"What's your bank ever done for you?" Well, there were the aqueducts... wrong script…read more.. Having a Private banking account with Natwest has offered lots of benefits over the years. Lately it seemed costs were rising & benefits getting trimmed. I was beginning to question whether this was value for money. With the opening of the private lounge at the well-placed grand central branch, the benefits look much more attractive. It's truly a lovely space in which customers can have a coffee, do some business before they catch a train, or even stay for a couple of hours and do their work. It also has a small meeting room that seats around six people which you can book out. Well done NatWest! You had me at the espresso machine, but those tasty treats as well...

We went to speak to Robert May last week about the (slim, let's face it...) possibility of getting…read morea mortgage, having had his services recommended to us by numerous people. When we arrived, we were impressed by the amount of Thank You cards that filled the front window ledge. Clearly, this guy has helped a lot of people out... His advice is free; he receives commission from whichever mortgage lender he brokers a deal with on your behalf, so we were able to chat to him freely for about 30 mins, without paying a penny and without feeling rushed. The news wasn't great as far as us and a mortgage was concerned, but we appreciated his honesty and his clearly knowledgable grip on the market and, having come up with a plan of action, will definitely return when we're in a better position.

Robert gave me some financial advice regarding a mortgage 9 years ago following my divorce. He was…read morepolite, helpful and very knowledgeable. His advice was spot on as he recommended a variable rate mortgage (when the world and his wife were taking out fixed rate) prior to the recession occurring. Consequently, I am now paying a very low interest rate, which has been fantastic! Thanks, Robert!

Really good service and friendly staff. Willing to help and show you how to use whatever you like…read moreon machines. I wanted to deposit a cheque and normally I would queue and let the barclays staff member do it for me. The lady then left her place and showed me how to do it on my own so next time I don't have to get in line or if I'm in hurry. And there's always a queue there. Love the new look of bank. It's modern and clean. Staff are low but they are very good and polite. Been using this local bank for years.

Perhaps it isn't as modern as many of the other branches on New Street (and trust me it's a lot)…read morebut this HSBC store, located right before the crossing where you can turn left for the Grand Central, or carry on across the road for the Apple Store heading towards Colmore Row, it still is a pretty decent branch consisting of probably the most banking machines (paying in/withdrawing money) I've seen in a bank. The store is pretty large and it does offer a good deal of basic facilities, while the emphasis on digital banking is low - but considering the amount of newer and more digital banks nearby that's ok. The opening hours of 9 am to 6 pm every-day, other than Tuesday's where they open half an hour later for training and Sunday's where obviously they don't open are also amongst the best in the area. The staff seemed friendly enough. While this HSBC store doesn't really do anything that makes me scream "Wow" and it isn't overly impressive, it merely does the job with a decent range of basic facilities in a good, central Birmingham location. 3*

Nice HSBC branch. Thepeople working there are always friendly even though they deal with a lot of…read morecustomers daily. There always seems to be a que when i go there but that's understandable.

Been with BHSF for over ten years and never had a problem. They are better than other cash plans…read more(like Bupa) and help out a lot. I have an individual policy and a medical condition. I could not claim for the medical condition for two years but after that if I did need to stay in hospital or have day surgery I could always claim. Would recommend to anyone

BHSF not-for-profit health insurer which was formed in the 19th century…read more It mostly offers health insurance for things that don't come free or easily via the NHS - for example dental treatment - but they also support alternative therapies and can help pay towards things like glasses and health consultations. They work closely with some large organisations in the area - including the City Council and Cadbury's but they do also offer personal policies and have in recent years branched out into pet and travel insurance. I've used them for a while and always found them incredibly pleasant to deal with.