A rather large HSBC store on Park Row in the Financial Quarter of Leeds in the city centre, from…read morethe outside seeing this bank at first I just said "Wow", with this HSBC store really standing out in its' location due to being a huge building for a bank which generally doesn't have many branches like this. Opening hours are slightly better than average being open Monday through to Saturday between 9 and 6, albeit they open half an hour later on Tuesday (Strange as most banks open later on Wednesday's for training), and they close an hour earlier on a Saturday's, this is better than average for the area but still lacking compared to B (a brand by Yorkshire Bank) and Metro Bank stores, albeit none of them has branches in Leeds. Booking an appointment at this branch whether it's for a mortgage advisor or set up an account is pretty hard, they often require booking over two weeks in advance (compared to other banks, you can often walk in and get an account the same day, or at least within a day or two or digital banks such as Monzo which you can join from your home in under five minutes), and even then the times are limited and they only seem to let you decide between four times unless you wait another week again. - Considering this bank has longer than average opening hours to have such limited choice in appointments with the latest time always being two hours before they close, is a pretty poor show. A decent large branch of HSBC with good facilities, staff could be a little friendlier (average staff), and the appointment process needs dealing with better. 3*

This is a review of the of Park Row branch in Leeds City Centre…read more I opened a business account with HSBC last year and received okay service. Unfortunately my account manager entered my details wrong which lead to the entire account needing re-addressing and a lot of inconvenience for me, though after this was resolved service has been okay. Upon entering the building you're greeted by a member of staff, which at first seems welcoming but as a regular visitor can grind a little! The self-service machines for paying cheques in is pretty good, usually takes the heat off counter staff. Their business side is generally welcoming with staff greeting everytime and tea/coffee on offer whenever you meet with your account manager. The best thing about business banking compared with other banks is that the account is free for 3 years, and there is only a small fee for cashing cheques (which only occurs after you've reached your 20-something limit per month). Overall a decent bank offering friendly service.

One of two locations Natwest have in Leeds city centre, on Park Row in the Financial Quarter, this…read morebranch in many ways is better (and worse) than the other branch, for example, this bank is larger and offers cash services as well as business banking and personal banking services over two floors accessed by lift as well as opening hours being slightly improved, on the other hand, it is new, despite being pretty modern inside it still lacks compared to the other branch, and it also has much less comfortable seating (only two seats), no charging sockets or free beverages too. Interestingly, this branch supplements that one and makes the Victoria Leeds Natwest branch better, as this one here on Park Row offers services which the other cashless branch does not. Away from the comparisons - this is pretty much an average bank in many regards, in Leeds' Financial Quarter, sadly there was no staff on the door greeting and the layout did take a few seconds to gather and understand, due to the size of the store. A lack of staff for such a large bank is also a horror-show, I've seen more staff in a much smaller space too. There was a good amount of cash machines for basic banking activities however I didn't like how there was a table to "lean" on in front of them all, for me it just was a little ugly and got in the way. As mentioned, opening hours again are pretty generic being on average 9-5 Monday to Saturday, albeit on Wednesday they open an hour later, and on Saturday they close an hour earlier. This branch could have potentially earned a four-star rating if they did have more staff around the store to offer greetings and assistance, which I'm used to in most cases from banks especially Natwest, and perhaps if the horrible ringing noise around the cash machine wouldn't have been constantly going off. 3*

This Natwest is the Goliath, the Big Daddy, the High Priestess of Natwests in Leeds. It is the…read morelargest Natwest and stands in pride of place in the banking district in Leeds near the Slug and Lettuce, HSBC and just around the corner from Tesco Metro. I rarely need to visit here now, since moving nearer Headingley, but every so often there is the odd transaction that must take place and I will be in town to do so. The plusses - there are more tellers here than the other Natwests which means service is faster, they have a helpdesk at the centre of the building which is actually helpful if you need advice, they have plenty of quick deposit and cash machines inside if you can't/don't need to wait to see a human being. The minuses - with so many more tellers you will find the odd occasion when they are busier as everyone will come here and my favourite - they still close at 1.30pm on Saturdays, which is totally and utterly useless. If you work normal 9-5 days, like most of society, what might be handy is a bank that you can visit outside of your half hour lunch break or Saturday hangover. Useless, unhelpful, annoying .... (enter bad word here). Nothing much more exciting to report. It's big. It's a bank. That sort of thing.

