UK Warriors - Who do you bank with.

54 replies
I'm going to change my business bank account.

At the moment I bank with Santander - there incompetence defies belief and I believe their customer support manual was written by Basil Fawlty.

So who do you bank with?

Adam
#bank #warriors
  • Profile picture of the author Same
    I'm with Barclays!

    Best of the best. Others say that HSBC also good one in UK.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rick Britton
    I am with HSBC

    am frequently impressed with what they do

    I was recommended to them 5 years ago by another satisfied customer. Go chat them about your needs
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  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by Adam Sussman View Post

    At the moment I bank with Santander - there incompetence defies belief and I believe their customer support manual was written by Basil Fawlty.
    Oooh, really? I use them, also. I've been pleased with them, though I admit I haven't needed much customer service, so I probably haven't seen them on a bad day.

    I use HSBC in Jersey (British Channel Islands) as well - they seem fine.
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  • Profile picture of the author rosetrees
    Nationwide. Been with them since they started offering current accounts and never had a problem. Before that I left TSB (as they were then) in disgust at their incompetence.
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  • Profile picture of the author Chrisbroholm
    I've used LLoyds for a while and was never impressed with them. I've only heard positive things about HSBC, so I'd recommend them.
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  • Profile picture of the author raylee1
    i'm with hsbc and had no problems. i even like the new keyfob for logging into internet banking where it creates a new number everytime you log in for better security
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    • Profile picture of the author sonicadam123
      Originally Posted by raylee1 View Post

      i'm with hsbc and had no problems. i even like the new keyfob for logging into internet banking where it creates a new number everytime you log in for better security
      Same here, +1 for the keyfob, it's pretty cool and secure!

      Only downside for them was that I changed my address details then 5 months later the keyfob was released and they sent it to my old address

      That's the only problem I've had though.

      I did change my address online, maybe I should have gone in a branch to change it hmmm
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  • Profile picture of the author Ryan Jericho
    Banned
    HSBC all the way mate. Great Security, Call Centers and Facilities. Been with 'em for over 21 years now personal account, and a few years business banking.
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    • Profile picture of the author Centurian
      I recommend HSBC. I use them for creating U.S. ecommerce company platforms and banking for international clients.

      Great global integration with 8,500 branches worldwide. They can be a little tougher to open an account some places, but once you're in your're in.
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  • Profile picture of the author Andy Fletcher
    Another vote for NOT Santander. Their customer support has been terrible for us and TWICE they have not run our Payroll and not even bothered to call to tell us they hadn't put the payments through.

    We'll be moving as soon as we figure out what a better option is so thank you for starting this thread.
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  • Profile picture of the author louie6925
    I used to be with Abbey (santander) and like the OP I had enough of incompetence running my current account, so I changed to Halifax 15 years ago when I started my first business and have been very impressed! never had any issues (oh apart from bank charges, but I got them back) would certainly recommend to anyone reading this who may be looking to change.
    Have heard great things about HSBC too!
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  • Profile picture of the author Theeban
    Barclays is easy to deal with compare to other banks.
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  • Profile picture of the author datingworld
    HSBC rocks followed by Barclays
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  • Profile picture of the author Shimon
    Hi, I bank with Lloyds TSB, although I have read some terrible stories that some IM'ers have had their accounts closed by Lloyds TSB. Over than that, I believe HSBC would be the preferred option to bank with. I will be looking to move to HSBC very soon aswell...
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  • Profile picture of the author Archie82
    Been with Natwest for a while now with no hassles so far. Great customer service.
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  • Profile picture of the author Darren Hodgson
    Natwest, I had the same problem with Santander, bad customer service doesn't even begin to describe them. Then I moved to Halifax and finally to Natwest, which for me is the best of the three
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    • I'm banking with Lloyds TSB, and because of this thread I researched more about it.

      Seems there have been quite a few horror stories involving Lloyds TSB Might have to considering switching banks..
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  • Profile picture of the author cooler1
    Im with Lloyds TSB. What sort of horror stories have their been involving Lloyds TSB?
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  • Profile picture of the author Andy Hart
    Barclays, really?? Do you trust your money with a bank that needed a bailout?
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    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
      Banned
      Originally Posted by Andy Hart View Post

      Barclays, really?? Do you trust your money with a bank that needed a bailout?
      You're going to have a restricted choice, if you won't. A bank that got a bailout might also be a safer bet than one that could have done with one, but didn't get one?
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      • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
        Lloyds.

        Great customer suppport but charges are questionable.
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    • Profile picture of the author Val Wilson
      Originally Posted by Andy Hart View Post

      Barclays, really?? Do you trust your money with a bank that needed a bailout?
      Just as a matter of interest Barclays was one of the few that didn't get a bailout...
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      • Profile picture of the author Andy Hart
        Originally Posted by Val Wilson View Post

        Just as a matter of interest Barclays was one of the few that didn't get a bailout...
        Really?? I thought they did, that's why there was huge controversy over the massive bonuses they were paying out with my money?

