Nationwide Basic FlexAccount

I also feel that nationwide's services are getting worse.

I went to Vienna for a conference with my visa debit cash card+ and could not withdraw money at ATMs. I could only pay in shops and restaurants.

On the website it says that this card could be used in ATMs. I phoned from Vienna to ask for this to be sorted out and after asking me questions for 5 minutes the guy online told me that this card can not be used on ATMs.

They should make the life of their customers easier.

Used to be excellent now sinking into the dreadful category.

The statement that they are customer focussed is a joke, over the last twelve months they have just eroded the standards, I have been with the Nationwide for 25 years but have had enough.

Their directors are overpaid their account holders their shareholders no longer matter.

Ok, where do i start - the FlexAccount is someway short of others out there in the market. No credit interest, no incentives for use, no more free usage abroad outside of Europe. IMO no point in banking with Nationwide.

Nationwide has gone down the pan in recent years. Write to them they don't respond, call them it takes you ages to get through and visit a branch at your own peril. If you're not a potential sale- they simply aren't interested!

I love nationwide :)

Theyre so lovely. ahhh.

They even give you one of the little card machines to use internet banking in their branches if you forget yours. Isnt that nice.

Bad points: I would like a biscuit when waiting please.

The Nationwide Flex Account was one of the easiest accounts I have opened, it was straight forward and the staff were helpful and talked me through the whole application, where I was given an instant decision in branch. I have never had a banking relationship with Nationwide before, but they have given to me in two weeks, more than my own bank has given to me in three years, ie full overdraft, credit card and even without having my salary paid into the account, the staff in branch are courteous and always willing to help, you can generally see someone with little delay, and there Flex Account offers the best value account I have seen so far.

I would only recommend using Nationwide if you start to open your account at least 3 months in advance before travelling, if the purpose of opening the account is for free cash withdrawls abroad.

I applied with a month to go and it looks like I won't be recieving my card in time, therefore useless to me as I will be away then!

Looks like ill be using travellers cheques.

For this reason I wouldn't recommend nationwide due to the time it takes to open an account, waiting times on the phone and some staff (as other staff dealt with in the Piccadilly branch were more than helpful).

I have transferred to a Nationwide Flex account and the transition was far from smooth. The main problem was that Nationwide wrote to my previous bank cancelling direct debits without ensuring that they had set them up themselves first (which in one case they had not). Speaking to customer services is frustrating as no-one seems to know the answer and calls are not returned. That said, the account is easy to operate online and there are distinct advantages when buying foreign goods or cash. Nationwide must up its game with regard to customer services however if it is to be regarded as a serious competitor to the main four.

I have nothing but praise for the way the Nationwide Basic FlexAccount treats you. If you have a problem, you ring them up and they really do sort it out.

They will charge you for any violations such as direct debits and bounced cheques.

They do pay you a fairly good interest rate on your credit balances.

I will not be changing accounts any time soon.