Banks

Good, freindly and helpful bank

Advantages: Online banking and faster payments
Disadvantages: Slow online application process.

My wife and I opened a Nat west joint account approximately six months ago, the process was slow as I applied on line, but this was never processed, a few weeks later I went in to the branch and the account was open in about 10 minutes. We have a gold account and online banking, transactions from the online account are instant, so I can send money from the account to other banks without any delay and at no extra cost. Personally I think that the ...

Jonathan2712 30.12.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of NatWest

Good bank, poor employer

Advantages: Global business
Disadvantages: The global element is not quite as unified as you may expect

...can say with confidence that HSBC puts the customer at the heart of its business. This statement means more when you consider that I strongly dislike this company on an employer – employee level, yet I still believe that they treat 80% of their customers VERY well. There are endless projects going on, aimed at improving the customer experience, and the branch network is undergoing a major transformation that will help speed up your banking in branch. ...
...credit. HSBC will hunt you down and hassle you every day, this is the policy, and they really don’t see it as an issue. However if you can remain in verdict they will bend over backwards to serve you well. The company offers the full range of core banking facilities; Current Account, Credit Card, Savings and Loans. Also they can open trading accounts and pretty much anything that you need. HSBC are also one of the few ‘global’ banks, and I understand ...

Jonathan2712 30.12.2009 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of HSBC

Best of a bad lot?

Advantages: Two fairly decent savings packages: Regular saver and Golden ISA
Disadvantages: Pushy sales people

...are the plus points for Barclays - 1 They are not owned by the tax payer. 2 There are plans afoot to limit the bonuses at the top for a few years. 3 Their rates aren't that bad at the moment. Let me explain - current inflation rates mean that savers need to get about 3.60%+ on their savings to break even. If you are of modest means, eg saving up to £250 a month, then Barclays regular saver just about equals this rate after tax. Unlike other high ...
...(No current account at Barclays needed to open these accounts). 4 Decent telephone banking system - open much later than their main building society competitor. 5 The adverts are quite catchy. The main disadvantage that I have with Barclays at the moment is their refusal to produce new connect cards without 'contactless technology' (the petty fraudsters' delight chip) and that every time I deal with them the cashier tries to sell me something such ...

Skippy001 25.01.2010 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful
Review of Barclays Bank

A nightmare

Advantages: very friendly, just not helpful
Disadvantages: does anyone there care

...I have now opened up an account with HSBC - my partner and I are closing all 3 of our accounts and nobody seemed to care at Lloyds when I told them that. I have been with Lloyds for 9 years and this mess has made me leave ...

jasmaswes 08.02.2010 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Lloyds TSB

Expensive mortgage application disaster

Advantages: None for me.
Disadvantages: You can, apparently, pay for something you will not receive

...English teacher. I chose the Halifax for small mortgage. I was putting up a 55% deposit on a £65K property. My proven income was confirmed as sufficient. I was asked for and payed £280 for a non returnable valuation fee. I had been with Lloyds (the owners of Halifax) for 40+ years never overdrawn or any other problems. I was told there was no problems and returned to Spain. 2 days later the mortgage was refused and no reason given. Then I received ...
...the mortgage rejection. Surely the Halifax mortgage expert should have known this having seen the sales documentation. Tried to get another mortgage and was offered, by the estate agent, a possible Halifax mortgage if I paid a £290 valuation fee. I have paid for a valuation which I have not received. I am obviously complaining (Ombudsman [apparently bank sponsored without FOI and over 9 months waiting] most appear to receive a letter after over a ...

scruffbag 05.02.2010 · Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Halifax