Whilst writing about banks (see my opinion on Nationwide), I thought I'd also write about the Halfiax.
I've recently opened an account with Halifax, as their current accounts seem to offer a superb rate of interest (4%), or you can have a Solo card account if you have no credit rating. This all seemed good.
Therefore, I visited the website, which is well laid out, interactive and very informative (despite not listing my local branch). All looked good...
Therefore I went into my local branch (or my closest branch, they've just closed my local branch), and asked to open an account. I knwo that with Nat West you could do it on the spot, in minutes. I was told by Halifax I'd need an appointment, so I waited for about 10 minutes for an appointment to make an appointment. I made the appointment for about 5 days time, as they were fully booked.
I later found out that that time wasn't convenient, so I called back later that day to change the time. I cancelled my old appointment, the person found no others for weeks, and then my old appointment was already booked by this point.
Therefore I gave up, and did everything online, which seems OK.
Overall, I advise from my experience;
-Halifax wasn't built for speed
-Online banking is the fastest way
For customer service, I would rate them average, however their accounts are good, so don't give up!
But stop, you might say, in my Nationwide opinion I say to avoid the banks! I stick with this, the bottom line is that Halifax work for thier shereholders. Therefore, I always have kept my savings with Nationwide, and always will whilst they remain a building society. However, this account with Halifax can't be bad as a woman in Natwest (yes, Natwest) advised me to get it!!!!!
by (29%):
12.11.2001 15:48
Good Op. Glad to see you're back writing OPs!
12.11.2001 13:51
it sounds very interesting. pretty good op. see ya, max.