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> - no physical branches Massive positive for me. I've never had a good experience going to a physical bank branch (if they're ever even open), and now I'll ne

> - no physical branches Massive positive for me. I've never had a good experience going to a physical bank branch (if they're ever even open), and now I'll never have to go again

dazc 7y ago
I recently visited my local branch after shooting myself in the foot when re-installing their app and locking my account. After waiting a couple of minutes, a lovely lady sorted out my problem with no fuss at all. I agree, mostly I never need to step foot in a branch but sometimes it helps to be reminded that there are advantages of doing business 'face to face'.
kurtisc 7y ago
I agree. If a bank has physical branches to fall back on, they can squander the online/phone story. This has happened with another bank I use which has a website with a broken account creation form and phone lines that just die. For most banks, they might as well not have any branches as I can't get to them at a reasonable opening hour and they have no incentive to change that.
- oarsinsync 7y ago
  > I agree. If a bank has physical branches to fall back on, they can squander the online/phone story And meanwhile First Direct has a mediocre website and terrible mobile app experience when compared to the likes of Halifax, TSB, RBS, Barclays, all of which are sub-par compared to the likes of Monzo or Starling as far as the app experience goes. Then again, Monzo and Starling don't have a desktop experience, so good luck if you wan't to do anything more than just looking at a few transactions on the go.
collyw 7y ago
Taking away the option of doing something is positive?
- Jonnax 7y ago
  One of my bank accounts didn't let me change my address online. I had to go to the bank and do it. A branchless bank must have an alternative
  - collyw 7y ago
    So what you actually need is the ability to change your address online. Not the ability to go into a physical branch removed.

> - no physical branches Massive positive for me. I've never had a good experience going to a physical bank branch (if they're ever even open), and now I'll never have to go again

dazc 7y ago

I recently visited my local branch after shooting myself in the foot when re-installing their app and locking my account. After waiting a couple of minutes, a lovely lady sorted out my problem with no fuss at all. I agree, mostly I never need to step foot in a branch but sometimes it helps to be reminded that there are advantages of doing business 'face to face'.

kurtisc 7y ago

I agree. If a bank has physical branches to fall back on, they can squander the online/phone story. This has happened with another bank I use which has a website with a broken account creation form and phone lines that just die. For most banks, they might as well not have any branches as I can't get to them at a reasonable opening hour and they have no incentive to change that.

oarsinsync 7y ago
> I agree. If a bank has physical branches to fall back on, they can squander the online/phone story And meanwhile First Direct has a mediocre website and terrible mobile app experience when compared to the likes of Halifax, TSB, RBS, Barclays, all of which are sub-par compared to the likes of Monzo or Starling as far as the app experience goes. Then again, Monzo and Starling don't have a desktop experience, so good luck if you wan't to do anything more than just looking at a few transactions on the go.

collyw 7y ago

Taking away the option of doing something is positive?

Jonnax 7y ago
One of my bank accounts didn't let me change my address online. I had to go to the bank and do it. A branchless bank must have an alternative
- collyw 7y ago
  So what you actually need is the ability to change your address online. Not the ability to go into a physical branch removed.