The Nationwide has been operating in one form or another apparently as far back as 1846…read more Interesting fact... This particular branch of the UK building society is located fantastically at the very top of Bedford Street, looking onto the City Hall and the hustle and bustle of Belfast city life. The ideal location makes it one of the busier branches that I have visited and as a faithful member, I have frequented this branch a number of times. One particular time which sums up exactly what Nationwide is about was when I went in to get some information about a new credit card. I only wanted a leaflet which I could read on the bus home (it was pouring with rain and I didn't fancy walking) but the nice lady behind the magic screen told me of all of the benefits of various cards, what would best suit a student and what would best suit me. We spoke for nearly ten minutes and although I didn't sign up there and then, I did come out knowing a lot more than I did when I went in. That in itself is the best thing about Nationwide because they are customer friendly. They are not there to make a quick buck. They want to help you with your finances as best they can. Though the security man looked a bit suspicious of me. It could have been that it was closing time and he wanted me out into the rain... Never the less the staff are lovely and very helpful. It's all you can ask from a bank these days as no one has any money.

Weirdly I feel quite affectionate about Nationwide Building Society and especially this branch in…read morethe heart of Belfast. A stones throw away from City Hall it couldn't get any more convenient. Facilities include 2 manned kiosks with always friendly and helpful staff. They also have recently installed 2 ATM's within the building itself and a machine where you can lodge paychecks. Although I always prefer doing this the old fashioned way - besides you can't beat a bit of human interaction. One thing that might trip you up at this branch is the door. Yes, I said the door. They have installed a security door where you have to press a button to get in and out. This door bamboozled me on my first visit after they installed it and to be honest it still catches me out. This is a great branch - just watch out for that door - trust me you'll thank me for that tip!

This local credit union is a real establishment in North Belfast. Pretty much everyone has an…read moreaccount here, because they are waaaaayy better than a bank and more trustworthy. You can save away and then borrow against your earnings and they always have realistic payback agreements, and never let you borrow an unbelievable amount that you know you won't be able to pay back. They are helpful, courteous and down-to-earth - the staff always remember you and treat you as a valued customer, which is more than I can say for some banks. They recently had a new building established and it's light, spacious and modern, with suitable seating for those waiting to be seen, and lots of information about upcoming local events on the LCD montitors scattered around. They are also heavily involved in developing and improving the community and recently held the Newington Credit Union Young Peoples Awards, which were a testament to thier commitment to the local people. If you live in Belfast and you haven't got a Credit Union Account, I would recommend you get started....you'll thank me.

Newington Credit Union is a fantastic facility for the community to take advantage of. Everyone I…read moreknow has an account and would use it before even considering going to a bank for a loan. You put money into your account and thus are able to borrow either on the value of your savings or against your wages, the latter enabling you to take out more. The staff are always really friendly and remember your face. As Emma P said, the building went through a complete revamp and it now looks fantastic. The old building reminded me of some sort of centre were you got your communal wages in the GDR.

This is my go to bank. Right by the bus stop at city hall. A lot of the Santander banks have…read moreclosed around the city centre but this one still stands and it's probably because it's one of the best there is. There is a mortgage advisor on site and they have small offices for private meetings. Queuing times are very quick never waiting more than 5 minutes.

