After more than one year being a Lloyd's client, I decided to close down my bank account due to the poor overall service this bank provides. These are just some of the reasons:
Opening an account in Lloyds is a painful-process:
First, there is no chance to open an account online as you need to bring documentation to the bank after completing the application online.
As most banks do, they request you proof of ID and proof address to complete your application. However, you must bring them to bank whilst other banks let you send them online. Additionally, when bringing those documents to the bank, you always feel they're trying to find any excuse to refuse them.
Personal experience example: They send you an email stating they can accept a letting agreement as a proof of address if the document has been issued by an agency. I brought this document as a proof of address to the bank and they told me they can't accept it since it was issued by a high street agency ("additional" information NOT specified in the email they send you). Obviously, I wasted my time bringing another document the day after.
In addition, when opening another bank account (second, third...), they request you again to bring a proof of ID and proof of address (when you are a client already). Considering that you can open a new account in other banks in less than 5 minutes (via online), this service in Lloyds is simply not good enough.
App. I've always experienced issues finding information through Lloyd's app (example: Download a bank statement - PDF). The information is not displayed/structured clearly. I have used other banking apps (Metro, Santander, Revolut...etc) and I strongly think they are much better.
Opening hours. Most of the branches are not open after 5-6 p.m For obvious reasons, this is an issue if you work during office hours. Other banks open until 8-9 during the week, so you don't need to wait till weekend or find a moment at work if you need to go the bank.
Considering all the reasons above, I can't find a single reason to open an account in Lloyds and I'd never recommend this bank, since there are multiple banks in the UK that provide a much better service.
Reviewed on: 4th September 2019
