Metro Bank on Piccadilly is a fairly unique and new bank - walking in you'd think it is some sort…read moreof high-end offices or a casino with no cash machine in direct sight. It is located on Piccadilly opposite Green Park station fairly close to other banks - HSBC and Santander. This is mainly somewhere you'd only visit if you are a Metro Bank customer, compared to calling into the closest bank just to use the ATM. The opening hours are common for Metro, much better than most other banks in the UK between 8 am and 8 pm, closing two hours earlier on Saturday and then OPENING ON Sunday's between 11 and 5, basically as long as the shops are generally open, Metro Banks like this one are - a general rule of thumb with the bank expanding across the UK. I came in here to enquire about joining an account - the whole concept excites me especially with Metro expanding closer back to Manchester where I live at the end of the year - I was told how easy it was, the staff member I spoke to seemed really friendly and helpful and open to answering any questions. The slightly confusing layout at first and not having a great number of cash machines let the branch down - if it wasn't for the opening hours and great staff it'd be a disaster but still it is average in most factors, above average in the positives mentioned to warrant a high three-star rating.

I'm a regular user of MoneySavingExpert's travel money comparison tool, and have found that the…read moreThomas Exchange chain of money changers is consistently ranked among the top two money changers in London regardless of the currency you require. The only thing was that Thomas Exchange tended to have its branches located near main rail stations, which meant that, until this year, it didn't have a branch open in Canary Wharf, which didn't work so well for those of us who tend to work long hours out here in the Docklands. Thankfully, Thomas Exchange spotted a gap in the market, and opened up a branch here in May. Its location at the "other" side of Canary Wharf tube station may not be too convenient (i.e. the side that doesn't lead to all the shopping places) but it's not too hard to get to as long as you're walking overground. Just one last thing: remember to book your exchange online so that you get the best rate possible.

Please use an honest business like this one! Whatever you do stay away from…read more CHANGEGROUP establishment, which is located on 51 Whitehall in London. The jerk Muhhamed which probably smells his crusty farts behind the glass booth added a 15% commission without consent and gave me a folded receipt. He acted like he was really helping us out and I dropped my guard...Im sure karma will get the best of him. Horrible first experience on dealing with a currency exchange company. When I pointed it out he said no refunds and pointed to a tiny sign at the corner of the counter that said there was a 15% commission but while I was in line I overheard him telling customers that they were not charging commission. I even found a receipt on the counter to point it out to him. The exchange rate was horrible too but I needed money. I emailed the company but no response. I figured there a heartless corporation takin advantage of first time travelers and elderly people.

Please use an honest business like this one! Whatever you do stay away from…read more CHANGEGROUP establishment, which is located on 51 Whitehall in London. The jerk Muhhamed which probably smells his crusty farts behind the glass booth added a 15% commission without consent and gave me a folded receipt. He acted like he was really helping us out and I dropped my guard...Im sure karma will get the best of him. Horrible first experience on dealing with a currency exchange company. When I pointed it out he said no refunds and pointed to a tiny sign at the corner of the counter that said there was a 15% commission but while I was in line I overheard him telling customers that they were not charging commission. I even found a receipt on the counter to point it out to him. The exchange rate was horrible too but I needed money. I emailed the company but no response. I figured there a heartless corporation takin advantage of first time travelers and elderly people.

I reserved online and went straight down after work to collect my currency, there rate was one of…read morethe best I could find and the chap behind the desk was cool, will use again

I highly recommend this place to change money! I changed GBP to USD, they only charged a 2.5%…read morecommission with no fixed fees. No hassle and easy. Compared to a place I checked on the main street which wanted 20% commission and was a total ripoff. Come here instead!

I am normally really, really rubbish at remembering to order money before I go on holiday or go…read moreabroad. I normally end up having to put up with the terrible rates at the airport, or just wait until I find a cash machine at my destination, and then get ready to pay the extra bank charges. Oops. But this time, for the first time ever I remembered to research the best rates online, order some money, and then go and pick it up. With one day to spare as well...(this must be what it's like to be a responsible adult...ish) Thomas Exchange had one of the best rates in London for Euros, and although they had a long queue, it was still worth the wait. Book your money online first to get the best rates (they give you slightly less money if you just turn up without ordering it in advance...)

Always competitive rates when currency is ordered online for collection. Clean and new bank notes…read moredelivered. Very good customer service when sorting out a post transaction issue. I recommend.

The rates are really good (between 1 and 2% commission for EUR to GBP at least)…read more There was no waiting at all even during a workday. Great place!

I was wondering if I could get a good exchange rate in Fulham, and finally I found it. it was a…read morereal bargain. They were true that 0% commission and they beat most of the money exchange in London and surrounding area. After a through research on currency exchange, I'm completely satisfied with them.

* No ATM? Are you serious? *…read more Breezing through the airport, and skipping the ATMs was no issue since I saw there was an HSBC right near my hotel. That is no issue until I arrived and saw a little piece of paper on the window saying, "This location has no bank machine." Are you serious? World's local bank my butt!

They have an ATM outside, and another inside. Not sure what dope you were smoking Marc, but please…read morePM the number.

I've just recently moved to London from the US and was having a hell of a time getting settled in,…read moremost of which was caused by not being able to procure a UK bank account. It's a bit of a roundabout issue here where you can't get decent housing without a bank account and you can't get a bank account without decent housing. I had no idea that the credit check done on you is actually done on your place of residence and the credit attached there, not necessarily all just you. Very frustrating. At my wits end, and after going to several banks in and around Soho (and getting very rude and exasperated responses to my questions - as if I was doing something wrong by moving to London and not knowing my way around the financial system), I came across this HSBC in Chinatown. Bruce is my HERO. Not only was he completely accommodating to my mistake of thinking an appointment was way earlier than it actually was, he was very reassuring, informative, patient, kind, and most of all, funny. Thank you so much Bruce for easing my final transition into London life and helping me feel like a productive adult once again. You were the only one out of several bank employees in Soho that didn't treat me like an idiot and instead like a friend. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this, and most of all, appreciate you alleviating all the stress from this last stage. Thank you, thank you, thank you.