After opening a Halifax Current account over the phone, I took my driving licence and BT telephone bill to Stratford East London Line to verify my identity. After waiting 30 minutes in the custmer service line, the ignorant woman rudely said that they don't accept BT bills, despite being told it was accepted as a means of verifying address, over the phone.

Days later, the same BT bill was accepted in the Halifax Hammersmith branch.

From day one of opening my guarenteed reserve savings account with the Halifax, I have had nothing but grief. Having come from a banking back ground, I have a sound understanding of the banking world, however, I found that their ways of doing things very restrictive. For example I was not allowed to renew my account and then have the interest paid away to another bank account. I was told I would have to open a current account with them, or I would have to have a cheque sent to my address - losing interest while cheque is in clearing. I found the staff in my local Halifax to be very pushy and they did not want to open the account I wanted. Instead, they were giving very bad advice. I wanted to open a fixed term account for 6 months with the thought of interest rates rising, which of course they did, several times! I was told at the time that they would not rise and to open a fixed term account for 2 years. I have to go along every six months to renew my account and it is a battle every time. I think they should have another read of the banking code! Staff in banks are not allowed to advise customers of such things. They have to have the relevant qualifications first. They are only allowed to provide information about their product.

I am only with the Halifax as they are currently paying the best rate, for my purposes. But I would not recommend them in terms of customer service etc.