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!

I used to work for this bank, not this branch but upstairs in one of the other departments. I have…read moreworked in lots of branches so I like to think that I know what I'm talking about. I have been in this particular branch lots and lots of times and being the flasghip branch this is pretty impressive. It is clean, crisp has every amenity that Northern Bank can offer. The staff are top notch and they have excellent self service options, which can help you avoid the queues which, to be honest can be quite big. An excellent city centre bank branch.

Huge, modern refurb has made this a great bank. The cashier desks have multiplied making queue time…read moremuch shorter. The staff are friendly and helpful and the fast lodgements system is quick and keeps lodgers out of major queues. More efficient than most city centre banks.

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.

Was in this branch last Wednesday and was told to bring down 2 forms of I.D when I got there I was…read moretold that I could not withdraw money without a withdrawal statement, the customer service was pathetic and the customer advisor was disgustingly rude when I asked to speak to a manager