Advantages: over the counter transactions
Disadvantages: little reward, especially for long term savers

...I joined the Nationwide Building Society ( a mutual building society) in 1973, originally with the prospect of obtainging a mortgage when I got married. I am still a member today. The interest rate I recieve on my account is around 1% (before tax). I also have an account with Direct Line bank (a non - mutual) and obtain almost the same amount in interest from Direct Line for £6 in one account than I do for £100 in Nationwide. Although its not quite comparing like for like, (direct line takes three days to transfer money to my account, and Nationwide is over the counter, it still shows the different interest rate that can be obtained. As a member of Nationwide for almost 30 years I do not consider myself to be a "carpetbagger", but I think it's time for Nationwide to convert to a bank, allowing me to be given a reward for the years... Read review

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Advantages: In article
Disadvantages: None by me!

...I opened a Nationwide Smart account, last week and I have to say it has been brilliant! I am almost 16, so at the moment there are not many options for my banking arrangements; but Nationwide offer me Internet Banking, 7.07% interest and a cash card. There is a Nationwide branch where I live too, which makes paying in money easy. The internet banking allows me to print out a statement and other things including setting up standing orders and transferring money to different accounts. For more information please go to www.nationwide.co.uk... Read review

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Advantages: Good interest rate and great service.
Disadvantages: E-banking is complicated to set up.

...I have been with Nationwide for some time, in fact it is the Nationwide that my parents chose when they set up an account for me when I was a child! I use the Nationwide mainly for savings and have my current account with the HSBC. Nationwide provide a myriad of different accounts. There are accounts for youngsters that start with a £1 deposit, current account, savings accounts, bonus savings accounts and more recently e-banking accounts. They also provide competitive ISA account (that tend to be ranked among the bets in the UK) and competitive mortgage rates that were recently the lowest of all the main building societies and banks. The e-savings account that Nationwide offer is particularly interesting because of its high interest rate (7% at the time of writing). However, the process of setting this up is over complicated. You have... Read review

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Advantages: intrest rate
Disadvantages: none that i can think of

...the nationwide b s offers 6.95% on childrens accounts with a min balence of 1 pound its amazing how much childrens accounts will grow and grow and grow children under 7 need a trustee but once they reach 7 they can have the account in their own name and at 12 they can have a card to use in the a t m machines and nationwide don't charge for using other banks or building socs machines those younger savers receive a booklet and a regular magazine with offers and older savers get an opening pack which is a great way to encourage younger people to save with a great intrest rate too!... Read review

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Advantages: Competitive rates
Disadvantages: No windfalls

...There's a lot of talk about "carpetbagging" these days, whereby savers deposit a relatively small sum of money into a Building Society account in the hope of gaining a substantial windfall. Most Building Societies have now put up defences against such practices, and therefore savers should not open an account with a windfall in mind, as they will be disappointed! Unfortunately, the Nationwide is one such Building Society that will not pay windfalls to new members. In fact, any new members must sign to acknowledge that they have no windfall rights. But, this opinion is not about windfalls; it is about the Nationwide and how it compares as a Building Society. The Nationwide claims to be the Number One Building Society. Because it is still a mutual Building Society (ie owned by its members, not shareholders) it is very competitive... Read review

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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

...Nationwide, one of the largest Building Society's left today, still operates very efficiently on the High Street. Whenever you have to pop into 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 etc, whereby you are saving regular amounts monthly or whenever you wish. Most of these accounts are opertaed via a Passbook,which you take with you each time you wish to add funds or withdraw money. But dawn of internet banking and all the banks... Read review

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Advantages: all on line and good interest rates
Disadvantages: must have an appropriate account first to use e-saving account

...I have recently signed up with Nationwide to use their new e-saving account. They have an excellent rate of saving on just £1, currently at 7.0%. The service is well run and it feels secure to use. Signing on for this service is relatively easy providing security ifromation, Nationwide then write to you with your customer number and pass number to access the on line services. You can use the e-saving account if you have a Flexi account (if you don't have one you can also apply on line) you then transfer money from your normal account into the e-savings account. This service is espescially if your normal high street bank fails to offer current savings account with attractive interest rates like Nationwide. Would encourage people to use this account, very good.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great service
Disadvantages: none

...I have been a loyal customer of nationwide for at least 8 years now. There are many reasons why I have stayed with the nationwide, it is mainly because of convinence and great interest on my savings. The nationwide offers a great customer service and always with a smile, the nationwide is also going from strengths to strenghths with agressive future plans which they are looking to employ. The nationwide offers a wide range of different saving, loans and pensions which is so very helpful to all of its users. As well as the great range of services they offer, they also offer different services for differebt age groups. I have a smart account as well as a flexaccount, both offer a very competitive range of interest not to metion internet banking, cash points all over the uk, 24hr helpline/banking and very accessable branches... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

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 big? Too big to serve its customers correctly and efficiently? Is it there purely to make money forgetting about customers needs? I have found, over the past two years since it has been the leading building society, that 99 times out of 100, I enter the branch, (and I use more than one branch!), and I have to queue for a long time. In many insatnces I queue to the door, in fact sometimes... Read review

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Advantages:
Disadvantages:

...The Nationwide has some off the best interest rates i have come across during my searches on the internet and the high street. The SMART account offers a rate of 7.07%. The drawbask of this account is that it is only available for the under 17 year olds. Major bummer! Ok dont despair the e-savings account that they offer is close on its heals with a outstanding 7%. This account can be combined in some shape or form with the nationwide current account which is also quite good but the rates are low as with all current accounts. So check them out their worth it... Read review

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