Advantages: Been around for years (not me - the bank) Disadvantages: Some staff need better training and mortgages are hard to get if self employed
...been a loyal customer to Nationwide for a grand total of err, dare I say it - 37 years. Yes, since the day I was born my dad deposited a pound a week in the savings scheme at that time. It's been around longer than I have and dad used to save there when he was a knee high to a grass hopper and he's 74 years young now!
Nationwide is still a mutual, which means it's owned by its members, so to speak. This doesn't mean you receive a hefty cheque each ... ...free meal ticket, think again. Nationwide have made it so tight that anyone opening an account now have to waiver any chance they might have to get free shares and donate them to charity if Nationwide go PLC. So nah nah nah nah nah! Only Portman Building Society is the other remaining mutual and that has the same tie in clause.
So why have I stuck with this NBS (as I will now abbreviate it to) for more years than I care to mention? Because I am ...
mrsmopples 02.09.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Nationwide Building Society
Advantages: Great internet Banking Disadvantages: none
I read a review on nationwide which said it didn't have good internet banking. I would beg to differ, perhaps the four years since it was written has given them time to improve! First point out of the way and onto my full review.
Nationwide, a company well known for it's charitable atributes. It sponsors Swindon football team, their youth teams and is well known for it's donations. It's also one of the best employers, I challenge you to find an ... ...I popped into my local Nationwide branch and asked to have a look at my options
The most friendly person in the world greeted me. All I told him was how much money I had and how much I would need instant access to. He asked me a few more questions and gave me a few options. With my consent he proceeded to set up 3 accounts for me. These accounts were explained in detail (Current, ISA, E-savings) by him as he was setting it up. He also made conversation ...
C_W_Monkey 05.03.2004 (31.03.2004)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Nationwide Building Society
Advantages: Excellent internet banking Disadvantages: Online better than branches
...my main bank account to Nationwide some 6 months ago, having had a joint account with them for 3-4 years.
Over that time, I have had a chance to see improvements to their internet service to the point where I can recommend this to all.
Banking is free, including cash withdrawals from overseas machines (rare in banking and useful for holidaying).
The do not mess around with 'one upmanship' - there is not a platinum credit card !!!! and they genuinely ... ...access to your bankings with Nationwide (but not to any other company - there is no 'account management' function). You still get a paper statement on your main accounts and an annual statement on your e-Savings accounts.
Mostly 24 hours service with some off times for maintenance. They do have a 'traffic light' that tells you if planned maintenance is near.
All your current accounts (Flex) are shown, together with credit card and savings (e-Savings) ...
a4angus 12.03.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Nationwide Building Society
Advantages: Customer focused with a full range of products. Disadvantages: Erm... Read the op and see.
The Nationwide Building Society has had several names over the years as they have acquired and merged-with other companies. I've been a customer since I left school, which covers at least two of those name changes, and loyalty of thet degree is most unlike me!
Before settling with the Nationwide I tried them all, banks and building societies both. They all charged too much, couldn't offer products or services I wanted, and treated me like my account ... ...freebie of some description. Nationwide changed that.
>>> "I am not a number, I am a free man!" How?
(Forgive any inaccuracies, I believe the following are true)
* Telephone banking: They were the second company in the UK to offer this, and the first Building Society. To add to that, the phone-pad was available to borrow (£10 deposit) instead of to buy as was being done by the competition.
* PC Home Banking: Before the internet was big, Nationwide ...
one47 21.08.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Nationwide Building Society
Advantages: Great customer service and competitive! Disadvantages: Occasional long queues (but maybe only a local problem)!
...first became a customer with Nationwide Building Society in April 1999. This was around the time that the government introduced tax-free savings accounts, or ISAs. I had no prior experience of Nationwide, but decided to open an ISA with them because of their competitive rates and recommendations from friends.
