Banking & Personal Finance > Loan Lenders

Advantages: None whatsover!!!
Disadvantages: Poor customer service, rubbish security, call centres abroad!!

I banked with the Abbey for all of 11 months. It was the worst 11 months of my life!!!!!!!!!!! I was previously with the Halifax and unfortunately I encountered fraud on my account with them. Whilst Halifax were investigating I decided to open a new account and throght Abbey would be a nice change. Oh I was so wrong! I applied for a current account, application was confirmed and I was told I would get a debit card with my account. Fast forward ...
...the fact I had told Abbey that I had been a victim of fraud at my other bank I could only have a cashcard. Anyway I had to stay with them as I needed a bank account for my wages to be paid in. Wages got paid in and I proceeded to my local Abbey branch to withdraw my £600 rent payment. I get asked for ID and proof of address which luckily I had. No problems there. Next month I went in to withdraw the same amoun again. Didn't get asked for any ID ... Read review

Advantages: Ethical, Friendly, Personal, Easy To Manage
Disadvantages: None!

I have been banking with the Cooperative Bank for just under a year now and I have to say that they are the best bank that I have ever dealt with! I currently hold a Cashminder and Smart Saver account with them. I have a debit card for the Cashminder account and a Link Cash Card for the Smart Saver account. The online banking is easy and straight forward and you can manage your money online 24 hours a day. You can arrange and sort out your direct ...
...doddle as long as you have the recipients bank details. The telephone banking is excellent. The staff are friendly, courteous and they listen to your questions and always want to help you out. There is a automated service but you can get through this very quickly by pressing just a few buttons. The statements are sent to me like clockwork and are easy to understand. It even includes an international bank account number which you can use if you ... Read review

Advantages: During a one hour interview was offerred and given on glass of water
Disadvantages: Overbearing interviewing officer with very limited product knowledge

...extend my banking arrangements with Lloyds tsb Scotland via the internet which resulted on paperwork at a local , which in my experience proved to be disastrous, whilst endeavouring to cope with the wishes of the banks H.O. I found the member of staff I dealt with inexperienced on company matters and of dubious stature, i.e maintained themself to be branch manager but conveniently signed paperwork presented as a customer advisor, I do and would add ...
...used and abused. I did take matters arising to the TSB help line and whilst on line was passed to four different people eventually speaking with a bank manager south of the border who new nothing of myself and on realising my accounts had nothing to do with his branch dispensed with my enquiry with assurances which came to nothing, noting it did take a further three telephone calls next day to have my concerns addressed and two further calls later ... Read review

Advantages: Paying off your mortgage quickly and saving you thousands of pounds
Disadvantages: You need a lot of common sense and future vision to benefit from this account

...it up at my local Royal Bank of Scotland. As for the common sense approach to this account. You can take payment breaks when you like, take more money out on your house and buy a car, holiday or home improvements, as long as you pay the interest the One Account are happy. But I can not emphasise enough that if you don't pay the debt, then you will stay in debt, it is the same no matter if it is a credit card bill or £100,000 on your house….the debt ...
...am not going to harp on for ages about the pro's and con's of this mortgage, but the smart money is held in these accounts, and as long as you are careful, sensible and have a desire to actually own your house one day then this is the best form of mortgage ever, it really is that simple. Feel free to read reviews about these guys not passing on interest rate cuts etc, SO WHAT!!! Come on, in reality these days of petrol price hikes and food price ... Read review

Advantages: Customer Service, Account variety, Good interest rates and good website/online banking.
Disadvantages: Many travel charges for withdrawel.

I've been with Natwest for many a year now and I've had absolutely no problems, I wouldn't switch banks unless I have to. The great thing about Natwest is the variety of choices of Bank accounts, the majority depending on your income, e.g. Gold Premier. I've had the best experience with their customer service and helpline than with any other bank, it is absolutely superb, they are extremely quick to answer e-mails, they post replacement cards/cheque ...
...frustrating. Their website and online banking is also particularly helpful. Natwest may not be the cheapest bank when it comes to charges but I think that the customer service makes up for that. To round it up, NatWest is a fantastic bank and I thoroughly recommend considering them! ... Read review