This branch of TSB is on Parliament Street on York. Considering it is the only TSB branch in over…read more15 miles, with the nearest other branch being 16.8 miles away in Malton, North Yorkshire (around an hour away on public transport), a location of TSB is definitely needed here. The bank inside is satisfactory, it is quite spacious and modern with a decent amount of banking machines where you can pay in and withdraw money and of course, there is free wifi. It is one of the more modern TSB branches I have visited too, being a customer of TSB for many years now I've often found their stores to be more old fashioned and not as nice as other banks but this location is up there with TSB stores at Manchester - Market Street and Newcastle with some of the more modern branches I have visited, beating other TSB branches such as Middleton and Manchester - Cross Street by a significant factor. The staff didn't seem too friendly or eager to help, sadly I find this to be common practice with TSB, more than any other UK bank. On the average side of a bank in general, however, with some plus points as it was quite modern and spacious inside, and of course with no other TSB banks around this location is vital and important to stay open Overall, an average bank with some good and not so good points so a three-star rating is deserved here.

A rather large HSBC store on Park Row in the Financial Quarter of Leeds in the city centre, from…read morethe outside seeing this bank at first I just said "Wow", with this HSBC store really standing out in its' location due to being a huge building for a bank which generally doesn't have many branches like this. Opening hours are slightly better than average being open Monday through to Saturday between 9 and 6, albeit they open half an hour later on Tuesday (Strange as most banks open later on Wednesday's for training), and they close an hour earlier on a Saturday's, this is better than average for the area but still lacking compared to B (a brand by Yorkshire Bank) and Metro Bank stores, albeit none of them has branches in Leeds. Booking an appointment at this branch whether it's for a mortgage advisor or set up an account is pretty hard, they often require booking over two weeks in advance (compared to other banks, you can often walk in and get an account the same day, or at least within a day or two or digital banks such as Monzo which you can join from your home in under five minutes), and even then the times are limited and they only seem to let you decide between four times unless you wait another week again. - Considering this bank has longer than average opening hours to have such limited choice in appointments with the latest time always being two hours before they close, is a pretty poor show. A decent large branch of HSBC with good facilities, staff could be a little friendlier (average staff), and the appointment process needs dealing with better. 3*

This is a review of the of Park Row branch in Leeds City Centre…read more I opened a business account with HSBC last year and received okay service. Unfortunately my account manager entered my details wrong which lead to the entire account needing re-addressing and a lot of inconvenience for me, though after this was resolved service has been okay. Upon entering the building you're greeted by a member of staff, which at first seems welcoming but as a regular visitor can grind a little! The self-service machines for paying cheques in is pretty good, usually takes the heat off counter staff. Their business side is generally welcoming with staff greeting everytime and tea/coffee on offer whenever you meet with your account manager. The best thing about business banking compared with other banks is that the account is free for 3 years, and there is only a small fee for cashing cheques (which only occurs after you've reached your 20-something limit per month). Overall a decent bank offering friendly service.

A fairly modern branch for Lloyds Bank standards opposite the Victoria Quarter and just a couple of…read moreminutes away from Trinity Leeds, on Briggate in the city centre. Inside, the branch is quite spacious with a decent number of machines as well as a small area (perhaps too small) with two pads you could log on to, to do some online banking - I would have prefered a bigger digital focuses area and perhaps more space in-between both devices for privacy reasons dealing with confidential banking data however. It is probably one of the better banks in Leeds which isn't in the Financial Quarter (HSBC and Natwest), for being large, modern and pretty much average as what you'd expect a bank to me - sadly Leeds does have various sub-par banks I have also reviewed from Santander to Yorkshire Bank, and even Halifax who are a member of the same banking group as this one. The opening hours are quite good, although it isn't open on Sunday like 99% of banks in England, during the week they're open between 9 am and 6 pm which is surely amongst the best in the city, only closing an hour earlier on a Saturday, and opening half an hour later on a Wednesday. A spacious branch of Lloyds, relatively modern with good opening hours, pretty much has everything you'd expect from an average bank without going overboard - some improvements do need to be made such as a friendlier welcome from the host, perhaps dealing with queues a little quicker and having a larger online banking space similar to Manchester - Market Street branch for example, but still in contention for a solid 3*.

