2 cash point located on a busy street which means when you queue (and there's always queue's)…read moreyou'll also be in everyone's way.

Perhaps it isn't as modern as many of the other branches on New Street (and trust me it's a lot)…read morebut this HSBC store, located right before the crossing where you can turn left for the Grand Central, or carry on across the road for the Apple Store heading towards Colmore Row, it still is a pretty decent branch consisting of probably the most banking machines (paying in/withdrawing money) I've seen in a bank. The store is pretty large and it does offer a good deal of basic facilities, while the emphasis on digital banking is low - but considering the amount of newer and more digital banks nearby that's ok. The opening hours of 9 am to 6 pm every-day, other than Tuesday's where they open half an hour later for training and Sunday's where obviously they don't open are also amongst the best in the area. The staff seemed friendly enough. While this HSBC store doesn't really do anything that makes me scream "Wow" and it isn't overly impressive, it merely does the job with a decent range of basic facilities in a good, central Birmingham location. 3*

I have been a customer of HSBC bank for a long, long time. I originally started my account before…read morestarting University (in the days forgotten when they offered either a free railcard or a £50 cash bonus when you opened a Student account) in Newport Pagnell. My local branch was small, personal and welcoming in the little town that I grew up in; nothing like the megabank monstrosity that is on New Street. This bank had a refurb a couple of years ago to make it more "modern", but in reality they took away a good 90% of counter services and replaced it with automated ATM's and paying in machines (to minimise staffing) and add a new "business banking" section (as business customers must make them much more moolah than personal ones). This all sounds very negative, but it's a bank... It's all about money. I popped in for the first time in ages last week to pay some physical cash into my account. As I had coins, I couldn't go down the machine route and had to use counter services instead. First things first, I was greeted and aided by a member of staff (as I probably looked a little bewildered) and even though it was lunchtime, it wasn't jam packed. I duly filled in my paying in form at one of the many counters (with working pens, I might add) and mooched on over to counter services. Again, it was lunchtime, so there was a queue. That being said, I was at the counter within about 10 minutes; so no complaints there! The young lady who served me was helpful, polite and very pleasant to deal with. I had counted out the various denominations of coins and notes and she duly recounted (not being annoyed that I had made an error on my paying in form) and efficiently dealt with my enquiry. I was in and out in around 20 minutes. This was at about 1pm in the afternoon, so hat's off to the staff who kept things moving swiftly whilst still being helpful and offering service with a smile. I'm not going to tell you to use this bank necessarily (I'm sure other banks offer much better personal accounts), but if you do have cause to enter this huge temple to capitalism on New Street; it's A OK with me.

Despite the Jewellery Quarter being a buzzing area filled with pubs, restaurants and attractions,…read morethere is a distinct lack of cash points outside the central clock area. This branch of Barclays is situated just before the clock and next to the Italian restaurant, Portofino. There is only one whole in the wall (which can mean there is sometimes a queue of an evening), but it is more reliable than most of the other equivalents. This machine doesn't give you the option of dispensing fivers, but it's never been "out" of money (unlike the local Tesco or HSBC) and there are parking spaces right by it, if you need to grab and dash. In situations like last weekend (where all the cashpoints were broken) it can be a bit of a lifesaver.

The quickest bank queue ever! This place is so quick most of the time, the staff are still friendly…read moreeven though they are so fast they always have time for a smile! Plus its easily located in the middle of Broad St, with two cash machines outside that are open 24/7 and are free for all. Its clean, quick and convienient.

An easy walk from the library to get to this bank and its normally open on a Saturday morning which…read moreis an added bonus . However it is probably the busiest bank in Redditch. There are normally plenty of counter staff although be prepared to queue at peak times. There are plenty of staff in the other areas waiting to help you with personal banking and there is also a business banking section. There are cash machines both inside and out if you want to bypass the counters.

Barclays bank is situation away from the shops down the hill past te library. Its easy to get to if…read moreyou park a lidl and walk over( watch for the car park attendant) or cut through the market place at the back of debs. They have a large branch, with lots of counters, although they can get very, very busy at the weekends and the wait can be annoying, same in most banks. They have desk areas when you can sit with someone for help and offices for super private business.

Santander on Corporation Street by Santander's standards is a fairly cool branch, it opened in July…read more2019 and inside it is pretty large and modern and goes against the typical look, layout and feel of a Santander which I feel is pretty much stuck in the past. Major flaws include the opening hours - during the week they open at 9:30 am and close at 5 pm, This is probably amongst the worst of major banks in the area, with HSBC which is a minute away both opening earlier at 9 am and closing later at 6 pm, Virgin Money which is also nearby goes a step further with hours of 9 am to 6:30 pm, which is a shame. I do also think the store seemed a little understaffed and service was slightly slow around the store. A clean modern bank branch, despite its' flaws and I'm sure it is a warm welcome to Birmingham city centre in its' new location next to Urban Outfitters on Corporation Street, just off New Street and opposite the now-vacated Vodafone unit. 3*

Most definately the best branch of Natwest in Birmingham. Central to everything and everyone,…read moreclean, calm and organised. Of course you have to queue - it wouldn't be a bank otherwise! However you never have to wait too long here as you nearly always get served by friendly staff within 10 minutes at busy times and 5 minutes at off peak times, which as I'm sure most of you will know is pretty great for a bank. If you happen to be in the city centre and are in need of a Natwest then do visit this one!

This bank is refreshingly overstaffed and under-customed. The staff are always available to help…read moreand they have a special section for business customers. Inside there is only one cash machine, which is usualy empty but can get busy at lunchtimes. There is also a cashpoint outside which is kind of tucked away and out of sight of the bank's front entrance.