Woolwich

Advantages: Good return on ISA
Disadvantages: Poor access to branch for disabled

...a letter from her local Woolwich branch confirming that her Maxi ISA had matured. The letter suggested that she should call into her branch to arrange a further investment for the funds. I should explain that my mother is eighty seven years of age incredibly bright and cheerful, but due to arthritis, confined to a wheelchair for outings. She telephoned me and asked when I could take her to the Woolwich and subsequently made an appointment with the ...
...mother, having been with the Woolwich for some twenty years, would need some form of utility account proving her current address and identity. I regret that at this point I intervened suggesting that she had brought the letter that the Woolwich had written to her together with her bank card. Miss Whoeveritwas became quite insistent that monies could only be invested with proper identification and proof of address and suggested that my mother should ... Read review

Advantages: Numerous locations,range of products offered
Disadvantages: Falling standards of service,change of direction

...been a customer of the Woolwich for around 10 years now.During that time I have watched as they have gone from one of the better buiding societies, through mutialisation, to where they are today, owned by Barclays and run as a profit driven franchise type outlet. I chose Woolwich all those years ago as the local branch was well staffed by a group of ladies who always gave very good service, as well as being friendly and polite. During my time as ...
...whole thing. Barclays purchased Woolwich because of its large customer base.These customers will now be targeted(no doubt in the new booths) to buy a range of products ranging from Insurance,Investments,ISA,making wills, in fact anything that will bring a commission charge and thus increase profitability. I know this is the way business operates but I would rather go into a branch where I am treated not just as a potential commission maker but ... Read review

Advantages: Possible Barclays takeover looming
Disadvantages: Your money could go ANYWHERE

Having banked with The Woolwich for 14 l-o-n-g years, I have decided that enough is enough. Sure I received my free shares a few years ago, and who knows where the Barclays take over plans will lead. BUT having had the most slapdash, shoddy and downright incompetent service imaginable I'm off. Most problems seemed to start since the conversion from a Building Society. Within a week I had a £270 cheque paid INTO my account, which I knew nothing about. ...
...a VERY long story short, Woolwich staff were uninterested, WE got the police involved, who's advise was that no fraud had been committed, only incompetence on the banks behalf (still can't figure that one out).We eventually had the monies refunded,although snide remarks about me using the internet abounded. In her infinite wisdom the bank manager told us NEVER to use our cards in shops etc., she'd never dream of it, its just not safe!!!! All this ... Read review

Advantages: The best, simple, no-frills accounts around.
Disadvantages: Charge you heavily if you want more complicated stuff.

...and I have to say, Woolwich have coped admirably with this. The cashiers now know me almost personally, and are always friendly and helpful. They'll always do what I tell 'em, and they'll do it with a smile. This is a lot better than I've seen with other banks. For example, today I went into HSBC in Merry Hill to withdraw some money over-the-counter, I asked the cashier, "Is it possible to withdraw from my Woolwich account in here?" Male Cashier: ...
...of your account, not your Woolwich part" ***TALKING BOLLOCKS ALERT*** Me: "This is not a Visa Card..." Male Cashier: "Yes we know, but we can't withdraw money from your Woolwich account, it will have to be from the visa part because..." Me: "No, this is NOT a Visa Card.. look, Visa ELECTRON, not Visa" Male Cashier: "Oh.. well, what do you think Shirley? (name changed)" Female Cashier Shrugs Shoulders. I frown at them both, to tell them off, ... Read review

Advantages: Unhelpful information from Local branch
Disadvantages: Everything

...have been acustomer with the Woolwich for about 5 years changing my current account into the all new open plan about a year ago. I then heard about the merger between Barclays and The Woolwich and I thought time to move having never been a fan of Barclays. I opened an account with Nationwide but before I could get the account up and running I found myself in Hospital following an RTA. In November I made a stupid mistake a wrote acheque from the ...
...I transfered funds to the Woolwich open plan account only to receive two letters, at £27 each, telling me of the obvious, one letter dated on the day of the transaction to credit my account and the other after I had credited the account. I rang the Woolwich and explained that I had made an error, and that I was happy to pay for the first letter but surely the second letter should not stand as I had credited the account in cash. Sorry was the reply ... Read review