Which Bank?

[thecoach]

I am currently in the process of switching banks, has anyone any advice or information on good, decent banks (are there any!).

[GlitteryPink]

Go on www.moneysavingexpert.com

In the loans and banking section there is loads of info on all the best banks and accounts at the moment.

[spaced]

stay away fron Natwest and HSBC, from my personal experience Nationwide are the best.

[Carol Anne]

Im my experience they're all the same in the end, out to make as much for themselves as they can, but I suppose the best a of a bad bunch would be the Nationwide (building society, and still mutual) or the Cooperative Bank, which trades on it's ethical policies, but has very little presence on the high st, it has access via post offices and good internet services. Been my bank for the last ten years.

[STAH]

Without a shadow of a doubt www.firstdirect.com They are superb. I work for one of the big four, and I have kept a second account with these guys purely because they are so good. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week 365 days a year. UK based, and no voice automated reply asking for your account details. Just helpful, friendly professionals. Brilliant.

[sammd]

In terms of interest rates, Alliance and Leicester give 5% interest on their current account (most banks give 0.1%!) They also have the 10% regular saver account, as do Barclays.

[braeside]

i agree with Stah ive been withfirst direct since they started 100% professional 100% othe time

[sammd]

I'd recommend going in a selection of potentials - picking up the appropriate leaflets and comparing them (perhaps seeing how friendly and helpful they are while you're in there!)