(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.

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.

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.

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.

This building society is based right in the heart of the village and there is parking within 100…read moreyards of the branch. There are a few steps up to the door, but if you need wheelchair access there is also a ramp - or if you just don't like steps. There are two cashier positions available, but if you don't want to wait there is a self serve machine where you can pay cheques and cash into your account - if you have the right type of account. There are comfortable seats to wait if you have an appointment or need to see somebody in private and a couple of interview rooms. There are sometimes queues and as there are only two counter staff, if these are complicated queries you can have to wait a while. I have never seen anyone coming out from the offices to try and reduce the queue.

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!

Medium sized bank with cash points outside and inside. Full service bank with staff to help with…read moreyour accounts as well as multiple teller windows. The staff are helpful and friendly. Accessable via bus and car, situated on a busy road.

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.