It was that time of the year again…read more That period where all my funds had dried up. Any money I'd managed to gather and save had been sucked away on the triple threat of rent, bills and take away pizzas and I was left nigh-on penniless. The bar was paying me enough to eat every week, but that was if I didn't have bills to pay. With a great heaving sigh, I cracked open my money box and spent an hour counting those sad coppers to see what kind of life expectancy I had. £17. That was how much my life would have to cost to maintain until money came flooding at me. £17 in pennies and 2ps, bagged up in money bags and thrown in my satchel causing it to weight at least 40lbs. I shambled up to the Co-operative till and deposited my 17 baggies on the counter: "Can I change these into real monies, please? I'm so hungry," I managed to croak out through cracked, dry lips. "Of course sir," the teller said, her voice ringing with hope. "Can I see your debit card?" "Oh, I'm not actually with this bank. I just want it converted into something I can actually spend. Like that money you have not half a foot away from your wrist" I calmly explained. "Sorry. We don't offer that service. You must be a client of the bank. Company policy," she said, her lovely tones collapsing into a bitter rasp when she realised I was an outsider. Dejectedly, I left. I went to Halifax across the road and they happily did it despite me not being a customer of theirs. In conclusion, screw you Co-operative Bank. My satchel was really freaking heavy.

This is my bank! But not in the same way that Terry's Chocolate Orange's belong to Dawn French! I…read moreshare it with everyone else! Which is essentially what the Co-op is about! Way, way back in my dim and distant past I had my Uni placement with these guys in Manchester, which funnily enough, is where their Head Office is! I learned all about their membership scheme and the leading edge developments that they were responsible for where environmental and Fair Trade issues were concerned. These things are not surprising seeing as the basic premise for this business was to provide affordable products and services for the less well off in society, and to allow them to share in the profits! The Co-op are amazing. I have banked with them for years! Their bank rates are more more equitable than other banks, and they are lenient when we fall foul of our commitment to them, (making a late payment, or accidentally going overdrawn etc... A quick phone call to explain is usually enough to remedy an error!). Five stars is just not enough for these guys... so here's a few more...

I don't like banks, maybe because I never have any money. Still HSBC was my chosen student bank and…read morethis is my favorite branch. The staff just seem more laid back here and there's never much of a queue which allows me to spend as little time as I possibly can in it. It has fewer opening hours than the main branch on Queen Street, but thats never a problem. It makes my life a little bit easier, so stars for that!

Ah, thank God for this HSBC branch…read more Since the St. Mary's Street branch got converted into a Sainsbury's about a year or so ago, the main HSBC branch has been that godforsaken monstrosity in Queen Street. You know the one; it is run by machines and is going to be the base command for the first attack when SkyNET eventually takes over and Terminator becomes a reality just like James Cameron warned us. And I hate that branch with a passion that could consume suns. Thankfully, we have this branch just off of Churchill Way to salve the wound. Whilst the Queen Street branch tries to speed up the banking process with an array of machines, requiring customers to have a PhD just to be able to cash a cheque, this branch manages to be both efficient and populated by humans, instead of rampaging frustration-bots. Seeing as everyone seems to prefer the main branch, this one remains blissfully quiet, allowing you to complete your banking quickly and quietly, without surrounding you in the whirrs of machines and the slams of foreheads hitting ATM screens in frustration.

Another Halifax bank with only one cash machine, as a general rule banks are useful and annoying at…read morethe same time waiting in queues is slowly becoming less of an occurrence now they have drop boxes for cheque payments. Natwest fairs slightly better in my opinion as the actively get employees to ask people in the queue if they can help them so that the queue actually is usually reduce, that's great surely.

I'm really reviewing the city centre of Cardiff as it's full of plenty of attractions; events,…read moreshops, cafes, bars, clubs, restaurants, cinemas and a theatre place or two. It is a place regularly used by the locals for everyday use and for the visiting tourists. NatWest is a good bank though, they are very helpful. An open top bus which tells you all about the history of Cardiff in relation to the places it travels to. There are many other buses to take you to all the areas of Cardiff and to some places just beyond this city also. The city centre tends to be very busy with traffic and people. These are often where I go. I'm not a crazy shopper, nor do I always have the money to spend, so for those; very mad, addictive, shop a holicks this is the town centre to be! A fabulous to socialise, but not to unwind or relax, but to get what you need and to get become organised and the things you need done. It depends where you stay in relation to how you get there and I travel by bus in less a family member kindly gives me a lift, Richmond Road is where Kings Monkton school, just before Dumfries Place bus stop, all of which you will soon see the town centre staring you in the face with Sainsbury's looking straight at you and Queen street (the street it's on).

I know a bank is a bank but I really like the peple who work in this branch as they are so polite…read moreand helpful! This particular branch of Natwest is huge. It is situated on the corner of St Mary's street opposite Capitol shopping centre. Usually when I go to the bank I am left waiting for ages to cancel a direct debit or pay a bill but this bank offers a meet and greet service. As soon as I walked into this bank I was pounced upon (in a nice way) by members of staff eager to help. If they can avoid you queueing for a cashier they will. They have shown me how to use the rapid deposit box when I am paying in checks and set me up with an online account so I can manage my account from home. I love the fact these guys try and make my banking quicker and easier.

Tucked in a quiet street near a pub and a library. This is the friendliest branch I have had the…read morepleasure. The staff are competent, knowledgeable and always polite. They greet you as if they mean it and treat you with respect. They go that extra mile to help you. 10/10 with a golden star. Satisfied customer.

One of these new redeveloped banking outlets aimed at mostly a selfservice customer. You pay…read morecheques in through a machine, have termainals to access internet banking etc. There are usually staff around to help out if you get stuck, and they do have the usual consultancy area out the back if you need to talk to your friendly bank manager about anything.