21:18

First Direct. Never had any problems at all and when you phone them an Actual Real Person picks up the phone when it rings 😱

ChandelierSail · 02/04/2019 21:27

Another vote for First Direct 👍

BuggertheTabloids · 02/04/2019 21:33

Another happy First Direct customer. Been with them for nearly 25 years and no complaints.

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

Join Mumsnet Log In

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.

Swipe left for the next trending thread