Would you recommend your bank?

[BasilWhoosh]

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!

Halifax and santander are crap.

I like nationwide and Starling is great. Tesco is also okay but recently dropped the interest rate but had 3% for a few years.

First Direct - 30 years a customer and I can still use telephone banking and not forced into online banking

Nationwide, NatWest and Tesco bank have done me well over the last few years. Just tried to switch to First Direct and got rejected for no reason at all. Their customer service didn’t know why either but couldn’t do anything about it. Went with HSBC instead and their online banking is a right pain the arse compared to other banks I’ve used. I’ve also got a Starling account and that was so easy to set up and great for overseas transactions too.

First Direct. Second to none.

We’ve been really happy with Smile. I’ve had one or two issues with the app, but for some reason DH never has.

We have a second account with Santander, which we have only had a few months, but fine so far.

Nationwide are pretty good, and they are not closing branches as fast as the rest.

My main criticism of them is that, as a mutual organisation, long-standing loyal members ought to be rewarded with much better interest rates and perks than newer customers. This doesn’t happen nearly often enough.

HSBC absolutely yes 100%
Same here. If it wasn't for them, I'm not sure I'd be a home owner. They have always been great. Nationwide was good too. One I would definitely advise to stay as far away from as possible is Barclays. They messed me about once, was totally their fault but their attitude and customer management was shocking.

Absolutely. First Direct. Been with them about 2 years and won't look back now. If you need to speak to them, a few things and you're straight through to a friendly voice.

Currently, we bank with

HSBC - good, some things frustrate me, app much better now - like the regular saver

First Direct - okay - app good but why does HSBC have different features in its apps - like the free £250 overdraft and regular saver

Starling - brilliant

Nationwide - just opened for the 5% not sure about how good they are and will use the regular saver as well

Previously we've banked with

M&S - so shit it's untrue only had for the bonuses and the regular saver
Barclays - just don't go there
TSB - only had as a switching account
Santander - okay but ditched as charges getting higher
NatWest - again don't go there

Business wise
Barclays - horrible - will be moving to starling soon (ltd company)

HSBC - okay but only using for free banking will switch once it's up
Yorkshire - okay only used for free banking period - would like to open a starling account but they don't do partnerships yes

we do switch often making most of switching bonuses. i'm sure we've had a few others

just to add - Nationwide - I've now cancelled the process piss up and brewery spring to mine

Very happy with First Direct

Well not a promising start. I decided to apply to First Direct as so many of you recommended them. I've just sat and gone through most of the application online and now have an error message and my application has disappeared! Given that I am leaving Smile because of all their IT issues I am not filled with hope.