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Original poster

Would you recommend your bank? I need to switch current accounts

89 replies

MeowCatPleaseMeowBack · 02/08/2024 14:46

Utterly fed up with Natwest. When the app doesn't work (a frequent occurrence) there is no technical support and customer services can't help because some things can ONLY be done via app and not over the phone.

Can anyone recommend a good bank? I don't mind if things go wrong with tech as long as they provide customer service when it does.

OP posts:
TheFormidableMrsC · 02/08/2024 15:31

I've been with HSBC for eternity. Never had any issues. The app is very good and easy to navigate. I have a large overdraft facility that I never use but I'm glad I have it. Their chat service and telephone lines have been absolutely fine when I've needed them. I've never felt the need to change.

Madmoomoo · 02/08/2024 15:32

Definitely look at Starling. We changed earlier this year and they’ve been brilliant. I love the app. You can really analyse your spending and create different spaces within your account. Also very good when travelling.

TheTripThatWasnt · 02/08/2024 15:36

I've been with Barclays for years and have no issues.

It all depends what's important to you...
Do you need access to a branch (increasingly hard!)
Do you want 'perks' and if so are you happy to pay (most accounts with decent perks have a fee, but if you do it right you can still make money after the fee)?
Do you want access to savings alongside it? (or savings pots, like Monzo etc)
Do you just want the best introductory offer? (cash on opening etc)
Do you want to earn interest?

Answers to these questions (and more) will narrow down the right banking provider for you.

watchingsmurfs · 02/08/2024 15:37

Nationwide. Absolutely fabulous.
Been with them years and years and I’ve had three separate payments of £100 pound from them in the last few years for doing absolutely nothing except holding an account with them!

Kosenrufugirl · 02/08/2024 15:39

TizerorFizz · 02/08/2024 14:52

We’ve been Lloyds for over 50 years. Not had issues with app. You do have to accept technology is not infallible though. Changing accounts if you have direct debits etc is a pain too. Good luck with that.

Lloyds offers £175 to switch account on a regular basis (conditions appy). I switched from Natwest to Lloyds recently. I had 3 direct debits and a few regular payments, they got transferred over. So far happy with the service. Even though I had been advised to open a Lloyds account first and then to switch by their technical team due to some technical glitch. Wait for the offer, I missed the one ending at the end of March, got the one ending at the end of July

Dartwarbler · 02/08/2024 15:41

squashyhat · 02/08/2024 14:49

I've been with First Direct for 10+ years with no problems.

I’ve just switched from first direct after 3 years.
but I really like them, good support
good app

only switched cos get switch bonus and Santander due has good saver and cash back

would happily switch back to first direct in a few years

Dartwarbler · 02/08/2024 15:43

TheTripThatWasnt · 02/08/2024 15:36

I've been with Barclays for years and have no issues.

It all depends what's important to you...
Do you need access to a branch (increasingly hard!)
Do you want 'perks' and if so are you happy to pay (most accounts with decent perks have a fee, but if you do it right you can still make money after the fee)?
Do you want access to savings alongside it? (or savings pots, like Monzo etc)
Do you just want the best introductory offer? (cash on opening etc)
Do you want to earn interest?

Answers to these questions (and more) will narrow down the right banking provider for you.

Barclays sent me bats
that was some years ago. Help desk manned in Bangalore like many. Couldn’t get them to do anything that was “off script “

Original poster
MeowCatPleaseMeowBack · 02/08/2024 15:52

TheTripThatWasnt · 02/08/2024 15:36

I've been with Barclays for years and have no issues.

It all depends what's important to you...
Do you need access to a branch (increasingly hard!)
Do you want 'perks' and if so are you happy to pay (most accounts with decent perks have a fee, but if you do it right you can still make money after the fee)?
Do you want access to savings alongside it? (or savings pots, like Monzo etc)
Do you just want the best introductory offer? (cash on opening etc)
Do you want to earn interest?

Answers to these questions (and more) will narrow down the right banking provider for you.

All I want is reliability and being able to move money when I need to. Cashback etc are nice bonuses but customer service is my #1 priority. I haven't been to a branch in a decade and no desire to start!

OP posts:
avocadotofu · 02/08/2024 15:55

Another vote for First Direct, we've been with them for about 18 years and are really happy with them.

