Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

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 anyone recommend the bank that they use?

87 replies

MaMaLa321 · 19/08/2021 16:44

I getting really fed up with the (low) level of customer service offered by the HSBC. I'm put off moving because I assume that all banks are the same, but would anyone recommend a bank? One where I could ring up and speak to a human being?

OP posts:
HPandTheNeverEndingBedtime · 19/08/2021 16:59

First direct is brilliant, I switched after the Money Saving Expert recommending it. Get through to someone in the UK within about 10 rings. If I need to pay money in I just go to the post office as no branch nearby.

Chicchicchicchiclana · 19/08/2021 17:02

First Direct. Been with them since they opened. Can't fault them and cannot remember a time when the phone wasn't picked up by a human within 5 rings. I honestly don't understand why everyone doesn't bank with them.

Anordinarymum · 19/08/2021 17:06

I have two banks. One is where my pension is paid and the other is my current account. Both banks are good. One is the one you don't want mentioning and the other is Barclays

FinallyFluid · 19/08/2021 17:07

First Direct.

BettySweaty · 19/08/2021 17:08

Another vote for first direct. Been with them for years. Never a problem.

ProfInkly · 19/08/2021 17:09

I left HSBC because everything was getting more and more difficult to do and they also closed my nearest branch. Now with Nationwide and so glad I switched.

Hoppinggreen · 19/08/2021 17:09

I have just switched from RBS to Monzo
No physical bank but I haven’t been in one for years. Early days but I like it so far

Marmite27 · 19/08/2021 17:10

First direct are part of HSBC and have had huge issues with queue times recently. At points it’s been over an hours wait, they are good when you get through though!

Needapoodle · 19/08/2021 17:11

I'm with starling, they're brilliant.

MuchTooTired · 19/08/2021 17:15

I’m with nationwide, they’re brilliant. My call to them got disconnected, and they actually rang me back!

Metro is another good one, you get to speak to a human being very quickly.

HSBC is shite, especially during lockdown.

GU24Mum · 19/08/2021 17:18

I've been with First Direct over 20 years and until recently wouldn't have hesitated in recommending them. Waiting times recently have been much worse (than usual) - but the staff are 99% great to deal with.

Chemenger · 19/08/2021 17:19

First Direct. I usually do everything on the app or online but called them last week. It did take longer than usual to get through, maybe 5 minutes, but they were so helpful and friendly that I didn't mind the wait.

ArsenicNLace · 19/08/2021 17:19

Another vote for First Direct. Absolutely wonderful. Have always sorted out any issues I've had even when I've caused them myself!

Been with them since 1997.

KittenKong · 19/08/2021 17:25

@Chicchicchicchiclana

First Direct. Been with them since they opened. Can't fault them and cannot remember a time when the phone wasn't picked up by a human within 5 rings. I honestly don't understand why everyone doesn't bank with them.
I had a Big Fight with them and they send me a large hamper to try to appease me... they were ok up until then.
Bells3032 · 19/08/2021 17:29

Always been happy with natwest. They were brill when my handbag got stolen. They made one mistake once when I was buying my flat and they misadvised me and they were so apologiric, sorted it and sent me a bottle of wine to apologise.

Had awful experiences with both Halifax (locking me out my account cos they misrecoreded my dob) and barclays (lost a £600 cheque and refused to do anything about it despite me having a receipt)

Hoppinggreen · 19/08/2021 17:43

@Needapoodle

I'm with starling, they're brilliant.
They turned DH down! He checked with Experian and his credit file is really good and he’s a high earner. No idea why and they just basically said tough and he could apply again in 12 months. Absolutely baffling Since then we have had a new mortgage and opened an account with Monzo with no issues
Mardycustard123 · 19/08/2021 18:00

First Direct since 1994. Never had any problems with them. Highly recommend.

EvilPea · 19/08/2021 18:09

Nationwide. Been with them for 20 years now. Really happy.

Had real issues with starling and trying to talk to someone or get an email address to talk to them.

It’s easy to forget banks are businesses and you can take your money elsewhere, but also that they don’t have your interest at heart

MrsCat1 · 19/08/2021 18:13

HSBC are abysmal. Just dreadful. I've had endless issues with them. Twice they have given me financial compensation for doing an appalling job. I don't want their money. I just want a decent service. Interested to hear about other better banks.

Charlieandlola · 19/08/2021 18:13

Been with First Direct since 1997. Slightly longer wait times at the moment but still great. I have had one service issue with them, I complained, they sorted it and sent me a hamper of Molton Brown as an apology.

Ikeeponkeepingon · 19/08/2021 18:30

Nationwide are very good.

Lanique · 19/08/2021 18:33

Very happy with Lloyds Bank. Their app is really good and they have handled a couple of claims I've had to make in the last few years really well.

OnlyJoking1 · 19/08/2021 18:34

Monzo have been brilliant for all our family.

Egghead68 · 19/08/2021 18:48

First Direct is great (but it is part of HSBC)

MrsFin · 19/08/2021 18:55

First Direct.
Always top of customer satisfaction surveys.

Swipe left for the next trending thread