I believe that I made the correct decision. Not only have they remained competitive over the two years, but their customer service and branch ... ...VISA, they pointed out that Nationwide do not do this. So I transferred my current account to Nationwide (the application for which was very straight forward and fast) and opened a Flexaccount. Furthermore, this Flexaccount can be linked with an internet savings account that offers competitive interest rates. Transferrals between the two are simple and happen within one to two days.
Another feature that I enjoyed about the Flexaccount is that interest ...
paulruegg 22.01.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Nationwide Building Society
Advantages: Good selection of financial products Disadvantages: If your requesting a transfer don't expect it to be easy
...they were bought out by Nationwide Building Society.
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 ... ...the coloured rows. Within the Nationwide book these rows are a light blue as too are the columns and column headings...it's ok as long as you've got a good pair of eyes!!!
Transfers are the biggest fault with this building society as far as I'm concerned. After several months with them I was offered a better rate of interest elsewhere so decided to transfer my existing ISA from them to a new provider. I approached the new building society in October ...
K1r5ty21 28.08.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Nationwide Building Society
Advantages: Customer Service, online facilities, respectable interest rates Disadvantages: Range of accounts
...opened an account with the nationwide when I was ten years old, initially a ‘Smart’ account for youngsters which offers a high interest rate. I now have a Flex account with the building society and have been very happy with the customer service and impressive online banking facilities, which is very simple to set-up.
Unfortunately the Nationwide and I have become more and more attached recently. They don’t offer an account for ... ...card – only Visa cards seem to be available, which is out of reach for most students. This meant I had to look elsewhere for a student account, not something I was particularly wanting to do becaues of the Nationwide’s excellent customer service – friendly manner and comfortable environments.
Besides not being able to offer me a debit card on a current account, I have only encountered one issue which consistently frustrates me ...
ali007 19.08.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Nationwide Building Society
Advantages: Great High Street bank (building society), helpful friendly staff Disadvantages: internet banking - a complete waste of time, very slow, no staff to run it
...your local branch or any Nationwide the staff are generally very friendly and helpful - as they are in the few building societies left in the UK. You are not fobbed down by some young inexperienced new staff that has just been on some banking training scheme and does not have a clue about life. At nationwide the staff are experienced, mature and "real".
Nationwide BS offers a range of traditional savings accounts eg Bonus Saver, Capital Builder ... ...the bandwagon. By contrast, recently, Nationwide have moved into field of Internet banking offering one of the most competitive interest rates on the market around on its e-savings internet banking account (currently 7.0%). However, this internet service and its online application procedures are extremely slow. And all e-mails are not replied to or after 10 days you get a response.
My verdict? NATIONWIDE is an excellent High Street building society ...
Connoisseur_Haggler 06.10.2000 (01.02.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Nationwide Building Society
...have been a customer of Nationwide now for nearly 12 years, opening my first account when I was employed by them on a Youth Training Scheme. When I became a full time member of Nationwide's staff I eventually went on to take my mortgage account with them also. Obviously getting a reduced rate of interest as a staff member meant that it made sense to take my mortgage with them, but I can honestly say that their rates have consistently remained about ... ...convenient.
The majority of Nationwide staff are always really helpful and again I know from experience of working for them just how much importance the company places on their staff treating the customer politely and cheerfully. This makes a change from the often sour faces that I have come across in some of the banks over the years.
I would recommend Nationwide very highly to any would be savers or borrowers out there. ...
MotherLove 10.04.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Nationwide Building Society
Advantages: internet banking makes life a lot easier Disadvantages: can't really think of any
...accounts from the Halifax to Nationwide because Halifax were trying to charge me for every service going (including that ridiculous cash machine charge). Nationwide don't charge for everyday banking and their internet banking option is really good as I have a mobility problem and sometimes cannot get to my local branch. The e-savings account offers a fantastic rate of interest and is well worth opening.
I did have a small teething problem with my ... ...number, someone talked me through what I needed to do and they couldn't do enough to help me at that point. The staff in my local branch are equally as helpful.
I really would recommend anyone to join Nationwide.