What a shambles. Phoned to get a stop put on my account due to an unauthorised action on my…read moreaccount. Had to go through several different departments. It was annoying enough that they all had different opening times, but here was the real fun: one line asked me for my online banking details (luckily I was online at that point); another asked me for my sort code and account number; another line on another day (due to marvellous opening hours) asked me for my bank card details. If my sort code and account number plus security questions is good enough for one line, why is it not for the others? Why do different lines want different details, insisting that they can do nothing without the specific details they ask for, and that the other details are useless to them? Sounds like a total mess due to systems that aren't synced, but I don't know. I just know that whomever set it up did not think, 'how can I make it easy for customers to report stuff?' So if you happen to be walking around with your card details, online banking login details, and sort code and account number on you (or in your head) at 1 o'clock in the day, you'll be fine to report any problems or raise any queries (actually, 1pm might be a problem - most employees probably head off for lunch at that time, given the gruelling banking hours they have to endure). And the online 'virtual assistant'? i.e. enter a question and we'll see if it matches any queries we've had before, and we'll hope you don't notice it isn't a live chat. Oh, and then I phone to say I've located the source of the unauthorised activity on my account (and it was unauthorised activity), that the matter has been resolved, and that my account should be unfrozen. The person on the phone says they have unfrozen it. Given that I knew a few people who formerly worked for Ulster Bank, I was familiar with stories of, "Yeah, doing that for you now.", while actually doing nothing at all, but not wanting to inform the customer of some inefficiency in the bank's systems and processes that doesn't permit logical requests to be taken and actioned. I check the next day and the account has not been unfrozen. (I almost die of shock, but am resuscitated by my new cunning life plan to get a job in a bank.) I almost miss dealing with the DVA. No, wait, I didn't mean that, I take it back! Nothing can prepare you the journey of misery (which I can't properly describe, but would liken to a more severe iteration of Andy Dufresne's 500 yard crawl, without the exultant finish) that is dealing with the ineptitude and insidiousness of the DVA...(I must do a review for them once I finish the course of therapy I required after dealing with their record-breaking idiocy.)

Worked in ulster bank call centre situated in Belfast Donegal square east. Was employed as security…read morein front office of the building. Front office security manager lacks moral ethical compass. Her behaviours ranged from gaslighting, playing mind games, pathologically lying, smear campaigns to deflection towards her staff. Got out of there as fast I could.

A credit union is a group of people who save together and lend to each other at a fair and…read morereasonable rate of interest. But credit unions world-wide offer members much more than financial services. They provide members the opportunity to own their own financial institution and help them create opportunities such as starting small businesses, building family homes and educating their children. In some countries, members encounter their first taste of democratic decision making through their credit unions. Ormeau Credit Union is one of the largest credit unions in Northern Ireland. Located at 252 Ormeau Road in south Belfast, we have been in existence since the early 1960's and currently have around 8000 account holders. Membership is open to anyone who has something in common with the rest of our membership. In credit union parlance this is known as the common bond of membership. Generally that means if you live or work in central or south Belfast (including Carryduff) you should be able to join. The service provided here is really brilliant and in the current economic climatethe need for Credit Unions is even greater and this one is brilliant. The staff are local and friendly and always willing to help you out.

Joined 2 years ago for help with wedding applied for 1st loan having saved nearly 2500 got declined…read moreso took out a secured loan basically borrowed my own money back then 10 monthd later tryed again for a unsecured loan still owing them money but haven't missed any payments work full time good wages got declined again I'm high risk Cuz I wasted to clear some credit card debt just don't understand how in other credit union people who aren't working get money ok no this for a fact husband mother in one so I closed account never join again maybe other credit union are different but I'm disappointed

I have worked in lots of banks throughout my time studying and like to think that I know what I'm…read moretalking about when it comes to the level of service expected from banks and financial institutions. I have had to go in here a couple of times with my friend and checked out the level of service that was on offer. To be honest I wasn't blown away by the service but I have definitely seen worse. The queue was quite long when I was first in but the tellers managed it well and there was plenty of self service options for anyone who didn't want to queue. The staff were friendly, efficent and helpful when we finally got to the counter so I can't really complain about this place at all.It was clean and tidy and certainly not a bad experience at all.

Excellent customer service from all staff members. Very helpful with setting up my account and…read moreother matters. The first gentleman who helped me wrote me a list of suggestions to help me get my account set up then I had another lovely lady help me open it up and was very patient with my son who was with me and a little fussy. Every time I go in I feel so welcome and always offer advice I need. Will be sticking to this bank :)