        I don't have any experience with banking or financial sector but to me, in simple terms, I trust a bank who has continued on strong without the need of a bailout and is continuing to build and get stronger without my money.

        I don't trust my money to a bank who crumbled and didn't have the foresight to see what was round the corner and devise a plan of action, instead relied upon the government to hand over my money to them, then not long after, pay out hundreds of thousands of said mentioned money to the top brass of the same bank that failed and is continuing to fail us?

        Again, this is just a very simplistic look from someone (me) who has zero expertise in banking, just the good old news channel, which means I'm probably wrong but its how I feel and I'm sticking to it because its never failed me yet :p

        Andy

        Here's the source for my thinking Barclay's did receive a bailout?? just not as obvious as the others and the disgraceful matter of the bonuses
        http://liberalconspiracy.org/2012/02...serve-a-bonus/
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  • Profile picture of the author Danny Cutts
    I bank with Natwest :-) I have a great bank manager phones me up regularly to make sure that business is good :-)

    Lloyds can go to hell as far as I am concerned
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    • Profile picture of the author Daniel Clark
      I bank with Nationwide, never had any issues with them and being one of the few remaining building societies if not the last in the UK I'm all for sticking with them.
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    • Profile picture of the author Greenfatman
      I though Halifax and Nawest belong to Lloyds :rolleyes:

      Originally Posted by Danny Cutts View Post

      I bank with Natwest :-) I have a great bank manager phones me up regularly to make sure that business is good :-)

      Lloyds can go to hell as far as I am concerned
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  • Profile picture of the author Danny Cutts
    I fell out with nationwide when they decided to send me a new bank card....

    Doesnt sound too bad but when I was in australia it was very inconvenient... The card I had in OZ was not even up for renewal...lol

    SO I ditched them :-)

    My personal bank I Bank with Smile which is run by the co op and they have been brilliant :-)
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  • Profile picture of the author Tarik93
    I'm with Natwest and Citibank.
    I love Citibank as they convert my international cheques for less than £5 so it's highly convenient.
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  • Profile picture of the author NicheSiteLab
    another vote for HSBC, haven't got a bad word to say about them.


    Posted from Warrior Forum Reader for Android
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  • Profile picture of the author brettb
    Another vote for HSBC - my limited company now banks with them. The key fob is cool.

    Now that is solved, maybe we can talk about other UK business money topics?

    I did nearly open a business investment account with Hargreaves Lansdown. Sadly, while it's theoretically a great idea to retain your profits through investing in stocks and stuff, the tax regulations make it a minefield.

    Also does anyone do their own accounts? I've had my company for 10 years, but this year's CT600 form is the worst yet in terms of trying to fill it all out. I pray that this will be simplified soon!
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    • Profile picture of the author RyanGillam
      Originally Posted by brettb View Post

      Also does anyone do their own accounts? I've had my company for 10 years, but this year's CT600 form is the worst yet in terms of trying to fill it all out. I pray that this will be simplified soon!
      My first accounts for my Limited Company aren't due until next year. I found a good company online who I shall be using:

      Cheap Accounting From Qualified Accountants

      I think it's around £249 for filling in of the forms and submitting all returns to companies house as well as corporation tax and balance sheet completed.
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  • Profile picture of the author WF99
    Although i am a outsider ..
    But i prefer HSBC..
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  • Profile picture of the author ktmakwana
    I signed up with Barclays last week therefore hopefully it will prove to be a good decision.
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  • Profile picture of the author DireStraits
    I use Halifax for "personal banking" and Santander for business banking. Haven't had an issue with either of them. Have been with the former for about 8 years, the latter for about 1.5 (I think).

    I see a lot of animosity on the web toward Santander but I've yet to experience any of this so-called incompetence, and I've found their phone support just about the most prompt, helpful and friendly going.

    *Touch wood* and "go figure"...
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  • Profile picture of the author afilmarket
    Big thumbs DOWN to Santander! Completely incompetent. I ended up closing my account with them due to their awful customer service. It got to the point where I stood at one of their counters, and refused to leave, until they closed my account and gave me all my cash. Even then, they ran in to problems.

    Thing is, your choices are far more limited than you think. I run a not-for-profit that looks in to the ethics of businesses, and there are actually far fewer banks than you think. The majority of highstreet names are owned by a few major banks.

    I bank with the Co-Op, the reason being that they're one of very few banks that won't invest their profits in oppressive military regimes, such as Burma, arms dealing, and harmful oil extraction projects, like the Tar Sands in Canada. All the rest of the major banks are at it.

    I know this stuff all goes on, as my business partner is also a trader, and used to work for BAE.

    Triodos are very good too.