I wonder why the phone number is printed when it seems to ring in an empty room. I rang up to…read morepostpone a meeting because I am too polite to not just turn up. And then I rang ...

I know what you're thinking. You know what Barclays is like, you have been a multitude of times,…read moreand reading this will be ultimately nugatory. But halt, I have regional differences to report. My Dad stayed at a hotel a few years ago and when questioned on its calibre, he replied "It was quite good really, great breakfast. CRACKING atrium!" Such was his passion and fervour, that it elevated my personal appreciation for the glass structure. I remain alert to any sightings, and send pictorial evidence to my father immediately. The new branch of Barclays has a superb atrium, and reminds me slightly of a spaceship. A tip though, don't ask to withdraw space doubloons. You will be very politely, but also hastily ushered out of the door. The staff I have encountered over the years at this branch, have been extremely helpful and approachable. Whether it was to discuss savings, open an ISA or merely investigate my lack of fiscal input, I have always felt like a valued customer.

Well this is the fanciest and most high-tech looking bank I have ever seen. This branch recently…read moremoved from a few doors up the street into this new bigger and shinier version of Barclays. Inside it feels really spacious and there is someone to greet you at the door and point you in the right direction according to what you need. Last time I went in to set up a standing order the initial member of staff put my name into an electronic thing that presumably connects to the upstairs staffs same electronic gadget thingys to establish some kind of que. Unfortunately this 'system' broke so we had to do it the old fashioned way and remember who had arrived before us as we sat on the semi-circle of sofas. There is definitely a nicer atmosphere in this branch than the older one.

The Co-operative Bank is located on Commercial Street in Leeds city centre, a stone's throw away…read morefrom most of the city centre's shopping/dining areas, at the other side of the Trinity than the "Financial Quarter", this bank from the outside looks pretty nice - but as you go into the branch it just seems more basic and old-fashioned which was an unfortunate surprise. There is only one cash machine here - which is outside the store with none inside the branch, it's a bank with cash facilities so this really was a let-down. The staff here seemed friendly but really slow, it took around ten minutes for a staff member to run off and scan my ID into the system to set up my new savings account but WHY? It would have been quicker to set up a whole account with Monzo, or at least provide ID in any other bank including Lloyds Bank and Virgin Money, the latter I also visited the same day and was in and out within 60 seconds - there's no excuse for long waits other than poor staff training/incompetence or lack of technology. They also don't appear to offer receipts on money transfers, which every other bank tends to do - which is another factor which is lacking, especially considering they only have one ATM outside the branch, nothing inside or for more complex banking activities and paying in money. Poor, restrictive opening hours perhaps similar to a bank in a small town, not a large city like Leeds just tops it off for me and makes me want to leave Co-Op Bank before my paperwork and card has even arrived. 1*

A bank with an ethical stance and, in the main, happy looking staff. To be honest it's hard to get…read moreexcited over reviews for banks but they are a necessary evil and this is definitely one of the better ones.

Barclays on the Headrow right in the centre of Leeds is the main branch of about four in the city…read moreand my favourite bank. It is only 5 minutes from the bus station and it curves around onto Vicar lane where on the exterior of the building there are two cash points which do not charge you to make a withdrawal no matter what bank you are with. The interior is large with about 8 tellers and is usually busy but the line goes down quick. There is a quick deposit machine and a computer where you can print of balances and statements too. The staff are lovely and that's why I have personally banked here for over 15 years. There is a lift for access from the Headrow too.