can anyone recommend a decent current acct?

[AllieBongo]

we have been with hsbc for years, but are sick of the constant cock ups made by their so called customer service team. the branch is fab, but i can never speak to them.we need a small overdraft, internet banking and a uk call centre

I like Nat West, but my preferance would be Nationwide.

If it wasnt for my shocking credit rating, i would be with Nationwide.

Had so many ishoos with HSBC and Llyods

Smile, as long as you're happy with net / phone banking.
Used them for years and years, no cock ups, customer services always very helpful.

thank you!

is halifax any good? you get 100 squid if you switch to them

I don't like NAtWest but stick with them on principle (ie they tried to get rid of me over an ishoo with DH, and I said Oi!)

Dh si with nationswide and all our other acocunts are, tbh they've been fabulous

Still ahven't fprgive HSBC (then mid;ands) for leaving mum broke when I was about 9 (I'm 34 now LOL) because they'd given their weekly cash allowance out to someone and had no cash left that week, without a credit card we ahd to live on uncles chicken's eggs for a week LOL

Switching fro 100 squid? taht's be shellfish

(sorry- family joke....)

Halifax are great IMO

Barclays are awful i could not hate them more if i tried and have vowed neevr ever to set foot in a branch or have anything to do with them EVER again!

PLEASE stay away from barclays!

We use First Direct and are very happy, lovely 24hour call centre - always answered promptly and internet.

They are off course HSBC, though under another guise - so that might put you off.

kaz, do they have indian call centres?? i know that sounds awful, but all the problems i have had have arisen from there, simply because they cannot understand what i am asking for..

Meant to say, Nationwide and the smaller building societies and Smile always have fairly low interest rates on overdrafts and high interest when you're in credit, compared to the big high street banks.
Other products are also always competitive, so you can also use them for your credit card / savings accounts if you can't be bothered to shop around.
The call centre for Smile is somewhere in the North of England.

Nationwide. The internet banking is really good.

Another vote for Nationwide. Have had problems (albeit small) with HSBC, Natwest and big problems with Abbey - took 3 1hr visits to try to close account, which had nil balance anyway!

Nationwide have excellent internet banking facility, seems very secure. I pay all bills through website. Have used phone banking with no problems. Have direct dial number for my local branch. Staff have been the same for years, so know me quite well (other banks round here seem to have high turnover of staff). The interest rates are good. I have a linked e-savings account and can make instant transfers online ie move £1000 to current account just seconds before needing it so get highest interest for longest. Also have 2 ISAs, CTF & DS' account with Nationwide and have never had ANY problems. Oh yes, and mortgage too until we moved, and life cover etc. etc. I just find it so easy and hassle free with them.

Forgot to mention... I have an overdraft facility set up with no fees. When I go overdrawn, I don't get charged other than a few pence for every day I'm overdrawn.

smile- fabbo, everything can be sorted easily through their online service etc and call centres are in the uk.

I've been with First Direct for 15 yrs, really helpful on the phone and can recommend their internet system too, you get an instant overdraft limit anyway for free (ie no yearly charge for having it although of course you pay interest on any overdrawn funds).

HSBC are a nightmare though which I've always found odd. Avoid Barclays and Natwest, TSB like plague in my opinion.
Nationwide are good but not as easily accessible as FD IME. Good to have their CC for withdrawing cash abroad. We came back recently and FD haven't charged me a fee for using my Debit card in a supermarket and only £2 for withdrawing cash from a bank on it too which is amazing!