    Of course, mine are ethical considerations.
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    • Profile picture of the author DireStraits
      Originally Posted by afilmarket View Post

      I bank with the Co-Op, the reason being that they're one of very few banks that won't invest their profits in oppressive military regimes, such as Burma, arms dealing, and harmful oil extraction projects, like the Tar Sands in Canada. All the rest of the major banks are at it.
      Credit Unions don't gamble your money on "oppressive military regimes" and all the rest of it, do they?

      I always wonder why people who have such a overriding distaste for the major banks' practices don't make more use of them - most towns/cities have one, and can provide a debit card and all the most frequently used facilities?

      Perhaps not suited to businesspeople, but I can't see why they're not perfectly adequate for the average working man or woman, who frequently happen to be the most vocal opponents of "Mr. W**ker Banker's" fun and games.
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      • Profile picture of the author afilmarket
        Originally Posted by DireStraits View Post

        Credit Unions don't gamble your money on "oppressive military regimes" and all the rest of it, do they?

        I always wonder why people who have such a overriding distaste for the major banks' practices don't make more use of them - most towns/cities have one, and can provide a debit card and all the most frequently used facilities?

        Perhaps not suited to businesspeople, but I can't see why they're not perfectly adequate for the average working man or woman, who frequently happen to be the most vocal opponents of "Mr. W**ker Banker's" fun and games.
        Hmm - hadn't really heard of credit unions until you mentioned them. Just had a quick look at my local one in Brighton. Seems they only issue cheques, and there's no debit card facility.

        The Co-Operative function in a very similar way, it seems. You're a member when you join, and share in the profits of the company. Also, you get to vote on how the company spends its profits.

        I'm sure the Co-Op aren't completely clean ( I know they lobby on behalf of the big supermarket chains who are opposing a supermarket ombudsman ), but I think they're the best of a bad bunch.
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  • Profile picture of the author Casandra123
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    • Profile picture of the author sfx1971
      I moved my business banking from the Alliance & Leicester (now Santander) to the HSBC a few years ago and I'm glad that I did.
      The A&L had no high street support network for business banking as it was dealt with centrally somewehere near Liverpool.
      I moved to the HSBC as they had a good reputation and they had a business manager at my local branch to provide that personal touch!
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  • Profile picture of the author kayfrank
    I also think HSBC is good. It is international too so OK for affiliate payments overseas (like amazon)
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  • Profile picture of the author GeeWhiz1
    Another vote for HSBC here. Quality bank.
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  • Profile picture of the author Charanjit
    I have been with natwest, hsbc, and co-op, by far co-op has the best deals, free business banking, they only charge for depositing cash after the first £3000 every month.
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  • Profile picture of the author Danny Cutts
    I have an accountant handle all of my accounts but I use accounting software as well so that I can see exactly where I am each month :-)
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  • Profile picture of the author arranrice
    Natwest, great customer service!
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  • Profile picture of the author thevoyager
    A while back, while living in UK, I used to bank with Natwest and HSBC. Never had any problems.
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  • Profile picture of the author QuirkieGifts
    Im with HSBC
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  • Profile picture of the author AdwordsMogul
    Hmm... Well I can say so far HSBC has been good to me. Customer service people seem very friendly and willing to help. So far, so good.
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  • Profile picture of the author Chri5123
    Barclays Business Account - not had any problems and the range of features is awesome.
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    • Profile picture of the author philhunter
      Another vote for Barclays, never had a problem with them and are always professional and helpful.

      I did however have an account with Alliance and Leicester which I beleive are owned by Santander and they were TERRIBLE.

      I once paid a $50,000 cheque into my account there and 6 weeks later it still hadn't shown up on my balance so I went to the branch and was told they don't deal with things like that in branch they only take payments and was told to phone customer service using the phone on the wall who were just as unhelpful.

      Anyway to cut a long story short the money was eventually found 10 weeks after paying it in so I promptly closed the account and moved elswhere.
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      • Profile picture of the author Adam Sussman
        Originally Posted by philhunter View Post

        Another vote for Barclays, never had a problem with them and are always professional and helpful.

        I did however have an account with Alliance and Leicester which I beleive are owned by Santander and they were TERRIBLE.

        I once paid a $50,000 cheque into my account there and 6 weeks later it still hadn't shown up on my balance so I went to the branch and was told they don't deal with things like that in branch they only take payments and was told to phone customer service using the phone on the wall who were just as unhelpful.

        Anyway to cut a long story short the money was eventually found 10 weeks after paying it in so I promptly closed the account and moved elswhere.
        I know what you mean. I paid a £15K cheque into my Santander account, and instead of crediting my account with the funds, the twats debited my account.......twice!!!

        No apology, absolutely nothing. They even tried to make out it was my fault. Though they did very graciously refund my unauthorized overdraft fees. {Sarcasm}
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  • Profile picture of the author Cyber Rankings
    Natwest, they have been by far the best out of the banks i have been with.
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