I was super impressed by this branch of Barclays. I needed to see a personal adviser as my scrawly…read moresignature didn't match the neat tidy signature I had when I first moved to the UK 9 years ago. I didn't have long to wait, the adviser was really helpful. She helpfully made the changes I needed, advised me to get rid of the Additions account somebody had nudged me into in a weak moment a few years ago, so I wasn't paying an unnecessary amount to Barclays for no reason each month. I know!! BANKERS ETHICS SHOCKER!! I hope the poor girl isn't tracked down and sacrificed to the gods of greed. I was in and out of there in no time and left with a smile of my face, a rarity in encounters with bankers!

I'm not well up on the ethics of the big banks but in terms of straightforward fees etc and…read morecustomer service, I've always found Barclays to be head and shoulders above the rest. This branch is a good example of a decent Barclays branch. There is usually a nice girl who at the customer service counter who greets you and tries to solve your problems. Sometimes this is merely pointing you in the direction of counter services up the stairs, to the nearby cash point or deposit drop or to the newly added and amazingly helpful self service station where you can print out your statements, amend or cancel standing orders and transfer money. There's also one of those phone points where you can call up customers services for your Barclaycard or get an insurance quote from Barclays. And of course there are half a dozen personal banker desks to help you with more complex queries. Judging by the signs outside at the moment though, they are soon to move to a new 'flagship' store elsewhere in Broadmead.

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.

First class advice and service. No axes to grind as it's fee based. Well qualified staff.read more

As I have worked here for a few years in the past, I thought I would review as an employee…read more The Nationwide Building Society is a great place to work. I worked there a few years back and found that nearly everything is centred around the needs of the individual and not necessarily the business needs. However, all the work gets done and everyone seems happy with this and they are very successful managing, unlike some, to keep hold of all the money invested with no help from the government. The motivation for this good will to employees could stem from one or two places - it's mutual status allows it to do this without answering to shareholders and it needs to be good to retain staff Whatever the reason try working there to find out more.

Did you know that here, at their Head Office, they have a walk in customer service centre? You can…read moredo all the transactions that you might usually go to the Regent St branch but without the parking problems. They have designated customer parking places just outside. Also have cash machines for withdrawals and paying in. Another bonus is that it's nowhere near as crowded as the town branch.

I have been very impressed with the team at Dolmans. I live in Australia, but urgently needed help…read morefrom a UK accountancy firm. My parents live in Chipping Sodbury so that was the first place I searched. On calling was immediately transferred to the director, Phillip Dolman, who was extremely helpful, and rapidly came up with an innovative solution to what was a fairly unique problem in the international tax & pension space. I would have no hesitation in recommending Dolmans as a responsive, helpful and professional team.

There are 4 cashier tills, a number of ATM machines, a few personal bankers, offices, paying in…read morepoints and I find that the queues are not that bad as they go down fast. The staff are really friendly and welcoming, and the branch is lovely and clean.

This branch of Barclays is in the West Swindon district of Swindon. It is only about 5 minutes walk…read moreaway from the big Asda shopping centre, but it is in a side road and unless you know it is there, you would not be likely to stumble across it. They have two cashpoint machines outside, but be warned, there are rumours that these have been targeted by scammers in the past who clone your card. The staff there are helpful and friendly, but there are often long queues.

This is a slightly smaller NatWest branch on Gloucester road, up towards the rising sun and Books…read morefor Amnesty. There are a few till points, which can get busy, if there's a rush, but generally you will get served pretty much instantly, and the sales advisers are helpful and friendly as you would expect. The interior of the bank isn't the most spectacular, it's pretty grey, grey and grey all round. There are two or three free use cash points outside, which is useful to know, as a lot of places on Gloucester Rd, Stokes Croft area can charge nearly £2 to take out money!

Covered in the bright blues and yellows synonymous for me only with Ikea and Sweden this place is…read morethe cheques and cash central point in Kingswood. If it's a money associated affair then these guys can lend a hand, with an obvious cut their way of course. They can cash cheques and buy your jewellery; they can broke pretty much whatever they like really. It's not often you see shops like this in well-off parts of town so for me it leaves a bad taste - they're providing a service but clearly taking a wedge. If, however, you need these services then I am sure they can happily oblige.