All four of the main banks can be found a stone's throw awayb from each other in the market place…read more LLloyds TSB sits at the bottom of Cheap Street, overlooking the Market Place and the Boyle Cross. In former days this was a grand Georgian Civic Hall, and the building has been sympathetically converted inside, retaining the high ceilings and covings, whilst having to add the neccessary partitioning and security arrangements. Nicely laid out, there are the main service counters, separate Enquiry desks and a few places to sit and write up paying-in slips etc. On the ground floor there are also a couple opf small private interview rooms for miscellaneous business. The staff are all local and as such aware of local issues. I have always found them helpful and courteous. The branch opens on a Saturday morning for extra convenience, and out side has two cashpoints and a night-safe paying-in box.

This is a credit union run by volunteers…read more It costs £3 to join and £1 opens your account. There are three branches - Parkstone, Bournemouth and Christchurch. Interest is paid at 1.5 percent per month, apr 19%. Yes folks! I am looking forward to doing some work with them from April as a budget coach - er no, not a bus! At present it is much safer to save money in Credit Unions as the base rate with banks is so low. Older people can benefit greatly as well as others on a low income.

If you've been a student, you'll know the fear and loathing felt when checking your bank statement…read more But this branch of Lloyds TSB has some of the most efficient and helpful staff I've ever met in a bank. They take the time to listen, offer great advise and don't go for 'the hard sell' when you loosely ask about opening a savings account. It genuinely seems that your needs come first - which makes a welcome change! This branch rarely has queues, which makes it a great place to pop in a cheque on your lunch hour. They also have in-store cash machines, deposit machines and a separate help-desk if you need some one-to-one advise. They also have trays of free Murray Mints on the desk which I think is sweet touch (see what I did there?)