Loan Alliance

Cannot say anything special about the co-operative bank. They have huge lines to the customer managers and not as many branches around as it was promised.
My online account now is blocked, for I have tried to tansfer the sum, which is over the limit. Now I need to wait one week more to be able to check it again. I don't understand how it functions and what is the reason of such actions.

I have carefully read the previous comment. And actually I have the same account and it is kind of weird to have completely different picture. I cannot say to the future clients that Sainsbury’s Bank is what I needed. Yes, I agree this offer was great. But if your balance exceeds the offer maximum balance on your account, due to you depositing additional funds or monthly interest being credited to your account, then your interest rate will revert to the standard interest rate (currently 0.50% AER/gross pa), from the date of you depositing more funds or monthly interest being credited to your account, and will apply to your whole balance. Could you understand what does it mean? That this account is so closed that you cannot perform any financial actions. I have the rate 2,2%, which was higher initially. That's fine, I will switch to another bank or savings account later on.

I am using this particular bank for online services only. They have a lot of advantages comparing to other UK banks for online card services. The card activation is easy and secure. The information on your personal webpage is simple to navigate and control. I can access my mbna account 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and the service is fast and safe. My concern was protection and with mbna I fulfilled it. I can transfer money with a little or no fee both to other credit and store cards. It is available for a credit limit increase online only within 5 minutes in case of urgency.  I enjoy my paperless financial balances and I am not bound to a branch.

Used currect customer account at Halifax. Rate was good, 3.20%AER, but truly speaking could be even better. Minimum opening balance is £1 and you can withdraw money whenever you can. I had problems with my online account, some part of my funds were blocked for more than 1 day. The problem is that you can have only one ISA in this bank, that restricts your actions.

I had tesco fixed account for a 3 year term with fixed AER 3,5%. You should know that once your money in you can't close the account or get your money out until the end of this term. This offer was limited, that is why I am not sure if it is available right now. My account was opened via the phone. You can do it online as well. At the end of the term I have been contacted by my tesco manager with three options to choose. Since this amount was aimed for saving I agreed to give it a try -  to stay with tesco. I should note that my decision was for good. Once I have registered for Online Banking I was required a Card Reader, Internet Banking Security Card and a PIN number for the Card Reader to set up or amend payee details. The process for ordering a Card Reader took approximately 15 working days ( as it was stated in my application form). My manager recommended to order one as soon as I have completed Online Banking registration. Tesco card reader device is additional security measure  against online fraud. Never had problems with tesco, their service is highly rated.

My Preferred Current Account was great with Santander, for I have a lot of discounts and preferences. One year later I was automatically switched to the other rate – not 5% AER, but 1%, which is a big difference. I have paid £1,000 each month and was able to arrange an overdraft without any charges for 12 months. Instead of offering me some advantages like I had before, Santander just stopped notifying me about my changes and my current account situation. It is completely unacceptable to treat clients in this way and not to encourage them to continue using their services. I am not sure what I am going to do next, but I want you to be mindful.

First opened an account with Santander 1 year ago. I was aware that it might take longer, since this would be my first account. I was waiting for a week, two, and three… I didn’t receive any notification message or email. I was hoping that after my call they will be more understanding. However, it didn’t change a tiny thing in this situation. 1 month later I finally received a letter from them, asking me to understand the process and apologizing for inconveniences. That was the moment, when I have started to count months. I assumed that I am full in lies and I will never get my card with this bank. I don’t want even continue writing about my experience, since it was terrible.

HSBC banking is one of the best online banking systems I have ever used: fast, modern and progressive. HSBC transfers money to any UK bank online. And what is really amazing is that it takes me usually one working day. I am using their regular saver account.  I am investing about £250 a month, and save the maximum balance of £3000 during the 12 month term, at 8% interest. So I earn approximately £130 as an interest. All you need to do is to put aside your regular payment on the month basis and you are not allowed to withdraw you money during 12 month period. They are offering me now a flexible saver with attractive conditions, but I prefer this one, since it keeps me away from spending only.

M&S is trying to do its best to attract more clients. Yesterday I have noticed that they launched a new advertising campaign on their ISA accounts. The main point is flexibility it offers and their unique rate at 2,65%, which is tax-free. Currently I have a personal account with them, but I cannot say that I agree with the previous ratings. M&S are good at their style and openness, but as many others financial companies they don’t concentrate so much on their customer service. Now I have two ways: the first one – to stay with M&S; the other – to choose someone more reliable. I think they need to appreciate their clients more.

I have been with alliance and leicester for 15 years and truly speaking never had a single problem with them. I have got got £50 when opened my account within a few weeks as it was stated in their promo campaign. My account is working properly and I love the way how the site looks. I had a lot of queries and nothing was missed or omitted, they comply with my requests and treat me well. In case of some changes or maintenance brake I am informed beforehand in order to make all the needed things online. My personal evaluation for this bank is high.

I opened and account on the recommendation of a friend. Alliance and Leicester are the not the best, but they are at least trying to be. I was incorrectly charged on my account. My dispute was settled and I don’t want to go into deep with all phone calls and email I was obliged to send them to push the process.  I have saving account ay 3% AER, and these guys offered me additionally 0,5% as a “sorry” for what I have been put due to their customer service. Furthermore, now I know everything what is going on with my money, since I am receiving my updated via sms for free. Everything is going pretty well for me and I hope it will be.

I have read the previous  review on this site in amazement. The branch I deal with is really good. They are always smiling  and seem to be responsible and attentive. When I did have a problem with a fraudulant transaction on my account it was solved easily. No extra costs occurred and I felt to be treated well.  My money was returned into my account within a few days and I was grateful I have chosen Abbey. I have a credit card and a zero current account at 5 AER fixed, they always let me know about their available offers and new opportunities to save my money. So I know when the rates drop and move to other Abbey account. I rate them highly as they are organized, helpful and secure.

Had some fraud on my account and a lof of problems with Abbey. They were supposed to open a new account, transfer everthing over and close the old account. Actually it took about 4 months and millions of queries, phone calls and emails. I had ISA at good rates (5% and no fees and another one 3% no taxes, at least these were good . I still experience online problems and I do not have fraud detect ion currently, Abbey is trying to fix it. I think this bank has too many departments and units, so they don’t know what is going on around them and who is the right person to talk to. They ignored my complaints until I threatened to go to the lawyer.  I am shutting all accounts now and hope to get rid of Abbey really soon.

I used to have a Halifax current account for many years. However, I have noticed the service was getting worse and worse every day and I could stand the unprofessional way of support team. So I have found the nearest bank branch, it was Citibank. Firstly, my emotions were a little bit strange. Since I have a stereotype that this bank is extraordinary expensive and sometimes the operational expenses could be higher than your rate. In order to switch to Citibank I have been proposed to feel in an Account Switching Form and that was all. The process did take up to 3 weeks. Upon these 3 weeks I have received a receipt and documents with a proposal of Citibank account, all I needed to do is to choose the porions I want to include into the service. They did arrange the closing account with Halifax and I even didn’t come back to that bank. Citibank Access account has an amazing AER of 16%, no extra fees and free of charge overdraft option up to £500. I have no concerns and worries now. Thank you, Citibank!