By the way, did you know that they have a chrity arm to them and if they ever decided to become a plc. the profit from that would be given to charity. ...
alisondrugan 05.10.2000
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Review of Nationwide Building Society
Advantages: Secure, easy to use online banking Disadvantages: None
...that I continue to use Nationwide Building Society for all of my financial needs is that they offer superb interest rates on my money. The online banking facility that they provide is very easy to use and there are no major security problems such as the much-publicised Barclays incident. As a student, I find Nationwide's current account more than meets my needs, and the new "E-savings" account is the best way to invest any money that you may have ...
mark152 09.08.2000
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Review of Nationwide Building Society
Advantages: Friendly staff, wide range of products to suit all, competitive rates. Disadvantages: Shuts at 12pm on a Saturday
...have had an account with Nationwide since I was around 5 years old. I suppose I feel a loyalty to them as I have never had any problems with them. The staff have always been helpful and friendly and I like the fact they are a building society, not a bank. They offer a wide range of products but here are ones I have used. Smart Account;
I had a smart account when I was younger, the smart account is tax free and has competitive interest rates on every ... ...the different mortgage options and Nationwide came out tops, offering us the best deal at the most competitive rates. We went for it and once it was time to renew our mortgage, we went back to the same mortgage advisor. Once again, Nationwide were offering the best deal. I only have one complaint; it is that it is only open until 12pm on a Saturday. Before maternity leave I used to struggle to get into town to the bank before this time. After all, ...
ashton08 12.09.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Nationwide Building Society
Advantages: High interest; free cash machines Disadvantages: Fairly long queues
...several companies and have found Nationwide to be among the best. Probably best of all are its interest rates - among the highest on the high street for current or savings accounts. I have also found customer service very helpful as I have used it several times - the telephone number is also free. I pay no cash machine charges because all LINK machines are free, and I can also use Cirrus abroad for a fee that compares well with other banks or building ... ...machine features offered are extremely wide-ranging, such as making a deposit; a service not offered by very many other banks or building societies. One small problem I have found is that queues can tend to get too long, especially at luchtimes, because there are rarely more than 3 tills open at once. I am also very pleased with the online banking facility offered, which is very helpful and easy to sign up for. ...
PoloFruits 22.11.2000
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Nationwide Building Society
Advantages: You can open an account for £1 Disadvantages: Everything else - though they have nice colours on their signs.
...of opening an account with NATIONWIDE then go to the ALLIANCE AND LEICESTER instead - it's a move you won't live to regret. Superior accounts, superior branch staff and much much superior customer service.
Update 18.10.05
This is a good one. When Nationwide decided I wasn't worthy to have my name on the same card as theirs, they told me that I could ask for an upgrade to my card in 6 months. HEY PEOPLE!!! GUESS WHAT!!! THEY DON'T EVEN MAKE THAT ... ...there aren't any staff at Nationwide capable of creative thought and they'll use the pre-generated script as set out in the Branch Manual, Section 8, Para 1 - 2 "Stock replies for dealing with customer complaints". Any breach of these procedures will result in the said member of staff being transferred to a real bank... errrr... Sorry... the expression "real bank" does not compute!!! ****Nationwide computer system explodes and staff have to adopt ...
surfcrazedscot 21.04.2005 (09.11.2005)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Nationwide Building Society
Advantages: good services Disadvantages: slow queues
Nationwide Building Society as it is now called,after a few minor title changes over the years with mergers etc.
Britains biggest building society! Yes it may well be.
Nationwide! Yes it sure is with large and small branches scattered throughout the country.
Accessible branches! Yes, most are very accessible and relatively convenient.
Wide! I have put this word in just to see if others agree. As I have said it is Nationwide, but has it got too ... ...like fashion!
All that said, the Nationwide offer good savers rates and good services comptitive with most other similar societies. Mortgages, loans, ISAs, Insurances, Conveyancing etc etc.
Nationwide, please realise customers needs and employ more staff at busy times to keep the traffic flowing at a good pace! ...
willsmj 21.09.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Nationwide Building Society
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