Cater Allen Avis 

While the people you end up talking to on the phone are helpful and mostly friendly, Cater Allen's digital offering is frankly embarrassing.
Most processes are not yet digitised. Long printed paper forms required to open a savings account or to do any other basic banking task. No app. No electronic statements.
This day and age this complete lack of digitisation is unacceptable.

Do not go anywhere near this bank. I signed up for business banking (which took MONTHS) and it's been one of the worst mistakes I think iv'e ever made. If you use Amazon, Ebay or paypal - Cater Allens system does not allow you to make payments to/with these companies. If you do not like having your card regularly and randomly blocked with no notification from the bank - then do not use Cater Allen. If you do not like clunky web banking.... you get the idea. LEAVE WELL ALONE

Everyone here mentioned that this bank has a website that is straight out of the 80s, but that is not even the worst part: if you want to make any changes, you will need to call them, or send a letter. Also, I have tried to set up my card on Amazon to pay for company-related items, but it still fails. I do not think it is ever going to work. I cannot believe I waited this long before I decided to leave, but I have lot all my patience; I am quite sure I will be long dead and this bank will be still stuck in the 80s.

Tried to open a business savings account, having been in business for over 25 years, with no credit or banking issues. The paperwork was back and forth for months, asking more information on this, that and everything else. Only to be told, two weeks after being chased that we "had not met their criteria". When i called to ask what was their criteria i was informed they were unable to tell me as it was internal policy. Absolute waste of time.

I would give it no stars if possible, they messed up a transfer then would not tell us why , then would not us change my phone number, they want it in writing? It’s like going back to 1980s , it’s a surprise when they get i right first time? So I asked to do transfer on phone they still did not complete transfer correctly, it’s become a headache, this is the third blunder this year they have made.

As a very long term Reserve Account holder we tried to open a Deposit account. This turned into a marathon which has taken over a month despite several phone calls made by to to try to speed up the process. Still no account has been set up so we will move our substantial deposit to another bank.

At one level their business current account works – The big problem is that website site is antiquated, they have no mobile app so really in the dark ages for customers on the move, and the customer experience is down right appalling. If things couldn’t get worse, I have been trying to open a savings account (Business 35) which after 2 months is still not open. Looking at others’ feedback during 2023 the bad reviews are a constant theme. Either time for this bank to pull its socks up with a major investment from its parent company, Santander, or just be cast to the rubbish bin. Time to call it a day.

Don't give them your business. Have been trying to open a basic Notice account for nearly six weeks. Anyone would think I am trying to complete a multi-million dollar transaction. I give up.

Absolutely hopeless - over a month so far just to change a signatory on the account. Insist on doing everything by letter and post (are they stuck in the 80s?!) Cant wait to get away from them!

5 months and counting to try and open a Business35 account. The left hand does not know what the right hand is doing. Shambolic.
I have banked with them since 2006 but will be leaving, the last 2 years have been a joke. If they can't open a simple account - would you trust them with your money???

A bank from the 1980s.

It's ok. It works. Kinda. Their online banking is something out of a 1980s horror movie. Looks like it's been put together by a computer engineer, with no thought about the user experience. And that's pretty important when you're trying to get things done.

Payments can be slow as they have to go through Santander. Personally I'd go with a better bank which has invested properly in its infrastructure.

Have tried since July 2022 to get paperwork returned. Always told they will return papers ASAP. Recorded delivery letters, emails and 100s of telephone calls fell on deaf ears. Everyone working from home. Totally incompetent and very worrying. Intend taking them to court.

Cater Allen could be likened to a painfully incompetent non-wizarding version of `Gringotts'.

The Bank is woefully backward in both how it treats its customers & how it reacts to any given request or situation.
It struggles with the most simple tasks & is painfully slow to action the subsequent complaints.
Failing to honor promises made by its Staff, It will do its utmost to avoid paying interest on your money for as long as possible.
However - If you like banging your head against the wall.....

The worst customer service I have ever experienced. Unless agents who do not want to help. Will be taking our business elsewhere.

Awful antiquated dinosaur of a bank.
Despite being now owned by Santander, the only way to pay in a cheque is to send to a PO Box somewhere in Harlow - with this current Royal Mail strike, forget it ever arriving there.
Why can't Cater Allen accept cheques via Santander branches? How hard can it be?
Furthermore, they have abandoned weekend telephone customer service.
I will move my bank account to a more "modern" bank in the new year - I have had enough!

A very slow, outdated bank. The online banking is years out of date and no app. Customer care is hit and miss, some are good, others just rude,with a take it or leave it attitude.

This is the worst bank ever. Doesn't have an app, the new online banking is still poor, error messages and things that don't work. I've had enough now so have asked them to close the account, which takes days to do anyway apparently.

Opening a Trust account with multiple Trustees and beneficiaries can be a nightmare. But I really can't thank Kaye of the Customer Engagement Team, enough for all the support she have given me over the last few months. The way in which she dealt with all the issues and kept me in the loop made me feel like I had a sympathetic friend at Cater Allen - always there to lead me through the fog! You are a real star! the veritable epitome of excellent customer service - something that is so hard to come by these days!

Used to be great, but now awful.
It's a shame as I used to recommend them but they have been going slowly downhill since the takeover by Santander. Just when I think they've reached the bottom, they get worse! There website was always poor but at least the call center staff were good, now I can't even get through to them. Avoid at all costs though I would be surprised if opening an account would be successful!

Brilliant service from Elliot, smooth and efficient with my issues, managing to sort my queries in great time.

Really pleased, thanks Elliot :)