HALIFAX

Advantages: Friendly efficient service
Disadvantages: none

.... However, I didn?t find them to have a very ethical approach towards their customers, after going over my overdraft limit by 72p, a mistake I quickly rectified. Despite my quick reaction to this measly but misfortunate mistake over 18 months I was hit witch charges month after month, totalling over £2000, which took me over 1 year and a solicitor?s letter to re-claim. Throughout those 18 months I was hit with bailiff?s letters, and also received a letter that came on blank paper, simply showing the words ?URGENT, Contact Ron on (for example) 07665243356. That was it. But it turned out to be The Co-op sneakily trying to get me to call them, as if I had previously avoided contacting them. Enter the Halifax. Those irritating all-singing, all-dancing adverts (you may call them) actually caught my eye and attracted me to the Halifax. I found...

mi_ke 09.06.2009 · Read review
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Review of Halifax

Trust Nationwide

Advantages: Efficient, reliable and reasonable value
Disadvantages: No obvious problems

...expected: they should not be anything surprising. Nonetheless, there are sectors of the market where the risk is not just of poor returns but of actual losses. Over the long term one can perhaps ride these out, but it's vital to remember that the risks are such that one can lose money on equities. Now, there are two things that one can do to limit these risks and their consequences. The first is to adopt the principle that one should never invest more in these investments than one is prepared to lose. So, something which is far from guaranteed may default and pay out nothing or very little: if you don't put in money which you can't afford to lose, you won't be finanicially crippled, whatever happens. Second, however, you can diversify, and that is where unit trusts come in. Instead of risking your capital on a small selection of equities...

richardashdowne 03.04.2003 · Read review
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Review of Nationwide Unit Trust Managers

Halifax - infelixible, inconsiderate, and greedy

Advantages: wide range of accounts, telephone and internet banking
Disadvantages: let me down in an emergency, refused flexibility when I needed it

...I?ve had an account with the Halifax since I was 13, when I joined a choir that paid me for singing with them. I didn't actually have a choice about which bank to put my money with - as far as my mum was concerned, it was her bank, it worked for her, so i was going with them. You can either apply the old fashioned way by going into a branch, or you can do it over the phone or the internet. I myself applied in branch, as it was directly opposite the supermarket where I go food shopping, so didn't involve an extra trip. You need to take ID with you when applying - including at least one photo ID - either a passport or driving license. You also need something such as a utility bill as proof of address. There are several different kinds of accounts which they will discuss with you, all with different features. Once you?ve opened...

Thehonesttruth 05.07.2007 · Read review
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Review of Halifax

Halifax Mortgages

Advantages: good for 1st time buyers
Disadvantages: did not offer a good rate after fixed term ended, overcharge customers

...*This is the second review I posted on Ciao and have edited it as it needed more information and an update* For the purpose of this review I am writing about my experience of having a mortgage with Halifax and am not reviewing Halifax and it?s services as a whole. I am very much aware that for some they have had a great experience with them, but for me after being a loyal customer for such a long time. I felt that they had let me down and recently I realised that I had overpaid when my mortgage came to an end and successfully received a refund from them. Halifax is a leading building society and has been providing mortgages for many years. I had been a customer of Halifax for over 10 years as my parents insisted when I was younger that I had a Building Society savings account (at the time it was the Little Extra Club) so that...

sweetdaisy 21.10.2006 (19.08.2007) · Read review
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Review of Halifax Mortgages

Helpful Halifax

Advantages: good staff, easy application process
Disadvantages: I am still still waiting for one

...I have been with the Halifax for about six years now, and have had no problems whatsoever. I have had a savings account for that time, and from when I first started, I have had no complaints. The staff were very friendly and helpful when I went in and told them what I wanted, and it did not take long for them to set up my account. Only a book account as I was so young, but as soon as I turned 16 and started earning some money, they gave me a cardcash account, which comes with a Solo card (very handy when shopping on the net, as more and more sites except it) and did not charge me for withdrawing cash from any cash machine. Any cash machine, even Natwests! I have since opened an account online which is called a 'Websaver' which has a very competitive interest rate, and can be accessed very easily from any computer, ensuring you don...

