There's always a queue at this place…read more TEG compete against the major banks and Post Office rates. Definitely worth using if you don't have the time to shop around and check the competition. They also give a further rate discount if you wish to purchase HUGE amounts of currency (ask at the desk - you will need to have ID). The staff were very patient and helpful. They even advised whether my bank would charge me for the transaction using my debit card.

Your search ends. Here is where you should exchange your mula when in London town…read more I was in desperate need for some British pounds after stupidly withdrawing a bunch of euros (this is what happens when your head is still in the clouds after a ridiculously long and delayed flight, thank you United). After doing some quick research on the best places to exchange cash, I came across a few forums that mentioned Thomas Exchange. Luckily there was a branch a brisk 15 minute walk from where I was staying. I went there around mid-morning on a Tuesday and had no trouble finding it in a covered arcade. There were a few people in line, but it moved very quickly. The tellers were very quick in handling each person's request. I've seen banks in other countries where they would spend a good 30 minutes with each person, counting and recounting the cash, putting it through a counting machine, and then manually counting again. Thank goodness they didn't do this here or else I'd be waiting for half a day. Best of all the exchange rate was great, only off the market value by a few pennies. I'm writing this Yelp review to point others in the direction of Thomas Exchange, but also so that I can remember to come here next time I'm in London!

Clean, easy, efficient. This Barclay's branch is right next to Spitalfields and that gives it a…read morebonus star for me. And an outside cashpoint that works. Who knew such a thing was possible? Sadly, not open on Saturday.

This is one of the best Barclays branches i have come across so far in London…read more Because the queue is never very long and the staff are super nice and smiley which always helps to brighten up ones day. Service with a smile that's what I like.

I came into this branch with a seemingly simple question…read more I asked to see a member of staff to talk through my query. 3 members of staff who seemed fairly junior (at least by the demeanour and attitude) milled around by the entrance desk. None of them seemed to know what to do. Therefore, they asked me to take a seat and wait. After sitting there like an idiot for well over 15 min one of the staff members came over to me and said "I've asked my colleagues and I'm afraid there is nobody here that knows how to deal with your query". Brilliant. I would suggest to HSBC that they spend more on hiring worthwhile staff and less on their silly grey and red suits. Give your customers some meaningful service rather than a bunch of dressed up goons.

A bank is supposed to offer accounts for people to put their money in. This bank is so busy selling…read morepeople's money in credits that they do not wish to open bank accounts. They ask for silly things for them. So they European Union doesn't serve for anything as they don't recognize passports outside the UK. Banks were supposed to help out customers not make one-sided decisions who only benefit them. Without people's money, banks are nothing.

Great currency exchange rate. Took me a min to find the place but worth it. They didn't rip me off…read morelike other places try too.

From the owner: ACE-FX will buy and sell cheaper than any other bureau de change in London…read more.. ACE-FX will guarantee to give you the best exchange rates, whether you are looking to buy currency or sell currency, we will provide the best currency rates published nationally by any other supplier on any given day. These include the UK's leading High Street Banks, Airport and High Street Bureau de Changes, Marks and Spencer, The Post Office, Sainsbury's and even speciality banknote suppliers like Travelex and Thomas Cook. Our dedicated team makes sure we provide the latest exchange rates on all currencies. This keeps us one step ahead and allows you to receive the best possible exchange rates at any time! Meaning we are a cut above the rest in leading Bureau de Change organisations.

This is the local branch of my bank, Lloyds…read more Lloyds Banking Group plc is a major British financial institution formed through the acquisition of HBOS by Lloyds TSB in 2009. The Group's history began in 1765 with the founding of Lloyds Bank, which is the fourth oldest bank in the United Kingdom. The Group's headquarters is located at 25 Gresham Street in the City of London and its registered office is on The Mound in Edinburgh. Lloyds Banking Group's activities are organised into Retail Banking (including Mortgages and Sole Traders), Commercial, Life, Pensions & Insurance, and Wealth & International. Lloyds' has extensive overseas operations in the US, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. On 13 October 2008, PM Gordon Brown announced a government plan for the Treasury to invest £37bn of new capital into major UK banks--including Royal Bank of Scotland Group, Lloyds TSB and HBOS--to avert a collapse of the financial sector.Barclays avoided taking a capital investment from the UK Government Today, the Government stake is below 19% and in May, the company paid its first dividend for 7 years In 2015, Lloyds is celebrating its 250th Anniversary.

I have been there a few times already and the staff has always been really helpful and friendly…read more They even come to talk to you if there is a little line (no more than 4-5 people) to try to help if they can. And although it is in a busy area and I always go to lunch time, I never have to queue for more than 10 minutes. Half of the times I did not have to wait at all. I must say I am really happy with my Lloyds services after having such awful experiences with my previous bank.

