Anyone recommend a good bank?

Several years ago after a catalogue of mistakes we left Lloyds TSB after 20+ years of custom and vowed to never knowingly spend another penny with them. At the time the best alternative was HBOS and so we moved. Over time we moved our mortgage and credit cards to them as well and all was good in the world.

So imagine my dismay when it was announced today that HBOS is to be taken over by Lloyds and while to some this may seem trivial I refuse to contemplate remaining with this new institution should the merger proceed.

So if anyone could recommend a bank that generally provides good service and competitive terms and conditions generally in line with what HBOS offers today I would be most grateful.

Thanks

Miopyk[8D]

Northern Rock ? [:D]

Regards
Bryan

Northern Rock ? [:D]

Regards
Bryan

I'm with Smile. They are OK.
I'm also with cahoot, who are also OK.
I don't think there's a bank that gets higher than just OK.

I'm with Smile. They are OK.
I'm also with cahoot, who are also OK.
I don't think there's a bank that gets higher than just OK.

[RichardMannion]

Depends what you're after to be honest - I notice a lot of them are pushing the accounts with a fee as they come with 'all these benefits that make your life easier'. Though in reality the benefits look pretty crap, and for most people they could do better getting the benefits they actually need elsewhere.

My main account is with Bank of Scotland Private banking but given their current situation and general all round crapness, I'm moving to HSBC Premier. Our mortgage is with HSBC and I like their 'International' positioning on the account as I have regular needs to deal with Euros and USD. Speaking to others who have HSBC Premier they seem quite happy with the service. A lot of it does depend on your account manager though, as that is my biggest ask of a bank - a named person and number I can call if I need something doing; I don't want to have to stand in a branch queuing. I've previously used Barclays, Natwest and Clydesdale's Private Bankign facilities which have been okay, but have suffered when a new person has taken over the relationship.

Anyway, I'm rambling - so basically, what do you want from your bank? First Direct seem to do well in customer service surveys, though they have been changing their product range a bit.

[RichardMannion]

Depends what you're after to be honest - I notice a lot of them are pushing the accounts with a fee as they come with 'all these benefits that make your life easier'. Though in reality the benefits look pretty crap, and for most people they could do better getting the benefits they actually need elsewhere.

My main account is with Bank of Scotland Private banking but given their current situation and general all round crapness, I'm moving to HSBC Premier. Our mortgage is with HSBC and I like their 'International' positioning on the account as I have regular needs to deal with Euros and USD. Speaking to others who have HSBC Premier they seem quite happy with the service. A lot of it does depend on your account manager though, as that is my biggest ask of a bank - a named person and number I can call if I need something doing; I don't want to have to stand in a branch queuing. I've previously used Barclays, Natwest and Clydesdale's Private Bankign facilities which have been okay, but have suffered when a new person has taken over the relationship.

Anyway, I'm rambling - so basically, what do you want from your bank? First Direct seem to do well in customer service surveys, though they have been changing their product range a bit.

Steve & I have been consistently impressed with First Direct over the last 10 years or so we've been with them. Phones answered promptly and at any time of day or night & extremely polite, knowledgeable staff. Believe it or not we arranged our last mortgage with them at 11pm on a Sunday evening! Couple all that with a no hassle, reliable web site and we have nowt to grumble about [y]

Cheers
James

Steve & I have been consistently impressed with First Direct over the last 10 years or so we've been with them. Phones answered promptly and at any time of day or night & extremely polite, knowledgeable staff. Believe it or not we arranged our last mortgage with them at 11pm on a Sunday evening! Couple all that with a no hassle, reliable web site and we have nowt to grumble about [y]

Cheers
James

I totally agree with Vegascrazy. I have been with First Direct for 15 years and can honestly say I have never ever ever been hacked off with them. I always come off the phone smiling [:D], and they always sort out any issues (normally of my own doing)[:I] quickly and with professionalism.

I mainly use their internet banking and it is without fault really. They have many perks too - like not charging to take out cash from any bank cash machine in the UK. Good APR rates on loans etc.

Anyway - I know I will never change from First Direct.

I have even phoned them on Christmas Day to talk about mortages - just to see if they were there [:I] and I was dealt with as if it was a normal day - although with a little bit of banter too!

I believe they will give you 100 pounds if you swap to them and stay with them for 6 months [y]

Regards AKS

I totally agree with Vegascrazy. I have been with First Direct for 15 years and can honestly say I have never ever ever been hacked off with them. I always come off the phone smiling [:D], and they always sort out any issues (normally of my own doing)[:I] quickly and with professionalism.

I mainly use their internet banking and it is without fault really. They have many perks too - like not charging to take out cash from any bank cash machine in the UK. Good APR rates on loans etc.

