santander?

[jaberwocky]

i currently bank with natwest.but,they have been told to transfer all branches in scotland and accounts to santander.all RBS branches in england are heading the same way. i've heard not a lot good about santander so before i change banks does anyone think santander is ok? thank you for your time.

[boxtops]

No, my experience of Santander is rubbish. I used to be with Bradford & Bingley who were taken over by Abbey who were taken over by Santander. Their customer service is appalling, IMO, I wouldn't touch them with a bargepole.

We've been told that some of the Lloyds branches down here are being taken over by the Co-op - that'll be interesting, Co-op has a strong ethical policies.

Do you have the Nationwide building society where you are? I have an account with them (full current account with cards etc) and I find them very efficient.

[237SJ]

No, Santander are aboslutely appalling. They are OK if you just want to deposit some money with them and not have to deal with them again but beyond that, they are absolutely terrible to deal with. The left hand doesn`t know what the right hand is doing.

[thenry]

Go with the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation ! Reckon it used to be the Midland !

[MASS1961]

Have to agree with the previous posters.
Nothing but trouble once they took over Alliance & Leicester.

I'm with the Coop now, no problems in 2 years

[jaberwocky]

thanks boxtops you read my mind.already been thinking of co-op bank.thanks to all.i'll check around.

[nungate]

I was with Alliance and Leicester for years before they were taken over by Santander, but I seem to have been luckier than most as I've not had any trouble with them since the takeover.

[Lie-in King]

Santander have been nothing but helpful to me & the branch staff are superb.

[factor-fiction]

Yes, the sale of branches of Natwest in Scotland and RBS in England to Santander was forced upon Nat West/RBS by the European Commission. The idea is that it will increase competition, but as Santander seem to be dominating the High Street I'm not sure of the logic.

Nat West in Scotland is not allowed to encourage its customers to move to its sister company RBS, and vice-versa. Customers can transfer to whichever bank they want but it looks as if they have to keep this pretty quiet. The FAQs on their website http://natwestbranchinformation.com/home/faq do not include the most obvious question which is "Do I have to move to Santander?".

[bednobs]

i have never had any probs with santander, and we have a fair few financial products with them
Actually, their home insurance quote was too high this year, but that's aviva really

[whiskeryron]

I have been using the co-op on line bank ( smile.co.uk) for a number of years now & I find them very efficient & easy to use, I would recommend that you try them you will not be disappointed.

WR.

[blisscapri]

No you will always have problems with them, on telephone banking when your asked your D.O.B you will automatically fail security and will have to take your passport into your nearest branch to unblock them. But they wont unblock them as they are blocked by the computer which takes 30days. Don't have their credit card you will fail security on calling because they will ask you when did you last use it? how much was the amount and where did you spend it, you wont remember so your fail security and block that card too! its a automatic block you wont be able to undo that. Also internet banking will let you read your statements and it will say your way in credit so you spend normally only to discover you are actually overdrawn, a real fix there allowing them to charge huge amounts and as many as they want without proper justification. The whole bank and system is a stitch up they steal your money. Call centre staff are wallowing in telling you its their standard charge and talk down to you like your a ten year old and all high flyers they must of been on the apprentice programme. I hate them and I cant leave as when you close your account i've heard they keep it open behind your back add charges on for several months giving you a bad credit score and you will not be able to buy anything ever again on credit. Don't do it stay with who your with.