Best and worst banks

Twice a year, we ask bank account customers to rate how satisfied they are with their current-account provider. The table below reveals the best and worst banks for customer service. 

We also compare the best bank accounts if you stay in credit and the best bank accounts for authorised overdrafts. 

And with the way we carry out our banking business changing rapidly, banks are closing down branches at a frightening pace. 

So, we've mapped every single closure since 2015, and our branch closure finder helps you search for the branches near you that are closing down in 2018.

Best and worst banks rated

Customer satisfaction for banking
Provider	Customer service	Regularity and clarity of communications	Dealing with queries and complaints	Service in branch	Internet service	Product score	Customer Score
First Direct						87%	83%
Nationwide						68%	80%
M&S Bank						83%	71%
Metro Bank						62%	71%
More info Although this provider is rated highly by its customers, we have not awarded it WRP status because it does not meet every requirement. Metro Bank branches are not available nationally.
Co-operative Bank						63%	71%
More info Although this provider is rated highly by its customers, we have not awarded it WRP status because it does not meet every requirement. Co-op's current account achieved a below average score, at 63%. Average product score is currently 66%.
Danske Bank						68%	70%
More info Although this provider is rated highly by its customers, we have not awarded it WRP status because it does not meet every requirement. Danske Bank's Choice account doesn't make the Top 10 for credit interest and doesn't come with cashback/rewards or switching incentives.
Tesco Bank						67%	70%
TSB Bank						68%	69%
Virgin Money			n/a		n/a	57%	67%
Santander						57%	67%
Bank of Scotland						73%	66%
Yorkshire Bank						77%	65%
Halifax						70%	65%
Smile			n/a	n/a		72%	65%
Lloyds Bank						73%	64%
Barclays Bank						80%	63%
NatWest						82%	63%
Clydesdale Bank						77%	62%
HSBC						70%	60%
Ulster Bank						77%	59%
Royal Bank of Scotland						78%	57%
Average Customer Satisfaction Score	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	66%	68%
More info Table notes: n/a = sample size too small Average overall customer satisfaction score is 68% Sample sizes: First Direct (276), Nationwide (478), M&S Bank (83), Metro Bank (43), Co-op Bank (282), Danske Bank (45), Tesco Bank (85), TSB (323), Virgin Money (33), Santander (345), Bank of Scotland (224), Yorkshire Bank (137), Halifax (354), Smile (35), Lloyds Bank (364), Barclays (323), NatWest (363), Clydesdale Bank (87), HSBC (371), Ulster Bank (37), Royal Bank of Scotland (175). Total sample size: 5,554. Product score. We’ve also looked at the key elements of the main bank account from each provider and have introduced a scoring system as a way of comparing each account on an equal basis. The key elements included are - minimum monthly funding, monthly account fee, authorised overdraft buffers, unpaid item fee, cash ATM limit, emergency cash service, mobile phone app, text alerts and online banking security score (based on Which? research). Interest on credit balances, authorised overdraft charges and cashback (rewards and switching incentive) was included as part of the criteria for WRP eligibility.  For a provider to be eligible for WRP status, it must achieve an average or above score for its main bank account (currently 66%).

Our research

Customer scores are based on a survey of an online panel of respondents from the general public who were invited to take part in the bank account customer satisfaction survey during September 2017. The final sample size was 5,554.

Overall customer scores are worked out using a combination of overall satisfaction and how likely the respondents are to recommend their bank to a friend. Companies need at least 30 responses to be given a rating.

Which? Recommended Providers

Which? Recommended Providers are companies that are both rated highly by the respondents of our unique customer survey and have products that meet the high standards of our researchers.

• To feature as a Recommended Provider, a company must have achieved a top score (at least 70%) in our latest customer satisfaction survey.
• Providers main current account must achieve an above average product score (currently 66%).
• Providers main bank account must sit within the top 10 or top half for credit interest or authorised overdrafts and/or offers cashback/rewards/switching incentives. Two out of three categories must be met.
• Providers must be fully covered by the UK Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) and FCA Banking Standards regime.
• Which? Recommended Providers of bank accounts must offer a free debit card, free direct debits and free withdrawals from UK cash machines, and accounts must be available nationally.

Bank branch closures

Some people are happy banking purely online. But others may need to do at least some transactions face-to-face. So which banks have been shutting branches? 

In autumn 2016, Which? analysis found a total of 1,046 branches were shut between January 2015 and January 2017. More than 482 major bank branches were axed in 2017, bringing the total number of closures to 1,526 since the start of 2015.

A new wave of closures for 2018 have been announced, with RBS/NatWest and Ulster Bank closing 269 branches, Lloyds Banking Group closing 49, Barclays closing 43 and Yorkshire Building Society closing eight branches. 

That takes the total number of closures between 2015 and 2018 to 1,895.

The map below shows the number of closures in each local authority area per 100,000 people. You can use the search bar to find your local area, filter between banks or choose a year to see when branches closed or are due to close. 

It will be updated for 2018 soon, but in the mean time you can use the table below to search for branch closures in your area in 2018.

Branch closures in 2018 in my area

The table below lists all the banks that have shut, or are due to shut in 2018. You can search for your local constituency, region or or postcode to find closures near you.