This discussion is now closed.

Check out other Related discussions

Lloyds TSB vs HSBC vs Barclays

I'm considering switching to one of the above banks from my current one. Seeing as the (non-student) accounts seem pretty comparable at all three banks, my decision will mostly be based on the standard of customer service.

If you happen to bank with either Lloyds TSB, HSBC or Barclays, I'd be extremely thankful for any opinions regarding their customer services, either good or bad.

Reply 1

OM47

Hsbc by far has the best customer service in my opinion, everytime I have rang to sort something out they have always been helpful and understanding. The online baking service they provide is awesome because they offer free antivirus software to all customers!

Reply 2

345h455g456h4s

OP

From perusing the online demonstrations, Lloyds TSB's online banking seems to be superior to HSBC's and Barclays', however, I've been told their customer service has a tendency to be slightly lacklustre.

Reply 3

xlizx

13

Ive been with Lloyds for about 12 years and the internet and phone banking are really good, and when you phone with any problems they are really helpful, customer service when you go into the bank isnt bad but its not amazing

Reply 4

345h455g456h4s

OP

Thanks for the replies, OM47 and Xlizx. Anyone else?

Reply 5

avila

10

Been with Barclays the last three years, but I can't say much about them, really. The debit card does the job, and I supposedly have some overdraft that I've never had to use.

A Barclays employee bitched at me once in their Reading branch when I wanted to deposit a cheque but didn't fill in one of their weird forms for it first. I really think that was a one-off thing though and the person behind the counter just had a bad day.

They blocked a debit card transaction once because it was for a company in the United States and I didn't advise their fraud department about it in advance. Whether that's a good thing or not... I don't know.

Currently considering switching to another bank though. I initially wanted to switch to the Co-Op bank because they have an ethical policy and I'm a Co-Op member, but they "lost" my application during the process. :rolleyes:

Santander seemed promising, but a friend said they might not be that good. :s-smilie:

Reply 6

michael321

14

Original post

by Trimeresurus

I'm considering switching to one of the above banks from my current one. Seeing as the (non-student) accounts seem pretty comparable at all three banks, my decision will mostly be based on the standard of customer service.

If you happen to bank with either Lloyds TSB, HSBC or Barclays, I'd be extremely thankful for any opinions regarding their customer services, either good or bad.

I'm with Lloyds and they have been very good so far. Helpful/friendly customer service, good internet banking, nice £10/one day unauthorised overdraft buffer and so on.

But tbh it's luck of the draw. You hear great things and horror stories about every bank, best thing to do is avoid Santander and then pray for good service :redface:

Reply 7

jabed786

15

HSBC have always been very very helpful to me and I like their student account deal (e.g. you can go into overdraft without telling them and they dont charg a fine). Only problem with them is they havent made a HSBC app just yet but they have said they will make one. I've been with them for about 8 years.

Reply 8

Baller

10

I was with HSBC for about 7 years and got a good overdraft limit during uni (I think it was £1.5k at year 4). I left them a year after uni because they cheapened out when I wanted a larger overdraft/credit limit, applied for a mortgage and business bank account. Bear in mind that I am their ideal type of customer (always pays bills on time, pays a good amount in interest rates, low debt/earnings ratio).

I work, make real money and it seems that Lloyds TSB rewards me for that. HSBC declined my mortgage application rather quickly whereas Lloyds approved it despite being a fairly new customer. I got £10k credit limit on the business credit card (as opposed to £5k from HSBC) when I started my business, and the credit limit on my personal credit card is twice of what HSBC offered (same interest rate though). I felt that lloyds trusted me more even as a new customer, while HSBC had a low level of trust despite being with them since I was 16!

The banking system of lloyds is also much better, and the HSBC one seems to only have been improved aesthetically.

I had a business bank account for a month with HSBC and the difference between the personal and business banking customer service (usually at different floor in the branch) would surprise you. With lloyds I get the same customer service as a personal customer that I would get as a business customer with HSBC.

HSBC isn't terrible, but Lloyds TSB would be the best in my opinion.

Reply 9

345h455g456h4s

OP

All things considered, I think I shall go with Lloyds TSB. Even if their current debit card is horrendously ugly :p:

Reply 10

Jmzie-Coupe

14

Lloyds are excellent, I have a variety of financial products with them and they provide stellar service on each. Online banking is a breeze and having several bank accounts myself, Lloyds is by far the most superior to the others.

Reply 11

angela.

7

I used to have a HSBC bank account and they were not that helpful. My cousin have problem with them and they are not that helpful, specially their customer service keep transferring him to different departments which later on he has to pay a massive telephone bill.
I myself am quite happy with Lloyd TSB, they have a good customer service.

Reply 12

Lana_07

2

I'm with Barclays at the moment and switched from Halifax.
They have given me free Kaspersky security for up to 3 computers as I was using online banking.

They were really good when I organised to go abroad and told them the dates I was going and when I would be back (went for 5 months) and gave me all the banks in Australia and New Zealand where I could get a free withdrawal :smile:

Just my opinion :colondollar:

(edited 14 years ago)

Reply 13

SebCross

14

Original post

by Trimeresurus

Original post

by Trimeresurus

I'm considering switching to one of the above banks from my current one. Seeing as the (non-student) accounts seem pretty comparable at all three banks, my decision will mostly be based on the standard of customer service.

If you happen to bank with either Lloyds TSB, HSBC or Barclays, I'd be extremely thankful for any opinions regarding their customer services, either good or bad.

I've switched to Barclays from Santander fairly recently and the Barclays people were so helpful about the whole thing, and the customer service has been really first-rate. I thoroughly recommend Barclays.

Reply 14

Hedgeman49

17

I've been with Lloyds TSB since 2002 and haven't had a single problem.

Lloyds TSB vs HSBC vs Barclays

Related discussions

How The Student Room is moderated