Where do I go for decent bank account?
Discussion
I have the misfortune of being with Abbey, have been since a wee lad, but they are awful! Indian unhelpful call centres, stop my card every time I use it abroad despit a lodged letter with them stating I travel in Asia every month.
I need a decent, UK, premium bank acount and dont mind paying per month for good service. I have an Amex Platinum charge card which is fan-bloody tastic for £300 per annum, but not taken everywhere here due to their huge fee's.
Anyone any Good bank experiences?
HBM
I need a decent, UK, premium bank acount and dont mind paying per month for good service. I have an Amex Platinum charge card which is fan-bloody tastic for £300 per annum, but not taken everywhere here due to their huge fee's.
Anyone any Good bank experiences?
HBM
We use these guys for our business banking; Svenska Handlesbanken but I know they also offer private banking.
We changed our business banking from a "major high street" bank because since the business started in 1991 we’d seen a steady decline in the quality of contact with our bank.
We were also bombarded by various of the "major high street" bank's 'specialists' trying (unsuccessfully) to sells us other financial products - pensions, insurance etc. – more often than not, these people would be sneakily brought to regular meetings (without our prior consent) with our account manager, to the point where it was almost insulting to our intelligence and detrimental to the normal process of communication between business and banker.
It was also clear that the (important) decisions, regarding project funding were being made in a land far removed from the muck and bullets of our business here in the Midlands. A conversation with a good friend who deals with receiverships for one of the big four UK accountants served to confirm our suspicions and we became concerned about the long term security and viability of effectively working with bankers we'd never meet or talk with.
We drew-up a (very) shortlist of possible alternatives, of which two stood out; Allied Irish Bank (AIB) and Svenska Handelsbanken AB, the latter of which we eventually chose to move the majority of business banking and finance in April 2006 this year. We have, thus far, been extremely pleased with the level of service and contact received.
Clearly, no two businesses or individuals are alike and no bank can be all things to all customers, but what is excellent is their level of service and attention:
> We never have to do all that “press 1 for business banking” telephone nonsense - just direct ‘phone numbers.
> We never struggle to talk to someone.
> The ‘someone’ is always at your branch, not in a call centre somewhere.
> We can normally talk directly to our account manager unless he’s on holiday.
> If our manager is not immediately available, he will return our calls.
> When your account manager’s away, you have a proper secondary/deputy contact.
> Their internet banking system is very good.
> Their technical people are very helpful with the internet banking set-up.
We changed our business banking from a "major high street" bank because since the business started in 1991 we’d seen a steady decline in the quality of contact with our bank.
We were also bombarded by various of the "major high street" bank's 'specialists' trying (unsuccessfully) to sells us other financial products - pensions, insurance etc. – more often than not, these people would be sneakily brought to regular meetings (without our prior consent) with our account manager, to the point where it was almost insulting to our intelligence and detrimental to the normal process of communication between business and banker.
It was also clear that the (important) decisions, regarding project funding were being made in a land far removed from the muck and bullets of our business here in the Midlands. A conversation with a good friend who deals with receiverships for one of the big four UK accountants served to confirm our suspicions and we became concerned about the long term security and viability of effectively working with bankers we'd never meet or talk with.
We drew-up a (very) shortlist of possible alternatives, of which two stood out; Allied Irish Bank (AIB) and Svenska Handelsbanken AB, the latter of which we eventually chose to move the majority of business banking and finance in April 2006 this year. We have, thus far, been extremely pleased with the level of service and contact received.
Clearly, no two businesses or individuals are alike and no bank can be all things to all customers, but what is excellent is their level of service and attention:
> We never have to do all that “press 1 for business banking” telephone nonsense - just direct ‘phone numbers.
> We never struggle to talk to someone.
> The ‘someone’ is always at your branch, not in a call centre somewhere.
> We can normally talk directly to our account manager unless he’s on holiday.
> If our manager is not immediately available, he will return our calls.
> When your account manager’s away, you have a proper secondary/deputy contact.
> Their internet banking system is very good.
> Their technical people are very helpful with the internet banking set-up.
humpbackmaniac said:
I have the misfortune of being with Abbey, have been since a wee lad, but they are awful! Indian unhelpful call centres, stop my card every time I use it abroad despit a lodged letter with them stating I travel in Asia every month.
Amusingly, I'm currently arguing with them about not stopping 14 consecutive transactions completely outside my spending habits. Strangely, I'm also looking for a new bank.Digga said:
yellowbentines said:
RBS, traditional banking where you can go and speak to someone in branch who resembles a bank manager, someone who can actually make decisions.
Why would anyone want to waste time trogging over to see their bank?I changed for one of those without a high street presence 10 years ago and haven't found anything lacking.
Anything that has to be done can be over the phone / email / post.
Old man uses;
http://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/personal/hsbcpremier;jse...
I have no need for a premier account, nor am I eligible!
http://www.hsbc.co.uk/1/2/personal/hsbcpremier;jse...
I have no need for a premier account, nor am I eligible!
Dunno if this is of any use to you,
But i still bank with CitiBank Canary Wharf (with a paralel bank account at Citi Singapore)
Have been doing so for 3 years now, based in Asia and travelling to all sorts of remote places.
Never had an issue with the service, never had a problem with the telephone banking, and the customer service in London was good Face to Face too!!
Note - I have no overdrafts with them, i have no "premium service" with them, but i do use multi-currancy accounts + thier credit cards.
But i still bank with CitiBank Canary Wharf (with a paralel bank account at Citi Singapore)
Have been doing so for 3 years now, based in Asia and travelling to all sorts of remote places.
Never had an issue with the service, never had a problem with the telephone banking, and the customer service in London was good Face to Face too!!
Note - I have no overdrafts with them, i have no "premium service" with them, but i do use multi-currancy accounts + thier credit cards.
randlemarcus said:
humpbackmaniac said:
I have the misfortune of being with Abbey, have been since a wee lad, but they are awful! Indian unhelpful call centres, stop my card every time I use it abroad despit a lodged letter with them stating I travel in Asia every month.
Amusingly, I'm currently arguing with them about not stopping 14 consecutive transactions completely outside my spending habits. Strangely, I'm also looking for a new bank.AAAHHHHHH!
XJSJohn said:
Dunno if this is of any use to you,
But i still bank with CitiBank Canary Wharf (with a paralel bank account at Citi Singapore)
Have been doing so for 3 years now, based in Asia and travelling to all sorts of remote places.
Never had an issue with the service, never had a problem with the telephone banking, and the customer service in London was good Face to Face too!!
Note - I have no overdrafts with them, i have no "premium service" with them, but i do use multi-currancy accounts + thier credit cards.
Thanks John. I will try them.But i still bank with CitiBank Canary Wharf (with a paralel bank account at Citi Singapore)
Have been doing so for 3 years now, based in Asia and travelling to all sorts of remote places.
Never had an issue with the service, never had a problem with the telephone banking, and the customer service in London was good Face to Face too!!
Note - I have no overdrafts with them, i have no "premium service" with them, but i do use multi-currancy accounts + thier credit cards.
Mike
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