danradders 30.12.2000 · Read review
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Review of Halifax

Misdirected cheque at Halifax Mortgages, 2007

Advantages: None
Disadvantages: Dishonest mortgage staff

...changed details which made no sense to me. A Halifax employee at their Leeds-based mortgage office had altered the cheque and paid it into a private account! Cut a long story short - weeks of anguish and dealing with their almost helpful fraud office (all at my time and expense) getting letters referring to the 'disputed use of my cheque book' (!) and the matter was resolved - probably because I wanted to call the police. Mortgage account was closed, deeds were sent and all finished but never an apology and never an offer to compensate. I was too proud to go grovelling for it but they should have treated me better than this. It is now about a year later and my delight is to tell anyone who will listen about my experience of the Halifax. Their customer 'service' stank (except at Huddersfield branch). Don't trust them with your...

Shytalker 08.08.2008 · Read review
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Review of Halifax

Halifax Hassle

Advantages: Have a website so you don't have to come into contact with their miserable staff!
Disadvantages: See above!

...My husband has had a current account with the Halifax for many years. When we got married the account was changed to a joint one. The problems that we have had with this bank are not really with the services that they provide. We get our cheque books and statements when they are due etc. Our problems have been with the actual service within the various different branches that we have visited. The unhelpfulness and miserable staff are not confined to one branch it seems. My first bad experience happened recently. We wanted to buy a new car and finally had the funds available to do this! We went into our local branch on a Saturday morning hoping to withdraw £3000 from our account. We approached the counter and asked for the cash. We were told very abruptly that if we had not ordered that sum of money then we could not possibly withdraw...

Luckystar28 23.01.2002 · Read review
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Review of Halifax

Halifax Online Banking

Advantages: Handy to keep an eye on your account
Disadvantages: none so far

...After having problems with my previous bank, I decided to open an account with halifax, this was about five years ago. The reason I chose Halifax Well they were always advertised on tv and I needed a new account for my wages to be paid into, so I went in made an appointment and opened my current account, which did`nt take long and the staff were friendly and helpful. Other services available at Halifax Credit cards Mortgages Personnel loans Savings and Investments Insurance Share Dealing However I basically use my account as a savings account and dont have any Shares or Credit cards through Halifax. Five years later Five years on and I cant say anything bad about the services provided by Halifax, Eighteen months ago was when I first started to use online banking, I found their web address at the back of my...

jenny967 06.01.2008 · Read review
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Review of Halifax Online Banking

Halifax

Advantages: excellent on line banking
Disadvantages: none

...The Halifax has excellent on-line banking. You chose a password, account sign in name and you answer some questions when you sign up for online banking with them which are security questions that when you sign in you have to answer that they pick to ask. I have 2 accounts with the Halifax and find them very easy to manage. You can apply for new accounts, credit cards and loans on there website and they also offer you the chance to buy shares. When you log in you will be taken to your bank account selection page were you decide which account you want to look at then click it. You can see what direct debits you have going out of your bank and when, get a statement and view it when ever you want instead of waiting every month or couple of months for them to send it to you. You can choose to view all your bank transfers, credits...

shugardream 29.10.2002 · Read review
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Review of Halifax Online Banking

Halifax online banking

Advantages: Manage all your financial transactions online
Disadvantages: can't deposit!

...have been a customer of the Halifax Bank for over 30 years now. When they first introduced on line banking I immediately signed up to this and what a boon it has been! Signing up is an easy process and you are required to choose a user name and password and to provide answers to several security questions. Once you have received your logging in details from the Halifax signing in is simple. You just have to log in with your user name, password and the answer to a security question. On gaining access to your acount your account information will be displayed. It is possible to have most of your accounts included in the online service including current accounts, mortgages, loans, credit cards etc Once you have registered you are able to conduct most of your banking transactions online including setting up standing orders and direct...

Krazikas 30.12.2008 · Read review
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Review of Halifax Online Banking