How do you make your banking choice?

When I was 15 I opened a Midland Bank Account whilst I was at school. Reason? They gave you a free bag and a football :D

HSBC subsequently bought up Midland. I've had an HSBC current account ever since, and have seen no desire to change.
 
Barclays were the only bank to give me an account when I came to the country.

I was in a catch-22, "you need a bank account to get a job" "you need a job to get a bank account", loop, but my brother banked with Barclays so vouched for me.

Stuck with them due to the small overdraft limit they let me keep even when I was clearing off an IVA. Will jump ship to First Direct as soon as I can in May.
 
Barclays. Family banked with them and they were around the corner. Never had a reason to change.
 
Conscript said:
When I was 15 I opened a Midland Bank Account whilst I was at school. Reason? They gave you a free bag and a football :D

HSBC subsequently bought up Midland. I've had an HSBC current account ever since, and have seen no desire to change.
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I something free, can't remember what, when I opened my Midland Bank Account when I was 14. Been with HSBC since, not a single issue and their Graduate Mortgage many a moon ago came in quite useful. :)
 
Personal accounts = which ever is conveniently located and easy access.
Credit Cards = most % cash back on all transactions.

Business accounts = whole different story. Want one with the best customer service and client relationship building. I have the cell phone number of 'my guy' that can get anything done for me, signatures etc can come later. Ease of use!
Most branches etc require far too much red tape for my liking.
 
I went with Natwest as I live in a small village and they are the only branch within walking distance. Been pretty happy with them, too.
 
I'm about to move to a Santander 123 account for the cash back benefits because I've just taken out a mortgage with them.
 
I did join Barclays once when they had a promotion, something about collecting Hula Hoop packets and they gave you free money or something.
 
Been with Loyds TSB and that was not great due some of their great "fees", switched to Barclays, was quite good and happy with em.
 
Jono8 said:
I am with Santander because their 123 account is awesome. Never had an issue with them either and they are always very helpful. Taking out a mortgage with them as well at the moment.
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Santander 123 Account
Santander 123 Credit Card
Santander Mortgage
????
Profit!
 
Nationwide because they used to do free useage abroad. Now I can't be bothered to change as it's just a current account and small savings account. Intrest rate variation is so small it makes no difference between banks/BS. Besides nationwide has a pretty good internet banking system.

The only reason I would change is if another bank had a debit card I could use for free abroad...
 
TSB since I was a kid and they are a local bank and easy to get to. Not so important nowadays but still handy for grovelling to the bank manager :D
 
I have stopped using banks for most things. No longer will my cash be used to help self serving, non regulated thieves. I have cancelled most direct debits and use other methods to pay bills. Banks need our participation to survive, ive removed mine.
 
Jokester said:
Santander 123 Account
Santander 123 Credit Card
Santander Mortgage
????
Profit!
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got our motgage approved with them today (pending valuation) and already got a 123 account.

Just need the credit card now to complete the set ( although i already have 3 credit cards so not sure on that quite yet)!
 
I started out with the Post Office bank. Remember that blue book for current account, and a grey book for the savings account? When I turned 18, I then got an Alliance & Leicester current account which I think was the same company back then, or at least affiliated. Then they became Santander 5-6 years ago.
 
I went with the cheapest mortgage rate, one of the conditions was I had to move my current account over.

Before that I had just stuck with the same bank where my parents originally opened an account for me! Never felt I had any reason to move.
 
Westyfield2 said:
Lloyds, because I trust them the most with regards to not going bust. Plus remember that although they received some of the government bailout in 2008 (but are doing well on paying it back), they only needed it because of buying HBOS as Gordon told them to - if Lloyds hadn't bought HBOS they wouldn't have needed a bailout.
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Strange post is strange.

You do realise Lloyd's I effect DID go bust - they did not have the required capital to service their obligations - hence were subject to a huge government bail out. Without it, they would have gone under. Government didn't force them to do anything - they made a business decision. Great you like your bank, but weird to say you trust them for not going bust when they needed the government to stop them from doing so.
 
Used to be with Santander, no mobile app so binned them.

Barclays then decided they don't allow their app to work on rooted phones, binned them and moved to Natwest. It's good to keep a track of everything using the phone apps and ease of moving the cash around joint accounts/credit card/current account. Certainly changed my experience with banks for the better.
 
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