[homenclean]

I, as many out there consider the banks to be the biggest set of con men on this planet. But unfortunately they are a necessary evil.

Which leads me to my main point:

I am considering swapping banks and would be interested in your opinion as to who offers the most competetive service i.e cheque clearance times e.t.c

Also who would you stay well clear off?

or basically who you would reccomend.

Thanks

john

[Paul Simpson]

Signed up with Alliance & Leicester 8 months ago and have no complaints.
Free banking as long as you bank over £500 p.m. with them (otherwise £5 p.m.)

[Doctor Carpet (Ret'd)]

The reason , and underlying problems, for your proposed transfer will have much bearing upon the answers you will then get.

Do share.

[daysdeepclean]

Although painfully slow to turn cheques into ready cash and p*ss poor customer service, Abbey is free business banking.... I have found that by banking on line with them, things have improved to a degree, enough to stop me in my tracks of changing banks.

[homenclean]

I am looking to reduce bank charges and improve on cheque clearance times.

I would also like to consider accepting swithch payments in the future but my current banks charges are excessive.

Because i purchase products from differant suppliers in differant areas of the country a debit card would be a help.

John

[jonnyald]

so who are you with then?   iv never heard of a business account NOT getting a debit card with it before

BEEN WITH HSBC  many years, couple of times have overcharged me and theyre very quick to charge me so i wouldnt say much good ,i always think the managers are odd bods -look shifty

[from edge2edge]

John you only ever find out how good a relationship is when things go wrong.I was with natwest who were very good to me when things were going well but when i had some serious problems due to a company owing me absolute thousands they quite quickly turned into the give us our money back now bank and left me with a very sour taste in my mouth as i was trying everything to get back on my feet.End of rant and just my experience.Regards Alan(swindon)

[M.Acorn]

I closed down my Barclays business account about 2 years ago,as was sick of paying to pay in money,i now use a current account for Halifax,3 days to clear a cheque,Bacs payments clear straight away.And no charges 

[JandS]

My best bank is upstairs.
No interest but no charges.
Cheques go in my normal current account.
Not paying to put money into an account.

John

[richy27]

I have been with barclays free 12 months banking find my local branch very helpful cheques get swipped through shows up straight away on the online banking no complaints as yet.

But like with all of them dont get in pocket with them. had a word with my manager the other day and said what happens at the end of my free banking period and i said as i dont owe you anything whats to stop me moving and surprise surprise they have extended my free banking Happy days.

[Mike Osbourne]

The trouble with banks is you sort of need them and they know it.

It's all very well for their industry spokesman to tell you to 'shop around' because it's a competitive market, but the reality is it's an illusion of choice, when in fact there isn't one because they are all in league and all want to shaft you. (sorry Roger)

In fact they are very much like politicians in many ways. 

[elite mike]

mike

i have banked with alliance and leicester  used to be girobank

for nearly 29 years, never any real problems 

they have just been taken over by santander

[richy27]

shoppimg around is ok but it is handy to build up a Good history with a bank then borrowing is easier if required

[Mike Osbourne]

mike

i have banked with alliance and leicester  used to be girobank

for nearly 29 years, never any real problems 

they have just been taken over by santander

santander?

Well your luck had to run out eventually.

[homenclean]

I am currently with HSBC who on the whole have been ok, but recently i have had a change if manager and to be honest the old relationship is no longer there.

Very hard to get hold of when you need something, often directed to a call centre.

I trade as a limited co so the facilities do not include debit cards.

as previosly mentioned there has to be something wrong when they can charge you to pay in.

I guess I am getting the feeling that the big banks are`nt interested in small business any more.

Thankyou for your replies

John.

[elite mike]

mike

i have banked with alliance and leicester  used to be girobank

for nearly 29 years, never any real problems 

they have just been taken over by santander

santander?

Well your luck had to run out eventually.

yeh i know  just have to wait and see

[Len Gribble]

Called into abbey to pay a bill for wife (normal) I said ben is A&L part of your group sorry cant help you? Barclay was more than willing, stills a building society with a bank name I miss the Woolwich swipe card hand over what ever Barclays fill a form in reminds me of the Grindlays days what a cheque book

Len

[Mike Osbourne]

Len just flash them your Amex Black 

[Len Gribble]

Mike

Very slow payers 

Len

[Doctor Carpet (Ret'd)]

I am currently with HSBC who on the whole have been ok, but recently i have had a change if manager and to be honest the old relationship is no longer there.

Very hard to get hold of when you need something, often directed to a call centre.

I trade as a limited co so the facilities do not include debit cards.

as previosly mentioned there has to be something wrong when they can charge you to pay in.

I guess I am getting the feeling that the big banks are`nt interested in small business any more.

Thankyou for your replies

John.

John
I'm afraid to say you are wrong on almost every point you raise although the call centre issue is more true than anything else.

Limited companies can have a combined cash card/debit(switch/solo) function. Probably the person you have asked doesn't know and so gave you wrong information. I've got one for my ltd coy.

If you'd come to this year's CCDO you'd have found out the answer as to why they charge for paying in and also how to minimise/avoid the cost legitimately. In simple terms would you give a third of your service away for free, which is what you are effectively saying?

Small businesses make up over 90% of all businesses in the country (ie.employing less than 10 people-as defined by the Forum for Private Business) so to the banks that is a huge market to go at.

I don't want you to think I am necessarily defending banks carte blanche but you do need to know some true facts about them rather than just popular myths. Please don't think this is a personal attack on you-it's not-as others on this forum who know me would (I suspect) accept my ramblings on the subject as true.

As this forum is often about helping each other then if there is anything in particular which anybody thinks it would be helpful to chat through with me then please don't hesitate to ring me on 07979 911321.

Mike O

Apologies accepted!

Roger