O/T Business Banking help

[Sussex Nomad]

Was just wondering who uses which bank and if they can recommend them for customer service and online, not really interested in great rates, etc. although no fees/minimal fees would be helpful.

Currently with Nat West and wanted to open a different/new business account, but you'd think they were doing you a favour, 5 attempts just to contact someone and nothing. So I've decided to take my business elsewhere and transfer existing accounts.

Any help will be gratefully accepted.

Cheers.

 

[PILTDOWN MAN]

For years I used Natwest and they were very good but then that all changed about 6 years ago when suddenly they became very distant to deal with, if that makes sense. I go to footie with an ex-natwest bank manager and he says don't touch them. I changed to Bank of Scotland due to their deals at the time but christ what a hard time that was. No real business banking on a one to one they just use Halifax for the day to day stuff and are useless. Now with Lloyds TSB and its like a breath of fresh air, so would recommend them.

 

[Alex Alex Dawson oo! oo!]

We've been with HSBC since 2004, never had a problem of any description.

 

[Springal]

HSBC, Lloyds both decent for small business at least.

Carter Allen also gets banded around a lot.

 

[browneggsandham]

I've got accounts, personal and business with Lloyds, and personal with HSBC and Lloyds would be my recommendation without a doubt.

 

[Bold Seagull]

My business account with HSBC, I've not been charged for 5 years as all my transactions are mostly online or cheques. They give me a courtesy call say once or twice a year to check everything is okay. When I went overdrawn because of a stray DD that should of been cancelled, they happily refunded the penalty fee. Very happy.

 

[Sussex Nomad]

Cheers guys, Lloyds or HSBC it is then.

 

[MJsGhost]

I started with Lloyds in 2008, but moved to HSBC late in 2010.

FAR better service IMO - the Business Manager in Brighton/Hove was pretty damned useless. HSBC's online systems are better and HSBC have been good at offering premuim personal banking services too (not pushy selling, but a load of free products/services that are actually pretty useful).

No comparision as far as I am concerned.

 

[DanielT]

Since they finally got faster payments I've had no problems with Santander, despite their reputation.

 

[PHCgull]

if its service you want try Allied Irish Bank next to the King and Queen.they dont do retail banking,only business, and they have a branch in brighton so you are not alweays on the phone or web.their internet banking is quite decent,and secure. they're not cheap though.

 

[Shropshire Seagull]

Was Abbey now Santander - free banking, free cheque books, free paymensts / withdrawals.
I mainly use online but can use a branch and ATM too.
As I bank personally with Santander, inter account transfers are immediate and simple for things like pay / expenses / dividends etc.
When I applied for a current a/c they also gave me a business reserve account - higher interest and somewhere to hive away your Corp tax and VAT each month

More than happy after 7 years ....