Anyone recommend a good bank?

Another vote for First Direct from me. I've been with them for 10 years and have never had a problem - I do most of my banking on the internet now but their call centre's are first rate. Indeed most of the people in my office also bank with them and are of a similar opinion.

aks120 was almost right with the £100 offer - They'll actually give you £100 when you move to them and another £100 if, after 6 months, you decide not to stay. Personally I have no idea why they feel the need to do this as they are just plain fantastic.

FM

P.S. I have always been told that it is not the best idea to have a current account and a mortgage with the same financial institution. Obviously doesn't apply to anyone here but there are issues if you ever get into problems.

Another vote for First Direct from me. I've been with them for 10 years and have never had a problem - I do most of my banking on the internet now but their call centre's are first rate. Indeed most of the people in my office also bank with them and are of a similar opinion.

aks120 was almost right with the 100 offer - They'll actually give you 100 when you move to them and another 100 if, after 6 months, you decide not to stay. Personally I have no idea why they feel the need to do this as they are just plain fantastic.

FM

P.S. I have always been told that it is not the best idea to have a current account and a mortgage with the same financial institution. Obviously doesn't apply to anyone here but there are issues if you ever get into problems.

Originally posted by fozzyo
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.

I admire your optimism, however misplaced it may be...

My parents have been with the Nationwide for decades. Last week they were worried where a cheque book they ordered had got to, and subsequently discovered that someone had changed the address for the account. They then discovered that the same someone - masquerading as my father - had spent the previous week taking somewhere in the region of £140K out of their accounts. For this reason, I would have some amount of difficulty in recommending Nationwide as a bank of choice at present.

Me? Very happy with the Co-operative Bank. And Yorkshire Building Society were a rather nice bunch to do business with back when we had a mortgage.

Originally posted by fozzyo
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.

I admire your optimism, however misplaced it may be...

My parents have been with the Nationwide for decades. Last week they were worried where a cheque book they ordered had got to, and subsequently discovered that someone had changed the address for the account. They then discovered that the same someone - masquerading as my father - had spent the previous week taking somewhere in the region of 140K out of their accounts. For this reason, I would have some amount of difficulty in recommending Nationwide as a bank of choice at present.

Me? Very happy with the Co-operative Bank. And Yorkshire Building Society were a rather nice bunch to do business with back when we had a mortgage.

[mitchja]

Been with Halifax now for over 12 years. No major issues in that time.

Only thing that annoys me at present is their silly new online bill payment system where you now can't pay a bill the same day. Oh and as to their 'Faster bill payments' - yeah right!!!

Regards

[mitchja]

Been with Halifax now for over 12 years. No major issues in that time.

Only thing that annoys me at present is their silly new online bill payment system where you now can't pay a bill the same day. Oh and as to their 'Faster bill payments' - yeah right!!!

Regards

Guys keep telling me who you bank with. I'm hacking as you list them[}:)]

Iain

Guys keep telling me who you bank with. I'm hacking as you list them[}:)]

Iain

Originally posted by iforres1
Guys keep telling me who you bank with. I'm hacking as you list them[}:)]

Iain

Hmm. This crossed my mind too. So far I've got - Bank: HSBC; Username: Richard Mannion; Password: Hitler; Favourite Place: Hull. It's all coming together very nicely. Now, to book my flights to Rio...

Originally posted by iforres1
Guys keep telling me who you bank with. I'm hacking as you list them[}:)]

Iain

Hmm. This crossed my mind too. So far I've got - Bank: HSBC; Username: Richard Mannion; Password: Hitler; Favourite Place: Hull. It's all coming together very nicely. Now, to book my flights to Rio...

Originally posted by mdvipond

Originally posted by iforres1
Guys keep telling me who you bank with. I'm hacking as you list them[}:)]

Iain

Hmm. This crossed my mind too. So far I've got - Bank: HSBC; Username: Richard Mannion; Password: Hitler; Favourite Place: Hull. It's all coming together very nicely. Now, to book my flights to Rio...

Don't waste your time, I ve already checked that account and it seems that a certain LSOM has been on a spending spree without permission[:w] He's skint

Originally posted by mdvipond

Originally posted by iforres1
Guys keep telling me who you bank with. I'm hacking as you list them[}:)]

Iain

Hmm. This crossed my mind too. So far I've got - Bank: HSBC; Username: Richard Mannion; Password: Hitler; Favourite Place: Hull. It's all coming together very nicely. Now, to book my flights to Rio...

Don't waste your time, I ve already checked that account and it seems that a certain LSOM has been on a spending spree without permission[:w] He's skint

Originally posted by iforres1
Guys keep telling me who you bank with. I'm hacking as you list them[}:)]

Ah, so your the one I keep getting those emails from...

I actaully wonder how quickly the phishing mails will include mention of having to re-enter username and passwords due to 'LlOyDsTsb mreger...'

Originally posted by iforres1
Guys keep telling me who you bank with. I'm hacking as you list them[}:)]

Ah, so your the one I keep getting those emails from...

