Lloyds: A good bank if you like online banking (Lloyds TSB)

Member Name: milly234

Product:	Lloyds TSB
Date:	06/10/09 (37 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: good online banking, good service, free

Disadvantages: minor issues

I have banked with Lloyds for over 4 years now, choosing them at 16 because my parents bank with them and because they were the only account I could find that would give me a visa debit (compared to a solo or switch) at 16. I have sticked with them though, but chose not to upgrade my under 19s account to the student one, as Natwest offered me a better student deal, so I currently have the Classic Lloyds account, and I have recently opened the "invcentive saver".

I don't have a lot to do with banking really but I have to say I very regularly use online banking to pay bills and to pay other people and just move money to savings and check on my balance. I really like the lloyds system as it is easy to use and I don't have to have one of those chip and pin machines for them. They have recently upped the security though so if you want to add a new payee to your account they have to call you to check it you (takes about 1 minute). This is a bonus as it means I can do my banking whenever and wherever I like, without having to carry around the little machine.

The biggest problem I have had with lloyds are;
1) They tried to charge me £20 because my cheque hadn't cleared in time for my rent to come out. This was pretty much my fault but I went into the bank and asked about it and the lady waived it for me, saying they could do that once a year.

2) When my old card expired, they didn't send me a new one so I was without a card for about 10 days and I went to the branch and had to call them a few times - very annoying.

3) every time I go to the branch they try to make me sign up to their credit card which I don't really want right now.

Apart from these (quite minor things) another thing is that I have been so impressed with the service and especially compared to other banks, I reccomended it to my boyfriend. He tried to open the account but he got a letter saying he was refused on a credit basis (no debt, just short time at address, no income at the moment) even though the account comes with no overdraft etc.

The incentive saver is ok if you don't want instant access to your money. I think the rate is about 3% at the moment which is ok and I like how quickly you can move the money from your current account. If you withdraw though you get no interest for that month so I am using it as a long term savings thing, intending that when I want/need the money I will take it all out the day after I get paid the interest.

I have a visa debit card with this account, and a cheque book and I use the account for standing orders, direct debits and paying money in and out to other people andd bills. I think it is pretty easy to navigate and use and the people in the branches are normally very friendly.

You get sent regular statements and you can print them yourself if you want to too.

Overall I think it is a good bank if you have no special requirements, it is easy to use and the customer service is pretty good compared to other banks.

Summary: A pretty good, standard and simple account