I find that service in banks,building socs,POs and such in the UK has really gone backwards, due to attempts to economise by cutting staff, making life ever more difficult for over-worked counter staff and customers alike.

No doubt those at the top with their multi million pay offs will never know what it is to stand queuing endlessly or be so hard pressed behind a counter.

I believe those at the top are career "toppers", never worked at the basic level,

The other problem is training. Their training is out of date by the next day and the UK newspapers who operate financial "champions" are being inundated by complaints about bad advice from branch staff. Sometimes it even seems to me so completely wrong but nope, thats what they were trained to say. (its just like some of the conflicting information some posters throw at you on BE)

I told Halifax I wanted full access to my money and they even gave me a login to internet banking. Except the accounts they put the money into do not have internet dealing. So I have to go into town, take the money out and walk 200 yards across the road to LTSB. Who owns Halifax? LTSB ! But their computer systems do not talk to each other.

Must admit that on my recent trip back I did find myself doing a lot of waiting around due to lack of staff.