Advantages: Good selection of financial products Disadvantages: If your requesting a transfer don't expect it to be easy
As a loyal Portman BuildingSociety Customer I was a little sceptical as to what to expect when they were bought out by Nationwide BuildingSociety.
Nationwide claim they are "Proud to be different", and they certainly are. Although they supply a large number of high interest savings accounts, fixed rate ISA's at a whopping 6.15 percent and great value deals on mortgages I noticed a couple of downfalls as well.
With specialised savings accounts customers are normally issued a passbook to track their investment records. Nationwide's Passbook is dark blue in complexion with the Nationwide logo emblazoned on the front in gold. The pages inside in my opinion are not of very good quality especially compared to the offerings of the Yorkshire BuildingSociety and Britannia. In a passbook I like to be able to clearly see my transactions ...
Advantages: Competitive Rates Disadvantages: Only A Few Branches
When I decided to open a savings account I had a good look around at the various options available and eventually settled for an account at the Barnsley BuildingSociety. There were various factors why I chose to open an account with a rather small, and relatively unknown BuildingSociety, which I will detail during the course of this review. First however I will begin with a little bit of background information first.
THE HISTORY
The Barnsley BuildingSociety has a long history. In fact it was established way back in 1853 as the Barnsley Permanent Benefit BuildingSociety.
The initial aim of the company was to enable local people to buy their own residences or other freehold or leasehold property. The Barnsley Permanent Benefit BuildingSociety became incorporated under the BuildingSociety Act of 1874, but at this time ...
Advantages: Very friendly staff, always prepared to help Disadvantages: Mistakes happen freqently.
Sorry but I could not think of a witty title, so I left it very simple!
I started banking with the Nationwide BuildingSociety around 7 years ago, me and my now husband decided to open a joint account as we had been together a year by then and were ready to settle down. He already had a savings account with them so we decided it would be easier and then we could keep the savings account open as well.
We had to make an appointment as we had to take in documents to prove our identity and a utility bill. Off we went on the day of the appointment fully armed with documents and ready to open our first joint account together, oh if only life could be simple!
Now there are several different accounts you can open with the Nationwide BuildingSociety.
Flex Account being the main on although there are basic flex accounts of this if ...