Lloyd's Tsb bank is situated on the Market Cross next to Barclay's bank. After Lloyd's acquired TSB…read moreseveral years ago the branch was extended to the clean spacious building it is today. I have to say I like Lloyd' s Tsb although I liked it better before they merged with TSB as I'd known the staff for years and when as companies merge you often loose a few staff. There are 5 counters there which all open when it is busy (no really they do) Lloyd's have this policy of when there are more that 2 people in front of you they open another counter; and if they are all open you are encouraged to pay in cheques/pay bills in the envelopes provided to save time. Unlike some banks clerks who avoid eye contact and carry on working behind the reinforced glass screens. Like most banks they have the same facilities but unlike some the staff are really friendly and you don't need an appointment if you want to open a standing order, another account or just need advice. There are several small offices where you can discuss your banking business in private. The Banks good but the staff make the branch.

I dislike banking. I suppose it comes from being poor and resenting money and places that have…read moremoney. The least your bank could do is make it a pleasant experience to deal with your money stuffs, but unfortunately I can't say that Natwest does really. Firstly there is their ridiculous opening times. For the most part people work 9-5, Mon-Fri. I too fall into this category. It is therefore not viable for me to bank Mon-Fri. So I must do it on a Saturday. This is not made easy with their shorter opening times. Add to this that there is often only two tellers at this branch, which serves all of Headingley and at a push, Hyde Park, and we start to have problems. It gets a 3/5 as it is useful that it exists in Headingley and not just town. But that's about it.

Ideally placed opposite the Frenchgate centre, this is a reasonably good sized Royal bank of…read morescotland branch. Staff are friendly and are always willing to help, especially when the queue is long. They offer account reviews and help you find the best products for you.

Located on Pavement and York, this Lloyds Bank branch might be located in an old building but…read morethey've done quite a good job bringing the store into the 21st century, making it feel welcoming, spacious and modern. The store has a large amount of comfortable seating, and an emphasis on technology with high bar-style tables with tablets on, of which you can use the Lloyds Bank online banking application. In a way it feels like the store is slightly too big so space is wasted, staff don't seem as friendly or eager to help and there could easily be more cash machines for basic banking activities due to the size of the branch. The store does have free wi-fi which is pretty common of most high-street banks in the UK. Overall, it is a comfortable, spacious branch with the main downfalls being service and space utilisation. 3*

I love this branch of Lloyd s TSB, right in the center of the square and an impressive building -…read morebanking as it used to be. There are cash points outside which make it nice and handy for your shopping or so you can nip over the road to M&S for lunch and there are more cash points inside. It is a really high ceiling ed branch with lovely architrave details (if you happen to be looking at the ceiling that is). The staff are always really friendly and they open on a Saturday so if that's the only time you can get into see them somebody will be free - be warned though there are always a lot of tourists in the summer so there may be a queue. A lovely branch though and great service.

My bank. Part of the HSBC group…read more I can not recommend this bank highly enough. One of my favorite things is having my call answered by a human being 24 hours a day all year round. The more you use this bank, the more convenient it gets. If you've made the payment before, you could quite simply phone them up, go through security, and say "I'd like to pay british gas, £39 from my current account, thank you" job done. They also sent me a case of wine when I signed up for my credit card a few years ago. The staff are attentive and always keen to help.No pushy up-selling. HIGHLY recommended.

First Direct is a brilliant bank…read more I moved to the UK when I was 32. From the moment I arrived I heard horror stories from other expats about the difficulties they had setting up bank accounts. With no prior address, utility bill, or credit history they were often laughed right out of high street banks. I spotted ads for First Direct at the time that were promoting them as the UK's first virtual bank, with all interactions processed online, by phone, or by post. With nothing to lose, I applied for a current account online. They immediately gave me one. They set me up quickly and professionally with no fuss at all. They asked me if I wanted a credit card and gave me a generous limit. I continue to be with First Direct, 7 years and counting, and have always found them to be excellent. If you ring them you get a human being right away, and after answering a couple of security questions they're happy to help you. They keep a close watch on my account and card activities and always ring up if they see anything suspicious. Their web site is easy to use and comprehensive. I've used it for credit card limit increases, savings accounts, foreign currency, and several foreign transfers. First Direct are a subsidiary of HSBC, so if you do need to go into a branch to speak to someone or make a deposit you can do it at any HSBC branch. First Direct had an ad campaign a couple of years ago saying they were the UK's most recommended bank. Everyone I know that uses them feels the same as I do. They're tops.