Author's product rating: 
| Advantages: |
Friendly staff |
| Disadvantages: |
Long Cues |
| Recommend to potential buyers: |
yes |
Bank of Ireland
I have been a customer of bank of Ireland for some time now, and I have to admit I have never had any problems with the service.
I have a basic saving account and a credit card with this bank - and I have been a loyal customer every since.
I opened an account when I was 17, and they were very helpful as I had no ID, so they worked hard with me to get a way of opening an account for me, which I appreciated very much. This account is not a card account, just a
savings account - meaning I had to physically go into a bank branch to withdraw or deposit money. I didn't mind as they had 3 branches in my area, which is very handy.
I then became a student and was offered a student credit card with all these brilliant deals, so in fell into the trap unfortunately, and now I owe them 800 quid .
That's one thing I don't like about banks, they should give students credit cards, its an easy target, but its really unfair, banks know that students love money and they work on that - offer you the world. Grrrrrrrrrrr.
Anyway - the current account part of it, everything is brilliant about it, my wages go straight into the account, handy to get money in and out.
The staff
All the staff that I have met over all the years of dealing with them have been really nice, all very professional and understanding. They always check identification for security purposes which makes me feel more secure using them. Bank of Ireland has excellent customer service.
The Online Banking
I am in the process of setting up online banking, and it is quite a process, you call them, and they have to ID you, so you must have a recent statement in front of you, as they will ask you questions like … what was your last withdrawal, or the date you were last in the branch etc and if you don't know these details, they will not continue with the telephone call. But if you do, they then will send you out a 365 info pack, then you can then set up your banking.
Yes its very secure, but I kinda prefer my other banks, as I could get my online banking 3 minutes after registering, and I could view my balances and statements online.
Bank of Ireland takes a while to process.
The credit card
The credit card is handy and Its got some good deals for students, as I found out all too well. But as I mentioned before, students shouldn't be offering credit cards, if they want one let them apply, but the day I went into the bank, the lady really badgered me until I said yes, she was nice and friendly but I couldn't talk her down, that's the main reason I accepted it in the first place, now I am trying to hard to pay if off. The interest is not so bad, if you make sure you do not miss a payment, and pay off as as much as you can fast and get rid of it.
I am a fan of the bank but not credit cards, I seen how they affect people, and the debt people are in.
So all in all - good bank, good services, friendly customer service, plenty of branches around, handy to get in contact with - either online or on the phone. Check out their website for more details.
LesleyANNE
