Anyone have a UK bank they like?

I'm fed up with my bank, HSBC. I initially chose them because they are an 'international' bank. They've not been all bad, but there have been a number of annoyances:

- calling me cold to try to convince me I should have another kind of account
- steep charges for international transfers (I use paypal now)
- obscure error messages when things don't go right on the web site banking
- call centers apparently in other countries with assistants whose accent makes it difficult for me to understand them
- call center assistants who are clearly following a flow chart and deal with me with absolute rigidity
- suspending use of my credit card when I travel overseas and make a charge without letting them know in advance that I'm traveling
- this was the clincher: a call center assistant suspended the security on my account because he apparently first made a mistake in entering the information, then decided to ask me an obscure security challenge question ('name a memorable place') that I had set over 5 years ago and had never been asked since (surprise: I didn't remember)
- closing down a branch in a lovely city centre building and opening one in a new place that feels more like a bookie shop and has multiple cheery youngsters steering me to where they think I need to go when I enter

Is it the same everywhere? Or do some places do things differently, perhaps a bit less annoyingly?

I've been with Barclays for like 12 years and I have never had any issues with them.

I had HSBC in the states and hated them.  They're a huge corporate bank and don't give a d*mn about individual customers of modest means.  In the UK I've got Lloyds, for no other reason than that my husband banks there, and they gave me an account with no hassle.  I haven't had any problems with them.  Their internet banking is pretty convenient, and they've never called me, though they do send me offers in the mail along with my statements.  I think if you get a silver account, it has some special setup for sending money internationally to other people, not necessarily to other accounts.  I don't know what their international wire transfer rates are, as I've never done one.  

I think if I had to set up an account at another UK bank, I'd choose Barclays.  They seem to be pretty good.  

I'm with Barclays also and have no complaints.  

I've been with Natwest for 8.5 years and have had no issues with them at all. Before that. I was with Lloyds TSB for 7 years, but that was from ages 11-18, so I didn't really use the account much or know much about how good their services were.

TSB tried to rip me off when I was 12... We have a US HSBC credit card and, like all other credit card companies right now, have switch us from fixed rate to variable rate. Good job we paid it off just in time...

I like Yorkshire Bank - straightforward to deal with. Been a member since I was 16 or so. Unfortunately regional.

Andy

Smile. Internet only, fabulous customer service, and leave me alone!!

DH uses Barclay's...no issues. They do call quarterly to do a survey with him to make sure all his direct debits & standing orders are up to date. Which is nice since they had caught some that were not current and removed them at that time.

I've been with Natwest for 8.5 years and have had no issues with them at all.

I have been with Natwest for 13 years and they have always been absolutely fine. Whenever I have had a problem they have been quick, efficient and courteous.

I like Nationwide, it's a small bank but great customer service through the phone and web

I've been with Natwest and have had no problems since i moved here in 2006. They call or send me a text when i'm traveling in Europe, to make sure it's me using the cards.

I'm with Santander annd I have had a couple of small problems but they were sorted out quickly and they even sent me a letter of apology. They're a lot better than RBS that's for sure. Never called their call centre though - I do everything online or go into a branch. But I don't get any sales calls from them like I used to with RBS or any of that bothersome stuff.

I have a Co-Operative Bank account and love them.

I also have a Natwest account and have not had any problems with them personally, but I don't love them as much as I love the Co-Op (but that mostly has to do with the companies themselves rather than the way they run their retail banking operations.)

Thanks to everyone for the helpful replies.

RH

We've had great experiences with Nationwide.