Banks - Grrr!

Time was when Bank staff knew their customers. I've banked with same branch for over 20 years, popping in and out regularly, and still no one knows me by name!

Sadly it is all about profit.

Change banks Steve! My sister and I have POA for our Mum, we use Lloyds (it's not my own bank.) They have been brilliant, we can talk to them and review things and have easy access at all times. My Mum is on a dwindling income paying for care home fees and we have to be super careful about making the most from this money.

We have very similar circumstances Brue, again paying care costs. Getting that sort of treatment certainly makes me feel like changing banks. Perhaps to ours NatWest, never had any problems getting appointments with them.

Oh how I agree. We are lucky walking distance of both high street banks we use, Nationwide and Santander. Both of these banks have when I've needed it proved excellent customer service, often on the spot or return in an hour or so.

Ditched HSBC soon after it took over Midland, because they said I had to take £3000 instant loan facilityon my account; discussed at length but I couldn't cancel, 'saves asking if you want to borrow', 'causes temptation and debt'I replied. When I said I'd close account teller was stunned!!! 

Recently had cause to go into our local Barclay's, dad banked with them all his life. Bank has moved into bigger premises since Woolworths went under, they took part of their old store, few tellers, wall full of ATM's, random queue in the middle for general questions. ATM's had a couple if dedicated staff, one on general enquiries. Stairs lead to priemer lounge?!?! Personal banking as well. Vast space so you can queue longer . Who's cynical?

I have to say banks not alone in not having individual numbers but its jolly enjoying. Everyone is yreatedas a scammer first respectable person second. Speaks volume of either our society generally or trust in fellow beings. Very sad.

Incridablty years ago before we paid for electric or gas on DD I phoned to pay our bill which was in my husbands name and they wouldn't accept it.  How often does someone offer to psy your household bills???

I think they are all going over to "banks" of ATMs, a team of "greeters" and very few tellers behind a counter. It's getting worse because of the closure of smaller branches where human contact was easier.

I have to say although I don't bank with Lloyds I got an appointment easily to sign off papers locally for my Mums branch which is quite a distance away. They also appeared to understand the stress of the situation and were very helpful generally.

In general I have had no complaints in my dealings with the HSBC staff at my mums bank. They have always been very polite and sorted things out in a timely fashion. It's just these one size fits all call centres I take issue with. I am sure the operative was telling the truth when he said he could not make an appointment before I completed the security questions. As I doubt he could get to the particular screen required. Perhaps it would have facilitated matters if I had told him I just won the lottery and I needed advice on what to do with it .

Yes that would galvanise them! 

I,ve been with HSBC since it took over the Midland and its not the best to contact over the phone.I,ve not been able to phone my branch for years it has to be a call centre.The internet banking works very well but on the odd occasion i have to speak to someone its a bit of a pain.

v9

My main bank is and has been for over 30 years Nationwide,  always found it good in our town, we do have  a local number so easy to contact them for appointments, staff always helpful and knowledgeable. Other bank is TSB only recently started banking with them but so far all good. A couple of months ago applied to First Direct to open an account, what a palarver, numerous phone calls, loads of letters back and forth. Copies of this and that required, then has to be verified by certain type of professional,  took 6 weeks to get to the stage where they said I could have an account, another 2 weeks later they sent more paperwork to be signed,  already done the same forms twice. So phoned  them and told them I'd had enough and to forget it. Since then I've received a welcome pack 2 more envelopes full of information,  my account card, pin number, another request for a sample signature, that's 4 requests so far. I have kept everything and am tempted to send it all back to them, I want nothing to do with a bank that can't get its act together when you are bringing them new business.

I have been with Nat West for 55 years, when I first opened an account with them it was actually the National Provincial.

I have always found them to be efficient, friendly and accomodating.  I have no complaints whatsoever!

TF