written by 298McGrath on 17/01/2024
This is the worst bank I've ever dealt with. Their online banking only shows you your balances and transactions. You can't do anything without phoning them. The people on the phone are nice but clearly also frustrated with the systems "oh sorry, it won't allow me to do that" or "I don't know, I can't see that". Everything is paper and phone based, it's like banking in the 80's. They don't pay any interest and charge high fees for basic services like making a transfer. Their internal systems are a mess. They don't have logs of what's happened, you can't escalate a complaint, you will spend hours going in circles. I've closed all my accounts and given up, don't bother as you'll regret it!
written by McDonough199 on 07/04/2021
This has got to be the WORST bank in existence in my opinion. They recently "updated" their online banking system but it's just as bad as the old one. The functionality is simply not there and getting to do ANYTHING with this bank is so incredibly laboursome and complicated that it literally makes me want to scream in frustration. I will be closing my account at the end of May, I endured their atrocious services for 4 years merely because I couldn't bring myself to deal with their horrific processes but enough is enough: I can't even initiate a payment now, the system wouldn't allow me without stating the issue. Please listen to these reviews and stay away from this bank and look for another provider, trust me, you will be much better off and thanking all of us later.
written by Deshawn280 on 31/10/2020
Set up new business account two months ago but never been able to use. They don't do what they say and won't deal with your complaints. Complete waste of time and effort. Unless you just want to gift this bank all your business earnings and never see them again. Best avoided.
written by Dickeybi36 on 07/08/2020
Roughly the end of 2019 when they were meant to have UPGRADED their systems everything went downhill. Constantly being greeted with 'No Accounts' or 'No Statements' or similar, and unable to check statements, transfer money or find customer 'service' reps who cared. I finally closed my account and would not use them again if I ever required corporate banking. They couldn't even be bothered acknowledging requests (pre-covid btw). AVOID at all costs!
written by Smartsl352 on 28/11/2019
My experience (which costed me thousands of pounds): terrible services; deeply disrespectful; most dreadful customer service. Cater Allen does not fulfil any of the minimum customer expectations. As usual, Santander downgraded a customer-oriented UK business to the most disappointing banking organisation. My understanding is that they current aim is to discourage existing customers to keep banking with them, only because they've not been able to provide the same level of customer satisfaction since they took over. I've now moved all my assets to a well established British bank. When opening those new accounts, I did wonder: why did I ever bank with Santander/CA??
written by bonesman on 16/09/2019
This bank has been a joke! I have been with them over 8 years. Endless mistakes and incorrect balance, has given me a number of payments back from the bank. Don't ask for a balance as your card balance is the real one, not reflected in your main balance. More recently phoning the bank now takes over 40 mins with no apologies. My advice don't open an account with them, I would find a bank with a front door or better internet functions
written by Tania1986 on 05/07/2017
We are a small business that uses Cater Allen as our main bank account. Customers pay into this account, and we pay employees from it as well. The online banking system is extremely antiquated - payments take 24 hours (48 if you make a payment after 4pm), and it's impossible to add payees/change details without having to phone up. It is a very 'bare bones' system, with zero written guidance or explanation about any of its online services. Due to the lack of information online, I have phoned up on two different occasions to ask very simple questions. As I am not the Company Director (and therefore the account isn't in my name), they refuse to even answer a very broad enquiry about a term used on the online system. I would understand if I wanted to know about details specifically relating to the bank account, but today I made it clear at the start of the conversation that I wasn't expecting any information about the account itself. The lady I spoke to rudely went on to accuse me of committing fraud, and when I said, "Please could you just tell me what this term means?", responded very coldly. Looking back, I should have just not bothered to explain who I was and just asked the question. This whole exchange wasted valuable time for us this afternoon, and has resulted in the late payment of an employee - all because simple information isn't listed on the online banking system and we weren't able to meet the ridiculous 4pm payment deadline. It is totally unsuitable for small businesses, and I honestly can't believe we are spending money on this service.
written by courtneysu on 02/05/2017
Was recommended by my accountant but from the get-go everything has been terrible. Lots of forms for sign up. Then received about 7 pieces of mail with various passwords. A 2 layer password system is ridiculous (you enter a different 3 letters each time, not type the password which would be easier). And I locked myself out once because it is ridiculous trying to remember all these passwords and the only solution was to post me a new passcode which would take 3 days. Everything is just hard. Also when I make bank transfers it takes about 3 days to other banks. I currently have a payment pending that I started 5 days ago. Do not use these guys no matter what!!
written by bill1221 on 30/09/2016
No overdraft No loan No credit cards Slow online bank payments (2 days typical) Debit card with the drawback of a credit card (gets charged like one)
written by Kay879 on 23/05/2016
My big issue with their business account is it takes them 3 days minimum to move a payment to another account unless you pay a fee for each transaction. They claim its next day, but it's the day after you ask them to make a payment they act on it and then another day for it to move, it makes no sense (that's working days too). It's absolutely appalling service and I will be switching asap.
