Issues, but pleasant service lessens irritation (Natwest Bank)

Member Name: BlaEm

Product:	Natwest Bank
Date:	10/11/09 (19 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Saturday openings, good student account, good customer service

Disadvantages: Managers in branch can't override their computer, told different policies depending who you speak to

I have had a mixed experience with NatWest, and as with other reviewers here the only reason I don't drop them immediately and bank elsewhere is because the 'current economic situation' has caused banks to act as if you've applied for a £100,000 loan instead of just a current account.

I applied for a student account with them in 2005 because a) I wanted the railcard and b) my older sister had banked with them, and some of her peers had experienced hassle with other providers.

By far the best facility is the interest free overdraft, as unlike some student accounts they make it really easy to pay off once you've graduated. Also, they don't automatically hike it up each year, so you don't have to increase it if you don't want to. I found that a £1,600 overdraft was more than adequate in the final year, and the extra £400 they increased it by in the June of my graduation was some free finance towards my 'Gap-summer'.

It was also pretty easy to get a student credit card (at the time!), which I got and used in order to get myself a credit rating - although a fat lot of good that has done me now ;)

The following January I applied for a current account as I was finding it unmotivating to pay off my overdraft when I was getting paid into the same account. I have since transferred in to their e-isa and opened a joint account with my other half (again, when they're the only bank that will have you your choices are limited, lol!).

All well and good, you get a £100 interest free overdraft with each account, their customer service in branch has always been excellent.

The problem came when I tried to upgrade my student credit card to a normal one. It has taken me 11 months and finally they have been able to override the 'computer says no' response so that an actual human being can verify that I am, in fact, not a student! During this I have allowed my credit rating to take a bashing with various applications made upon the banks insistence that 'they were sure it would work, this time', and also have them cancel my student card on occasion with no warning (it's okay, they reinstated it!)

I guess my issues have been unique glitches though, and the actual *people* I have spoken with have been very helpful.

My real bugbear with NatWest is how much they charge you to use your card abroad - so as soon as Nationwide will give me a proper account and not just a cashcard, I'll do most of my banking with them.

Summary: I'm sure that all banks present some problems - so here are mine with NatWest :)