Barclays Bank is situated in a grand building in the centre of Ipswich, just behind the main…read moresquare. It has recently undergone a programme of refurbishment and some problems with queuing and lack of space were frustrating on a Saturday. However, the branch is always well staffed on the weekend. Do be there before 12 or you run the risk of finding yourself shut out. All staff I've dealt with have been helpful, efficient and smiley. Beware, there is a tendency to hard sell some of the loan and mortgage products - even if you're just at the counter! If you can handle rebutting them every few minutes it's a pleasant place to bank.

Crikey - this was a throw back to the past. I hadn't been in a building society for years doing all…read moremy finances on line but had to go in for my Dad. It took ages to pay in a cheque ... there were only three other people in the queue in front of me waiting to be served but the staff seem to have to input an awful lot of stuff! It took nearly 20 mins in total from arriving to getting out! By way of distraction, a staff member was helping another customer who had elected to use the machines inside the branch and it had taken her card "happens all the time" he cheerfully said before fetching a long pair of metal tweezers to insert into the slot. Now I know 'elf and safety' has gone mad but I did flinch watching him stick this metal object into an electrically powered machine ... I'm never going back ... don't think my nerves and patience will take it.

My mother recently passed away. She had a couple of accounts with Nationwide the balances of which…read moreneed to be transferred into an Executors' Bank Account. The lady I spoke with, Mercedes, has been courteous, efficient, professional and understanding throughout the whole process. Well done!