written by wbnotts on 16/02/2016
Cater Allen are unable to tell me if a payment that I should have received by now, has been received by their clearing bank- Royal Bank of Scotland. Effectively- they don't know where my money is- which is one of the main things I look for in a Bank Account! Not only do they not know where my money is- their suggested solution is to "wait a few days and see what happens". This is not a 21st century solution. I will be closing my account as soon as possible- they are not worth the hassle.
written by Bennett57 on 23/12/2015
I opened a trust acount with cater allen lifted a lot of money from the acount with the same id bank details and pac num they let me lift out thousands then I tried before Christmas with all the same id and now all of a sudden they say my signatures don't match due to this they have left me with no money to feed myself or my kid. trust fund with cater allen do NOT open one with them as there so unhelpfull disrespectful to customers with a lot of money in there bank
written by Audrinau462 on 15/10/2015
Cater allen closed my business account, and cancelled the VISA card with no notice. Apparently they had written to me (regular mail) but I didn't receive it. When I called them they were rude and unhelpful. To put the icing on the cake, they rejected the transfer of my account balance to a new business bank account, presumably with the aim to disrupt my business. Do not open an account with them if you value your business. Go to Metrobank instead who will treat you professionally and ethically. Cater allen is unethical, rude, discriminatory and unprofessional.
written by Darrellu60 on 03/05/2015
The bank used to be very good, but it seems a change in management over the last 2 years has just bought it downhill. dealt with them on many sides as a client and introducer. The mortgage influence seemed to bring the nail in the coffin as the team just didn't know what they were doing, please bring back the old people who offered great service. Telephone team are just standard, UK support but just not up to it. Have to say the team in Sheffield are useless, but this was always terrible.
written by AntonyDickson35 on 27/03/2015
Simply trying to change my address and can't talk to anyone as I don't know my 'client ID code' - when I try to bypass the IVR it says 'thanks for calling' and hangs up. Really poor service given the amount of money I hold in my Business Account.
written by 1949Sims on 26/03/2015
I tried to open a business bank account,after one month with them here are the conclusions :There is such a bad support,they don't have neither a branch, their team for processing documents it's extremly incompetent, just imagine that they were not able neither for check at the company house where it's address of the company. You don't have an estimation, you can't ask the persons that they are actually process your documents. If you want to open for such an insecure bank, Just run from them . This is my recomandation!!
written by Hernandez395 on 13/03/2015
1) They dont have online pdf statements!! 2) The staff answering the phone cannot perform even the most basic of things like checking what your registered address is. 3) Payments take ages to process (at least 3 days) 4) Staff very slow in actioning tasks e.g sending post and dealing with post. 5) Staff dont know what they are talking about. One advisor says one thing and another advisor says another tottaly different thing. 6) Rude staff on the phone. 7) Taking ages to answer the phone. Avoid at all costs. Switch at the earliest opportunity.
written by zero_888 on 03/03/2015
Very poor handling of international payments. Payments not sent on time or with severe delays, no reasons given. When receiving money it frequently gets returned to sender or takes a week to credit. Customer service teams seem to have no idea what is going on. Seems cheap on paper but the charges quickly add up not to mention the stress caused by dealing with them. After several years with them I'm at my wits end. As many people have mentioned in their reviews this bank seems to be in a terminal decline from a customer service perspective. Time to switch banks.
written by 424Tierney on 13/11/2014
Locked my account by entering the incorrect PIN, told that a new one would be sent in the post. It arrived, still couldnt access my account, phoned up Cater Allen to be told there is also a pending password to be sent out to myself. ??? Where is it??? I was told it was only the PIN that had been locked, and would be sent out alone. 7 - 10 days??? How can you operate as a business with a bank like this. Also they have no App for Iphone, Android, Windows etc.... even through santander is the bank behind them, why can they not just piggy back onto the back of them. Was warned about santander/cater allen before I joined, but thought would give them a go due to the quick turn around opening the account compared with high street banks. Do youself a favour and wait... the wait will be worth it in the long run.
written by FionaLaw302 on 26/09/2014
I recently received a letter from Cater Allen saying (like with a previous poster), they would be closing my account. No reason given because "they don't have to". I am working overseas and this is VERY inconvenient. However, I have opened a new account with an offshore bank that actually pay pretty good rates of interest compared to CA. The other good thing is that the new account has proper internet banking facilities, unlike CA's appalling attempt to offer internet banking. Also, good riddance to the Cater Allen Debit card that never ever functioned properly. Most payment providers see their Debit card as a Credit Card and you get charged accordingly even though it's a debit card. All in all, its the best thing that's happened to my business account in a while.
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As rated by our community of reviewers
Cliff2015's Comment
Written on: 16/05/2015
"Not clue"? If you speak in English as poor as this to customer services anywhere, I'm sure most people would appreciate that in return you can expect a sub-standard service. Effective communication on both sides = effective service/resolution. Can you even dress yourself in the morning?