Anyway - I know I will never change from First Direct.

I have even phoned them on Christmas Day to talk about mortages - just to see if they were there [:I] and I was dealt with as if it was a normal day - although with a little bit of banter too!

I believe they will give you 100 pounds if you swap to them and stay with them for 6 months [y]

Regards AKS

Coutts has always done right by me.

GJ

Coutts has always done right by me.

GJ

[fozzyo]

First Direct are very good on customer service and stuff, the Internet banking is good - much more so now you can have a username login rather then a random 10 digit number.

For security Northern Rock. As Martin Lewis said today on Radio 2, the only way Northern Rock can really go bankrupt now is if Great Britain PLC does which isn't really going to happen.

And having my business banking with HSBC ... First Direct wins over on the telephone banking hands down! HSBC insist on automated login / security system. First Direct also pride themselves on not having scripts apart from two areas:

1) Security check when you call - and thats with a person not machine
2) Statutory information that everyone has to give you anyway

Mat

[fozzyo]

First Direct are very good on customer service and stuff, the Internet banking is good - much more so now you can have a username login rather then a random 10 digit number.

For security Northern Rock. As Martin Lewis said today on Radio 2, the only way Northern Rock can really go bankrupt now is if Great Britain PLC does which isn't really going to happen.

And having my business banking with HSBC ... First Direct wins over on the telephone banking hands down! HSBC insist on automated login / security system. First Direct also pride themselves on not having scripts apart from two areas:

1) Security check when you call - and thats with a person not machine
2) Statutory information that everyone has to give you anyway

Mat

[Darren Wheeler]

Banks are a bit like insurance, you only really know what they are like when you have to deal with them after something has gone wrong.

Personally I'm with Alliance & Leicester and have been since the days it was GiroBank. Only ever had one problem with fraud (paypal account hacked) but never lost a penny.

[Darren Wheeler]

Banks are a bit like insurance, you only really know what they are like when you have to deal with them after something has gone wrong.

Personally I'm with Alliance & Leicester and have been since the days it was GiroBank. Only ever had one problem with fraud (paypal account hacked) but never lost a penny.

[Neil]

We are with Abbey for almost everything, mortgage, personal accounts, some insurance. I have been a customer since I was 14 and they have always done us proud. Now owned by Santander, I thought it might have a negative impact but I can honestly say they have actually got better and I can't see us moving any time soon. The online banking is excellent too.

[Neil]

We are with Abbey for almost everything, mortgage, personal accounts, some insurance. I have been a customer since I was 14 and they have always done us proud. Now owned by Santander, I thought it might have a negative impact but I can honestly say they have actually got better and I can't see us moving any time soon. The online banking is excellent too.

[RichardMannion]

Originally posted by Neil
We are with Abbey for almost everything, mortgage, personal accounts, some insurance. I have been a customer since I was 14 and they have always done us proud. Now owned by Santander, I thought it might have a negative impact but I can honestly say they have actually got better and I can't see us moving any time soon. The online banking is excellent too.

So 2 years then? [:p]

[RichardMannion]

Originally posted by Neil
We are with Abbey for almost everything, mortgage, personal accounts, some insurance. I have been a customer since I was 14 and they have always done us proud. Now owned by Santander, I thought it might have a negative impact but I can honestly say they have actually got better and I can't see us moving any time soon. The online banking is excellent too.

So 2 years then? [:p]

[Neil]

Originally posted by RichardMannion

Originally posted by Neil
We are with Abbey for almost everything, mortgage, personal accounts, some insurance. I have been a customer since I was 14 and they have always done us proud. Now owned by Santander, I thought it might have a negative impact but I can honestly say they have actually got better and I can't see us moving any time soon. The online banking is excellent too.

So 2 years then? [:p]

16? I'm not that old, cheeky sod, I shall be eternally young and never get old [:w]

[Neil]

Originally posted by RichardMannion

Originally posted by Neil
We are with Abbey for almost everything, mortgage, personal accounts, some insurance. I have been a customer since I was 14 and they have always done us proud. Now owned by Santander, I thought it might have a negative impact but I can honestly say they have actually got better and I can't see us moving any time soon. The online banking is excellent too.

So 2 years then? [:p]

16? I'm not that old, cheeky sod, I shall be eternally young and never get old [:w]

[preiffer]

Indeed. Neil's 2. He was born 30 and has been growing DOWN since.

translation for Neil's benefit: 'whaaaaahhh gooog grrruuugg gaaaah whahhhhhhhhhhh'

[preiffer]

Indeed. Neil's 2. He was born 30 and has been growing DOWN since.

translation for Neil's benefit: 'whaaaaahhh gooog grrruuugg gaaaah whahhhhhhhhhhh'