Roserunner · 02/08/2024 15:58

I've been with HSBC for years and love how simple their app is, I have a few savings accounts/ ISAs and they all come up on the same log in as well as my daughter's CTF account.

Through work I need access to several of my clients business accounts. I would not recommend co-op. NatWest is hit or miss, Barclays isn't too bad.

julydecembermay · 02/08/2024 15:59

I have both Starling and First Direct. Both great. Starling allows "spaces" for saving for bills, events and so on - brilliant. First direct is great telephone banking - always fast to answer and easy to communicate with.

SabrinaThwaite · 02/08/2024 16:05

I’ve been HBOS for years - app is pretty good and easy to move money around. Halifax Clarity card is good for travel.

Oneblindmouse · 02/08/2024 16:06

I have banked with First Direct since they started in 1989. Always been excellent. If I need to I can speak with a real person in a UK call centre 24/7 364 days a year. Call handlers are friendly, patient and polite. I have the "First" current account as well as a Credit Card account. There are no charges for the current "First" account if you use another service such as a savings account or credit card.
I can do everything I need on the banking app but know I can call if I need to.

GradGirl · 02/08/2024 16:13

Kitfish · 02/08/2024 14:51

I've been with First Direct for 30 years and they have always been excellent.

Same here.

JoanThursday · 02/08/2024 16:18

We had accounts with Lloyds and Co-op, and were getting disillusioned with both of them for various reasons.

We moved to Monzo a couple of years ago - absolutely no regrets. Excellent app, ability to put money into 'pots', you can 'flex' big purchases interest free (like Klarna), can tag transactions eg bills, food, gifts. Great tracking/reporting.

I've only had one instance of having to contact them when there was a fraudulent transaction on my account. They dealt with it immediately.

Very impressed!

BuddhaAtSea · 02/08/2024 16:21

First Direct every time. It’s the only bank I ever called that doesn’t have those stupid options, you call, it rings, someone picks up and sorts your problem. None of that transfer to whatever department, they all seem to be trained to deal with everything. I’ll never ever leave them.

Nationwide is also good for perks: my mortgage is with them, and I get a preferential rate, I have a very old credit card that I can use abroad with no extra fees.

TreadSoftlyOnMyDreams · 02/08/2024 16:31

First Direct. I've banked with Barclays, briefly with Halifax and never looked back since moving to FD 20 yrs ago. Several mortgages with them too.

I think it's because they have always been an online bank, everything is set up to make it as painless as possible as there's no assumption of any sort of face to face activity.

Haven't spoken to them in ages but both DH and I have had reason to call on our birthday's and you get an immediate "happy birthday" from someone who seems keen to actually help you. Their call centres are in the UK too which means its usually very quick and easy as a regional accent doesn't make the whole experience purgatorial. I had to call an insurance company recently and had to go into full "How Now Brown Cow" mode to make myself understood. My kids were 😂 at my sudden need to speak like the Queen.

jackstini · 02/08/2024 16:35

Barclays - our current account is offset against our mortgage and has saved us 000s
App is good and really easy to manage multiple accounts on it

Kids late teens have Barclays and Santander

Zen · 02/08/2024 16:38

Well I am with NatWest and have never had a problem with them. I use the app regularly, probably every day, and don’t recall having any issues (only issue I can remember was due to poor mobile signal, I had to go outside to use it). I move money between my current and savings account in both directions instantly, same with transfers to other people. My dp banks with Lloyds and his app seems really complicated.

CloudPop · 02/08/2024 16:42

Another vote for First Direct.

CloudPop · 02/08/2024 16:42

Although Halifax are pretty good also

ohtowinthelottery · 02/08/2024 16:44

@Zen I was about to say the same re NatWest App. I use it all the time and have never had a problem with it. I've banked with Nat West for 42 years (obviously not had the app all that time!)

ChittyChittyBoomBoom · 02/08/2024 16:44

Starling. Their app is absolutely fantastic and has transformed my approach to money. The saving spaces are just so useful to me.

Their online support is excellent too. I’ve never needed to call for support as it’s always been quick and easy to sort via the app.

1apenny2apenny · 02/08/2024 16:49

First Direct

NOT Nationwide

Shortkiwi · 02/08/2024 16:50

Had Santander current account for years and it has been fine but I keep little money in there now.
Opened a Chase account in the last couple of years and it’s been brilliant. Both for savings and use when travelling abroad.
Look at MSE - always useful information on its website.