Wednesday, 13 June 2007
Bank Woes
Bah! I'm starting to think that banks are a waste of time. This week, we went to investigate four banks (the ones that had been recommended) in town, to help me decide who to switch to. We arrived in town around half three (and had to have some stern words with my bank, first).
The first bank on our list had nobody around to talk to, so we decided to come back later. When we did come back, there was still no one to help us. The next time we walked past it looked closed (it was half four, but the opening times said it stayed open to five?).
Another bank was closed when we went to it (just after four o'clock). It apparently closes at 4pm every week day and is closed on the weekends. This is not a good sign!
We failed to find the third bank, so I think Jon was mistaken about there being a local branch. In fact, I've just looked on their Website and there is definitely no branch in town. :\
The final bank was open and easy to find! Not only that, there was someone eager to talk to us and they were very friendly and helpful. My only concern is that, while it has been recommended, it is also a bank I have heard some bad things about (well, I've heard more bad things about it than about the other three). :S
So, what to do? I can't go to a bank that doesn't have a local branch in my area, and I'd rather have a bank that is open when I need to go there. Which leaves the unfriendly bank who had no one to talk to or the bank that was lowest on my list...
I think I'm going to have to keep looking for now. Tomorrow I'll have to try Unfriendly bank again, and see what other banks are in town that haven't been recommended. Then I'll compare the accounts and the friendliness of staff to form my final decision.
Let's just hope I can find a bank that's better than NatWest!
