CRAIGFIN

Does anybody know which banks have UK call centres?

I've been with Lloyds for over 14 years now but a couple of recent call centre enquiries to Bangalore have made my mind up about changing. The people I spoke to are nice and pleasant but are unable to help if you go slightly off their script. They can't think for themselves which is not their fault as they only follow their training. I just think talking to a UK based person would be easier all round. I did some research and Alliance and Leicester did a poll with 87% of customers preferring UK based call centres hence their reason to stay in the UK.

I know Alliance and Leicester have a UK call centre, anybody know of any others?

Craig.

lpski1

Im with the Royal Bank of Scotland and they are UK based, if they changed i would too.

CRAIGFIN

Interesting, I think RBS look after my One Account as well...

lpski1

I've never had any grief with them in 13 years

James Neill

iTrader: (1)

First Direct

JayPSC

Nationwide Building Society, no call centre - just ring my branch

Reffro

Nat West get my vote, uk only and there 24hrs a day.

jimimac

you know what this is just part of a bigger issue , there was a time when the gov. used to have measures to protect the employment in this country , the unions then got destroyed Gov, went terrible and tried to kill the unions and now lets employment go abroad . terrible situ

Suresh

first direct - they have a few 'sweaties' in their call centre but that's not a problem because if I get one, I just ask to be connected to someone who speaks English.

speed demoness

CRAIGFIN

It looks like Nat West and First Direct are getting a few thumbs up. I must admit, I'd never really thought about First Direct but I will have a look at them now.

fast bloke

I bank with Ulster Bank, cos all the other banks have some bunch of illiterate foreigners in the call centres - I would probably cope if they identified themselves properly..... like Geordie, Scouser, Glaswegian, or bangalorist. IMHO Geordie is hardest to understand if you don't know you are talking to a Geordie..
"Ahhh reet - Ahm looking at the case noo an Ah think aal wi need bi way of outstanding paperwork is three months payslips an a couple of autographs. If yee can get tha in reet noo wi can get the offer oot bi close of business tomorrow"

This is fairly easy if you know you are talking to a Nukey Brown drinker, but if you happen to have your Glaswegian ears on then ye willny have the first notion

boxst

Hello

National Westminster (as said above), they have UK call centers and are generally extremely helpful.

Steve

matchmaker

Nat West are of course owned by RBS, hence the UK only/not closing branches/contact your branch direct policies

moveover

First direct gets my vote too. Rang them a few times pleasure to deal with.

MattOz

NatWest gets my vote. Call centre based in Leicester from memory.

AudiLover

natwest are a bunch of incompetent ***** but they do have british call centers.

Scooby Soon!

change to a lloyds business account, then you go straight through to UK staff or manager and no need to wait on the phone

powerman1

have you done it recently...all local branch numbers go to the main call center now

*Sonic*

Yorkshire Bank are uk only

and 24/7 too

paul-s

natwest for me. uk only and 24hr a day service.

you get a branch number which is handy but if you only call your branch thats no good outside of 9-5.

jd

You get that with the LTSB gold/platinum accounts too.. Tenner a month for AA, mobile / travel insurance, sentinel card protection and UK customer services.

AFRIKANZ

Natwest are ace!

CRAIGFIN

Not sure about that as I have the Lloyds TSB Gold account and I get through to Bangalore!!

r32

Same as having a call centre in India then!

chocolate_o_brian

iTrader: (22)

i got the gold account with them. £7 a month, and i have the mobly phone insurance, travel insurance and aa cover for free. plus i got free breakdown cover via another firm with my car insurance. if i breakdown they'll be fighting to tow me away ...

im with lloyds, and generally never have had problems with them. if i cant understand, i hang up and try again.

same with halifax who i have the mortgage through.

andy

marky1

smile - great bank if you just need a current account / savings account.

RMA26

Bradford & Bingley are all UK based

Pumpkin

First direct has quite high fees if/when you go overdrawn

MattW

first direct for me