There are only 2 branches of Royal Bank of Scotland in Bristol and this one is easiest to get to if…read moreyou are in the centre. Located on busy Baldwin Street, it has a cash point outdoors and 4 teller windows inside. It's a full-service bank: there are staff to help you with setting up accounts, queries and other banking issues. Very helpful and friendly staff.

Welcome to the future. I went to pay some cheques in yesterday and after initially finding that the…read morecity centre HSBC is now a NatWest, managed to track down this new branch which sits in Cabot Circus. As it's just been built, this is presumbly the way all banking is going. No desks, no queues and no cashiers. Just rows of self-service machines which claim to perform all manner of exciting administrative tasks, leaving the staff free to roam the branch, helping/hassling the patrons (it was all a bit like using a self-service till in a supermarket). Having overcome my initital fear that the hi-tech equipment would laugh in the face of my anachronistic cheques like something from 'The Hitchhiker's Guide', I'm pleased to say I was in and out within five minutes (at the height of lunch time) and without anyone trying to upsell me some pointless insurance or another. All well and good, though the pensioner next to me seemed to be faring rather worse...

This branch of HSBC is worth noting - mainly because of it's extended opening hours. If you work…read morenine to five, then you'll know how frustrating it is when you have to use up your entire lunch hour in order to deposit a single cheque. The queues are massive because nobody wants to give up their Saturday morning lie-in to get to the bank before it shuts at midday. All these woes are a thing of the past with this new Cabot Circus branch, as not only is it open weekday evenings, but also at weekends - even on Sundays! It's crazy to think that a bank would be willing to change it's policy to improve customer satisfaction, but that appears to be what they've done. Good on 'em.

(This is a view about branch service and by no means my commentary on large banks in…read moregeneral....that would be quite another review!) This has been my bank since I was 8! I have (somewhat surprisingly) never had a bad experience in this bank. I am totally clueless about most things financial and the staff in here have always been helpful, informative and in no way patronising. Its clean and warm with all machines (apart from a coin counter) you could wish for. They supply mineral water and sporadically they have supplied coffee too. I rarely find it too busy and I have the patience of a small child so that's a feat in itself. Today my one year old went exploring and the staff moved deftly around him, smiling and went about their business. Just what a busy mum needed.

This company has since been taken over by Britannaia, however they were a great branch, with…read morefriendly staff, who take the time to personally connect with their customers, even offering a drink if your particularly worn down. They are very knowledgable about interest rates, and are also very quick to answer any questions you might have in regards to opening an account with them.

I am a member of this credit union and cant praise it highly enough! If you live or work in…read moreLockleaze or Horfield you are free to join and can then use the services that it offers.I have savings accounts for myself and 3 children and have one of my wages paid straight into my account.If you join and then need a cash loan they will take your wages/benefits into account and are able to offer loans at a highly competitve rate.This is important as lots of doorstep lenders operate in our area and charge ridiculous amounts of interest.If you need help regarding debts i am sure that they offer a service for this also and can help you as a go between with creditors etc.If you then need to access your account you can go to various locations within the area on certain days and request a cheque which i then cash at the post office. This is a real help to people like me who can save and still use the money if needed [unforeseen bill etc!]Look into this place its a great service with friendly staff.

Gasp! 5 Stars for a bank?! Nope I shouldn't be locked up as some of you may be inclined to suggest,…read morethis Barclays has charm in spades. I've rarely had to wait very long (extremely rare for a Barclays), the interior is pleasant, there is a free filtered water dispenser and the staff are extremely polite and friendly. In fact, after my 21st birthday I was looking to put some savings away and whilst I don't want to get their staff into trouble, the advisor who served me suggested that the money could perform better elsewhere! Astonishing honesty, that really took me by surprise at a time of recession when everyone wants to blame 'the evil money grabbing bankers' for the worldwide financial crisis!

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?)

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.