Been with HSBC for years now and have to say that I couldn't be happier with them - mainly because I am on the Premier programme.
I did two things to get the privileged "Premier Customer" status. 1) I kept my account in Camden even though Canary Wharf is my closest branch. There are more millionaires working in CW than anywhere else in the country and I would be just another of the great unwashed if I moved my account to there. Because most of the customers in Camden are students, they treat me like a big fish. 2) I have my mortgage with them. You get Premier status if either your income or your mortgage is over a certain amount (before you ask, no I don't meet the income requirement). It's not a reason to switch your mortgage but they were offering a good deal anyway.
How good are they? As an example, we were in New York and needed $5,000 in brand new unmarked $100 dollar bills (long story, don't ask). I put a call into my branch manager's mobile and it was sorted in 2 hours.
I don't know the specifics but I'm sure most banks have similar programmes. The trick is working out how to get into them....
Well, I've been a premier customer of the last few banks I've been at and it really depends on who manages your relationship with the bank.
I put large chunks of cash through Natwest and did this for a year before I asked them for any credit. Not much either mind you, less than 10% of the volume of cash I'd put through the account and they said no. I couldn't believe it, I thought it would be a formality but my 'relationship manager' just said no. When I asked him to explain why I was paying a higher fee for no service he couldn't answer. I moved all my accounts (including offshore) from Natwest to Clydesdale. I had a great time with them, they couldn't do enough for me, until the lady looking after my account moved on and I got the biggest incompetent ar$e who can't even send out paperwork to us within the same week!
We are requesting to change managers and if that doesn't work, I'll stop paying premier fee's and go completely online. I've never had any issue's with my Egg card ....
When I got it, I think the income level was £80k and £150k for mortgage. Both may have gone up since then but they haven't ask me to switch back. I don't know whether it varies by region.
I know £80k is a pretty high threshold but the way that house prices have gone up over the last few years the mortgage threshold isn't really that high.
Just go into your nearest branch and see what they say.
And Tony is spot on - my "status" wouldn't be worth jack if my branch manager wasn't cool. My New York story only works because he chose to use the channels available to him to get the job done.
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