I actaully wonder how quickly the phishing mails will include mention of having to re-enter username and passwords due to 'LlOyDsTsb mreger...'

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.

Ditto. My current account is with Abbey, and having been with them for nearly two years now I'm very satisfied with their service, and the few problems I've had have been dealt with very well.

I also highly recommend Nationwide, even though they are a building society. Been with them for several years now with an ISA and they treat all their customers very well. One thing that sells me with Nationwide is that they put their customers first as they have no shareholders (just having an account with them means you own part of the society) so they will always make decisions in the best interests of their customers, and their interest rates have always been favourable when compared to banks.

Can't really say much for NatWest, whom I recently opened a student account with.

Having said all that, Darren Wheeler has hit the nail on the head. You can only make out what is or what isn't a good bank once you encounter a problem and see first hand how they deal with it. And just hope that you never ever have a problem as it can either be solved quickly or solved with great difficulty...even more so if money has been lost!

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.

Ditto. My current account is with Abbey, and having been with them for nearly two years now I'm very satisfied with their service, and the few problems I've had have been dealt with very well.

I also highly recommend Nationwide, even though they are a building society. Been with them for several years now with an ISA and they treat all their customers very well. One thing that sells me with Nationwide is that they put their customers first as they have no shareholders (just having an account with them means you own part of the society) so they will always make decisions in the best interests of their customers, and their interest rates have always been favourable when compared to banks.

Can't really say much for NatWest, whom I recently opened a student account with.

Having said all that, Darren Wheeler has hit the nail on the head. You can only make out what is or what isn't a good bank once you encounter a problem and see first hand how they deal with it. And just hope that you never ever have a problem as it can either be solved quickly or solved with great difficulty...even more so if money has been lost!

Originally posted by iforres1
Guys keep telling me who you bank with. I'm hacking as you list them[}:)]

If any V-Flyer just happens to suffer from an unusual level of fluctuation in their bank accounts, I suggest you report Iain to the relevant authorities. [}:)]

Originally posted by iforres1
Guys keep telling me who you bank with. I'm hacking as you list them[}:)]

If any V-Flyer just happens to suffer from an unusual level of fluctuation in their bank accounts, I suggest you report Iain to the relevant authorities. [}:)]

Originally posted by VS075

Originally posted by iforres1
Guys keep telling me who you bank with. I'm hacking as you list them[}:)]

If any V-Flyer just happens to suffer from an unusual level of fluctuation in their bank accounts, I suggest you report Iain to the relevant authorities. [}:)]

Automated reply:-

I am currently out of the country right now visiting clients in Lagos,Nigeria and Moscow. As soon as I return I will get back to you...Beep

Originally posted by VS075

Originally posted by iforres1
Guys keep telling me who you bank with. I'm hacking as you list them[}:)]

If any V-Flyer just happens to suffer from an unusual level of fluctuation in their bank accounts, I suggest you report Iain to the relevant authorities. [}:)]

Automated reply:-

I am currently out of the country right now visiting clients in Lagos,Nigeria and Moscow. As soon as I return I will get back to you...Beep

RBS Royalties Gold - £12 a month fee but with worldwide family travel insurance and Green Flag breakdown cover to name but a few.

John

RBS Royalties Gold - 12 a month fee but with worldwide family travel insurance and Green Flag breakdown cover to name but a few.

John

HSBC for me. Have a staff account thanks to the old man who was an HSBC/Midland 'lifer'. Premier is very good and intenet banking works like a treat.

Have recently opened a Natwest account for a loan and they are shocking! Rubbish internet banking system, poor customer service. Will be closing my account with them ASAP.

Of course all this could be wasted, as there is still the major hurdle of HBOS shareholders and Lloyds TSB shareholders agreeing to this do. Heck if I had brought HBOS shares 18months ago at £12 something I would not be too happy at selling them to LLoyds TSB for 2 quid now!

HSBC for me. Have a staff account thanks to the old man who was an HSBC/Midland 'lifer'. Premier is very good and intenet banking works like a treat.

Have recently opened a Natwest account for a loan and they are shocking! Rubbish internet banking system, poor customer service. Will be closing my account with them ASAP.

Of course all this could be wasted, as there is still the major hurdle of HBOS shareholders and Lloyds TSB shareholders agreeing to this do. Heck if I had brought HBOS shares 18months ago at 12 something I would not be too happy at selling them to LLoyds TSB for 2 quid now!

Originally posted by willd
Of course all this could be wasted, as there is still the major hurdle of HBOS shareholders and Lloyds TSB shareholders agreeing to this do. Heck if I had brought HBOS shares 18months ago at £12 something I would not be too happy at selling them to LLoyds TSB for 2 quid now!

Especially as 5 minutes ago their shares have jumped to £2.40[:0], I think a few people will want to renegotiate or perhaps another player may come in if they sniff a deal.

Anyway back on theme, thanks for the suggestions guys. Since we don't want anything fancy where you have to pay extra fees or have investiments committed in one place we think we may well give First Direct a call for our bank account, Abbey for our mortgage and Nationwide for our credit cards.

Miopyk[8D]