A BIG downer on my expectations (Lloyds TSB)

Member Name: SAfromSA

Product:	Lloyds TSB
Date:	28/07/08 (61 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: I can draw money from an ATM...

Disadvantages: I can't do anything else!

It all started great, coming over from South Africa on 2 year working visa, I was advised by agents that I can have a UK bank account before even entering the country and was referred to Lloyds based agents in SA. Completed the application, and when approved, it would be sent to the UK address I provided. Sure enough, it was here the moment I set my foot on British soil.

I've since gotten a permanent adress and are permanently employed and my salary gets paid in my Lloyds TSB account. I've been here 5 months, struggled to get my adress changed (after 5 visits to the bank), have never received any statements, have been declined on every contract I've applied for and can't get authorisation when trying to pay money internationally. Only after failing to do all these, I've been told it's because I have an international account, and therefore have 'less privelages' than a normal UK account. First of all, I was never told that my account would be any different and secondly, why is the account I have useless?!

Dealing with the Lloyds TSB branch in Upper str, Islington proved to be a waste of time as the staff there have a 'Im sorry, but that's the way it is' attitude and all I get is shrugging shoulders and aboslutely NO SOLUTION to my problems! Yes, I was given a number to call International Helpdesk, first attempt didn't work as the number did not exist, and after looking up the number myself I was cut short by the International helpdesk operator telling me that this is of no concern to them and I have to call ANOTHER number (World Services).
I have not called them, and I'm not going to. After months of frustration and hours wasted in the bank I've had enough!

-Lloyds doesn't support international internet banking on an INTERNATIONAL account (unless you want to stand in line and spend £20 per transaction)
-Their staff are incompetent
-Lloyds TSB looks down on non-british clients

I was told that Lloyds TSB was the flagship of UK banks, and frankly they are in NO league of the third best bank in a third-world country that I was used to.

Summary: Hello HSBC, goodbye LLoyds TSB!