Decent Online Bank Anyone?

[Mosaic]

After a hilarious 20-min phonecall to my existing (a well known high street bank), it transpired that their website's been out of action for over a week, their phone lines keep breaking down - but if I download their mobile banking app, I won't need to go through their security checks......oh, and they have 'insufficient data' on me to assist my query, as I've only banked with them for 40 years.

Enough already. Any recommendations from AB for a reliable online bank?

[hc4361]

Santander

[naomi24]

First Direct without a doubt. Never a problem - and if you want to talk to someone you get a real person with no hanging around.

[ubasses]

First Direct consistently come out top in the surveys. They only do on line and telephone Banking and do it well. You can use any HSBC branch to withdraw cash and pay into the account

[wolf63]

I agree with hc - Santander are reliable and I get more interest on my current account with them than on my ISA. Santander123 account.

[Ninnynanny]

Smile, the online banking arm of the Co-op Bank. I have banked online with Smile since they started, simple and straightforward, very easy to use website. Bank transfer, DD, bill payments etc everything you need to operate an efficient online current account. I have never had any kind of problem.

[Ninnynanny]

Ps. Sorry, you have a debit card which can use to withdraw money from shop and ATM machines and you can pay cheques and cash in via post office machine and cheques via free post. Also almost instant reply to your secure messages. Never have to use a phone to contact them.

[mosesg]

Nationwide it is a building society but have never had any problems.

[Sipowicz]

Another vote here for Santander 123 account.

[SlackAlice]

Nationwide for me. Never had a problem with online banking.

They have good customer services in every branch. No idea about 'phone banking because I wouldn't consider storing any info on my mobile, secure app or not.

[sandyRoe]

Nationwide. Though it's not actually a bank.

[ubasses]

Sorry to poo poo the Santander option, but good interest rate or not, if I was looking for good customer service I would not touch them with a barge pole ever again. never experienced such awful service in my life.

[gingejbee]

Agree^^^re Santander. First Direct always tops the Which? satisfaction tables.

[bednobs]

having banked with Santander for 20+ years, i never understtod why people used to go on about their poor customer service ..... Until i tried to buy a new house, and extend my existing mortgage. when i complained, they offere me £100 for my troubles. Two weeks later, i had to chase htem for it!!

[FrogNog]

Santander

[Mosaic]

Thank you all for the suggestions - broadly similar to moneysavingexpert listings as well.

[ubasses]

@ Bednobs, they gave me £100 as well, seems they think this will shut us up. First time have ever lost my temper on the phone when I ended up shouting at them that I did not want compensation but did want some good customer service.

[renjith083]

WB21. with out any doubts I can say that. The best online bank and they charge only less fee for international transactions. You can open an account instantly online. WB21 has operations in 180 countries and deals with 28 currencies.