Hi jimbo jones

Thank you for your e-mail. I will definitely look into the blue account at Natwest.

Dear LoanInside

Thank you for your e-mail. I read it with great interest. A&L are not as good as people think. I will definitely be changing my bank account plus my ISA in the coming months. Why should I keep depositing 3K into my account and not getting anything in return.

This is typical of A&L. I had an ISA with them and they failed six time over three years to update the address when I moved. Eventually I had to go to branch where the "meet and greet" lady was down right rude to me when I gently pointed out that filling in a change of address form had so far failed to succeed. She snarled at me "are you trying to tell me how to do my job?"

I complained to the branch manager who shook his head in a "can't get the staff" sort of way and offered his grudging apology. I then wrote to head office to complain.

They took three weeks to send me a reply that simply said they were looking into the matter and it would be wrong to comment until they had investigated. They then wrote a second letter apologising for the delay in getting me a response, but they felt it was very important that they respond fully after a rigorous investigation, Two months later then finally sent me a standard letter that explained how seriously they took customer service and they were very sort, blah, blah, blah. It had a standard computer generated squiggle for a signature. It said they considered the matter closed and that I could of course complain to the ombudsman.

I closed the account and put the money elsewhere.

I’m afraid I have learned over the years that A&L often offer the best interest rates but are appalling at customer service and frankly don’t care about it. You need to make a decision – how much is service worth to you. If you value it then move your money to First Direct, who in 10 years have made two errors on my account, and both times have offered financial compensation. Consequently I’ve stayed with them despite the fact that they do not have the best interest rates on the market. Basically I’m buying good service.

Hi loot2341

I am currently with Natwest on blue account which is basically a current account with a few extras such as rail card, mobile phone insurance and 2 for 1 cinema card I do pay £6 a month for this account but i get the benefit of those extras. I currently have a overdraft of £2250 even though i hardly ever use it.

There customer service team have always been helpful with me on the phone and the service in the bank has always been very good.

Hello there

Does anyone bank with Alliance and Leicester? Who has a Premier Direct current Account? I have been with A&L for the past year and a half and I am losing the will to live. There customer service is appalling. I recently asked for an overdraft and I was turned down. I have tried several times but no luck I'm afraid. What really gets me is that I credit my account each month just under 3k and they are unwilling to give me an overdraft facility. How unfair is this?! I am on the verge of moving my money to another bank. My credit score with Experian is 910 out of 1000 which is good. I don't understand. I have had a couple of charges on my account but nothing major. All under £20.00. Can anyone recommend a good bank.

Thanks,

Lisa