Staff are friendly and usually available to greet you on entering. Lots of internal ATMs for quick…read morepay-in and withdrawals. There's an area for Internet/telephone banking which I used. The telephone banking service took ages to connect and most of my time (20 mins) was spent on hold. I didn't feel comfortable about giving personal details over the phone in an open public place, being nearby the cashier queues, as well as the next Internet/telephone point being arms-length away. It took so long I gave up in the end, so ended up a wasted trip on that occasion. They also have pop music playing in the background so I was listening to Luther Vandross whilst taking out some cash.

This branch is a little hard to find, despite being located just off Nottingham's Market Square…read more The old building that houses it is rather unaccommodating on the inside - a bit gloomy, besides constantly busy. Pretty much everything here has to be done through a cashier and this means queueing up for all eternity. There are two ATM's on the exterior, and these always run out of cash by sunday (because of the student weekend I suppose). Several machines crammed into the lobby, where you can do old-style deposits with envelopes. I can't say I've been to this one a lot despite it being central, I suppose I avoid it subconsciously.

In short: This has got to be the WORST bank branch I have ever experienced (including some pretty…read moreinefficient ones all over Europe, mind you). The details: It all started off innocently: I applied for a passport account through their website. 2 weeks, no reply. So I called and was informed there is nothing they could do, I needed to wait for a letter (which never arrived). In the meantime, I moved to London. I go to the branch, ready with UK council tax bill, a German utility bill and my passport. The clerk makes copies of the utility bill and my passport, has me sign all kinds of forms and all seems well. Online banking details and my debit card would be sent to me soon. Surely all must be well now. I duly transfer funds into my UK account. 5 days later, the money is returned. The account number the clerk wrote down for me was wrong. I call HSBC, get the correct number, transfer funds. Surely all must be well now. 2 weeks, no card. So I call to find nothing has been ordered. And my account is set up with my German address. Could I come to the branch please? Now that takes three trials. Queues are long and I start to have serious doubts when at trial no.2 the advisor cannot find my account in the system. After trying for 15 minutes, she asks whether I would mind queuing for another colleague who "might be better with the system". Finally, I make it to a clerk, sorry, "advisor", who manages to find me (yay!). And advises that my account is set up incorrectly, no card has been ordered and no they do not have my UK address. He needs to fix it. Fourty minutes later, I hurry to work. I am late, of course. But the card should arrive soon, they will call when it does. But surely all must be well now. Unfortunately, since I don't have a card, I need to queue at the cashier's to get my money. Since I go shopping on Saturday, that is when I enter HSBC Canary Wharf. Waiting time? 95 minutes. No, you must not leave the branch while you wait. On Monday I call the branch. Yes the card is here. Noone called? Oh well. I go there to pick it up. Two days later, the PIN arrives at my UK address. Bliss. Surely all must be well now. Two weeks later I receive a letter, forwarded from my overseas adress, dated 1.5 months prior (i.e. before I even came to the UK). They need proof of address. Ah, I think, this must be the initial letter which never arrived. Please consider null and void if provided in the meantime. I have provided everything so I consider null and void. A week later I sit in a restaurant. My card doesn't work. I go to the ATM, my card is withheld. I go to the branch. I wait. The very same guy who opened my account is there. First takes forever looking into my account, "I don't understand, everything is fine". At long last, it emerges the utility bill I provided was not acceptable as, alas, bills issued outside of the UK tend not be in English. So the back office is closing my account. "I would have been informed about this repeatedly" PARDON? So what do they need? Proof of my German address, at which I don't live anymore, in English. Now that may be a bit difficult... After I point this out, it emerges they just might accept proof of my current UK address. Right. Since I do not have a card now, I go to the cashier to withdraw money. The cashier gives me a strange look then disappears for 10 minutes. He returns to inform me a cheque has already been issued for the money on my account and I cannot make any withdrawals. I need to talk to an adviser. I say I have just spoken to an advisor, he did not mention the fact my funds were frozen. I ask for the manager. I inform her I have at this point been in this branch for 1,5 hours talking to advisors who do not coordinate between themselves. I have promptly provided every documentation requested. I have sufficient funds on my account and am left on December 23 in the afternnoon without access to my money. She could not care less. Unphased, she sits me down - with a third clerk. "The lady would like to close her account." Excuse me? I don't really, this is where I started off 1,5 hours ago! She says I can't get my money if I don't close my account. I said thank you and walk out of the branch. Run home, get my UK utility bill. Get that to the very first advisor, who initially openend my account. Here is proof of my UK address. Will this suffice? Yes. Can I get a new debit card? Yes, please sign here. When can I get access to my funds? Tomorrow morning. I have been away from my desk for 3.5 hrs. But surely all must be well now. Christmas passes ,I go to the cashier with my passport, pick up money. 5 working days later I call HSBC. When could I pick up my debit card? None has been ordered. "Ms X, you have been informed repeatedly that we need photo ID from you". PARDON? Of course you have my photo ID! I have banked with you for two months now how can you not have a record of my photo ID? "Well