Bank of Scotland

Advantages: Generous interest, good facilities, better than I expected
Disadvantages: Some staff have poor product knowledge

...poorly & that included the Bank of Scotland, part of Halifax Bank of Scotland or HBOS for short. Courtesy of the BBC the final results read: (Percentage figure is the amount of customers satisfied) 1, First Direct 87.2% 2, Smile 81.8% 3, Co-op Bank 73.9% 4, Royal Bank of Scotland 51.3% 5, Nationwide 47.9% 6, Yorkshire Bank 43.3% 7, Clydesdale Bank 38.2% 8, Alliance & Leicester 36.13 9, Nat West 33.8% 10, Lloyds TSB 29.9% 11, HSBC Bank ...
...had been with the Clydesdale Bank since I was a schoolboy, a Scottish based but Australian owned bank. In recent years the service they provided declined, the cash machines were forever empty; the queues at the branches were getting longer with less staff serving & the interest rate on my current account became laughable. Apart from that, they did away with the enquires desk at my local branch forcing you to queue for the slightest enquiry, pester ... Read review

Advantages: Reasonable service for Halifax customers
Disadvantages: Bad news for Bank of Scotland customers

...time there was a charming bank called Bank of Scotland, which really cared about customer service... Bank of Scotland merged with Halifax to create HBOS. Before the merger, we were reassured that nothing major would change, accounts and services would not be affected, and generally life would go on as we knew it. What actually happened pains me greatly as, up till the merger changes, Bank of Scotland was one of my favourite banks. Non-Branch Based ...
...not yet transferred all the bank accounts to the new (Halifax) system. Our current account was on the new (Halifax) system and our instant access savings account was on the old (Bank of Scotland) system. The accounts were not converted to branch based accounts; the savings account was just left in limbo - barely accessible by peeved staff. Telephone Banking There used to be a 'free' phone number for 'Banking Direct' telephone ... Read review

Advantages: It does exactly what it says on the tin. Good customer service, great account card.
Disadvantages: Haven't experienced any.

...ever got to an off-shore bank account before I joined the Bank of Scotland. I've been with them for over six months now, and on the whole, my experience has been good. For a student, there are three things about a bank account that you want to see: stupidly large overdraft limits, bank managers with friendly-looking faces, and shiny free gifts. Impressively enough, the Bank of Scotland manages all three. A first-year overdraft limit of £1250 (recently ...
...despite my pathetic pleas, the Bank of Scotland wouldn't lend me anything to tide me over until the cheque finally came through. I was somewhat disappointed at the time, given their promotional paraphenalia which promised so much. Since that initial glitch, however, I have to say that on the whole I have been quite impressed with the bank. They leave me to use their facilities in peace, without endless junk mail or stomach-churning messages popping ... Read review

Advantages: guess it's safer than keeping it in a mattress, just.
Disadvantages: Lying branch staff, horrendous charges

...I have been with the Bank of Scotland for as long as I can remember, probably about 18 years, however I am about to close my account because I have become increasingly annoyed with their treatment of me as a customer. My home branch is Portobello in Edinburgh and I only did my banking there until I left home and moved in to the centre of town. The first problems I started to have were when I turned 18. I went into the nearest branch to where I lived ...
...had the money in a Bank of Scotland account to clear off my Bank of Scotland phoneline loan, and they had no way of electronically transfering the funds, I have to write and post them a cheque. Does that seem slightly backwards to anyone else? Anyway, whilst all this is happening, I am getting charged £20 - £30 pounds every time I go over my overdraft limit or a direct debit doesn't clear. I am also paying interest on my overdraft and a £15 'maintenence ... Read review

Advantages: Basically works OK for me, internet banking
Disadvantages: I'm not exactly in love with the service

Ah, Bank of Scotland and me. The ultimate love/hate relationship, except without, you know, the love. Actually, I liken it more to a marriage of convenience, complete with the 7 year itch. I think about leaving, often, but I never quite work up the energy. And just as I am about to finally pack my moneybags and split, something happens to keep me hanging on. I really have banked with BoS for 7 years- ever since I moved to Scotland. In that time, ...
...one day I came across Bank of Scotland's website. Lo, I discovered internet banking. You might have thought that as a customer of some standing, they would have sent me a letter or something to let me know, but hey, let's not sweat the small stuff. I'm a big girl, I signed up myself. Actually, it's not terribly straightforward to sign up. It involves various letters and applications and a bit of telephoning the Internet helpdesk and so forth. And ... Read review

Advantages: Where do I start? -Everything
Disadvantages: None

...I have been with the Royal Bank Of Scotland for over 5 years now before that I tried Natwest, HSBC but The Royal Bank of Scotland and the services they over beat any other I know. Morgages - Selection of morgages and interest rates are excellent. Bank Accounts - They have an excellent range to suit the individual with great interest rates. Repayment Loans - The interest Rates are brilliant, especially if you are an existing customer and have a Royalties Gold Account. The Royal Bank of Scotland offer an internet banking which is great, the site can be accessed quickly and efficiently and you can do all your banking from home - its great! The different services they offer are exceptionally beneficial and I would recommend everyone to bank with the Royal Bank of Scotland. The staff and service received is second to none.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Free banking
Disadvantages: Not enough branches

...When I was a student and a young adult I belonged to so many different banks and fell out with just as many. The introduction to Williams and Glyns = a merchant bank saw a change in my attitude. No problems with them and then, when they were taken over or amalgamated with The Royal Bank of Scotland, I stayed. Now,many years later, I have to confess that the Royal Bank of Scotland is certainly the best bank I have ever had dealings with. They are so helpful and supportive. They will waive charges if you have a good enough excuse and they have given me and several friends free life insurance for £1000 for the past three years or so with no hassle or fuss to buy. The end result is that I would not now swap banks even when I have been offered financial inducements to do so.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average not helpful

Advantages: cheap travel insurance, 50% off top hotels, commission free money
Disadvantages: £5 account charge per month

...The Royal Bank of Scotland's Royalties account is a must if you travel in the UK or abroad or if you ever use foreign currency! When you open your Royal Bank of Scotland 'Royalties' account you automatically become an Entertainment Member, which is a world wide organisation giving you up to 50% discount on hotel bills. You can use it in the UK and most other countries in hotel like Stakis, Jarvis etc. Also any foreign currency or travellers cheques you take out with a Royalties account are commission free and you are given access to really cheap travel insurance too. I can't recommmend it enough!... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful